This news comes as the International Trade Secretary Liz Truss returned from a visit to Tokyo last month where she launched her 'call for input' to underline the government's commitment to reaching a free trade agreement with Japan as soon as possible.
AbBaltis is based in Sittingbourne and specialises in creating diagnostic samples specific to market regulations, something that is in demand in Japan where a lot of biotechnology companies work internationally.
The company already supplies blood plasma to disease-testing businesses across Europe, North America and Asia.
Giedre Brandao, Managing Director at AbBaltis said:
One of the biggest challenges for a business that's new to exporting or to a market is getting a foot in the door and making that first point of contact.
Now that we're establishing our presence in Japan, customers are reaching out to us organically. If we can do it, other businesses can too.
The company was introduced to its new Japanese customers at MEDICA 2017 in Dusseldorf - the largest trade show in the world for the medical sector, attracting more than 5,000 exhibitors from 70 countries.
The Department for International Trade (DIT) helped the business to exhibit at MEDICA 2017 through its Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) - which provides grant funding for businesses to gain market knowledge and make new contacts through exhibiting at trade shows overseas.
With assistance and specialist advice from its DIT International Trade Adviser (ITA), the business forged valuable connections with medical businesses in Asia which led to the company securing new customers in Japan.
Ben Raby, Head of the South East at DIT, said:
AbBaltis wanted to increase its international sales to new regions like East Asia and exhibiting at tradeshows is a great way to get your business and its products in front of potential customers.
Being face-to-face with these customers can lead to future sales, and ongoing business relationships. As demonstrated by AbBaltis, this can have a positive impact on turnover.
We'd encourage any business considering exporting to
