A Kent firm which has sold goods in 80 countries will share its success story as the government kicks off Export Week.

Sevenoaks-based Armourcoat Surface Finishes will lead the Exporting for Growth seminar today.

Nearly 150 companies will attend the debate at the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel.

Decorative products manufacturer Armourcoat will reveal how it has built partnerships in the likes of Shanghai and Cape Town.

Managing director Guy Whitehead said: “Armourcoat has enjoyed huge levels of growth and has created exceptional career opportunities which exemplify what exporting can bring to Kent and UK companies.

“I am keen to make other companies aware of the opportunities that are out there. Without exports, Armourcoat would not have grown as it has.

“Such growth can mean greater employment for local people and will make a positive contribution to this country.”

Hosted by journalist and broadcaster Declan Curry, attendees will also hear from HSBC chief economist Mark Berrisford-Smith, talking about current and future international business opportunities.

Export Week is run by the government’s UK Trade & Investment’s (UKTI). Regional director for the South East Lewis Scott said: “We have worked with Armourcoat for nearly a decade now and although they export to a huge number of countries across the world, they are still growing and their ambition is impressive.

“Their fantastic success overseas is a shining reminder to other Kent firms that the sky is the limit when it comes to exporting.

“By following their example and by learning about the support that is available to them through UKTI’s range of services, it is my hope that Kent companies attending this Export Week event in Maidstone will seize the opportunities out there.”

Latest HMRC stats reveal that the South East continues to be the biggest regional exporter, with the total value of exports from the South East for the first half of the year at £22.6 billion.

Kent County Council’s trade development manager Steve Samson said: “We are convinced that there is a lot of untapped export potential in Kent.

“This event, along with a range of other trade-support initiatives, will help local firms to better understand the opportunities in overseas markets and how to go about accessing them.”

As part of Export Week, a week-long series of workshops, seminars and networking events will be hosted by UKTI.

Exporting for Growth is one of eight events across the South East.

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce business development manager Tudor Price said: “The Chamber has seen a significant uplift in the number of customers requiring export certification and the UK has been sending some unusual goods to far flung places.”