Avis has announced it is joining British Airways and The Daily Mail as part of the BAcking Britain campaign launched yesterday.

Avis is planning to support the airline�s offer of 5,000 free flights with 1,500 free car rental days for customers joining, or already part of, Avis Business Solutions � a bespoke rental scheme for small businesses. Additionally, a programme of enhanced rates and benefits will also be offered to members of the scheme. The offer will be available to SMEs to encourage business, trade and travel to stimulate business.

Anthony Ainsworth Director of Sales Avis said: �At the heart of the economy is small and medium business and they are suffering more than anyone during these difficult times. As British Airways exclusive partner and one of the leading car hire companies worldwide we want to help BAck Britain by offering preferential rental services to those who need it most - when they need it most.�

Anthony continues: �Travel is an intrinsic element of business today and with almost 4,000 car rental locations worldwide we can help meet business travellers needs better than anyone else. Now when business travellers arrive at their destination courtesy of British Airways, they can make the most of their vital business engagements by using Avis.�

The BAcking Britain initiative is designed to support UK SMEs relatively new to exporting or looking to expand into new markets with UKTI�s help. Independent research about UKTI�s customers found that more than half were experiencing increasing demand from abroad.

Avis is in the process of agreeing terms and conditions of the proposal with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), who is also backing the campaign along with British American Business. More details of the offer including how to apply will be available within the next few days � please visit www.avis.co.uk and www.ukan.uktradeinvest.gov.uk for further details.

Ends

Notes to editors: � Avis� offer is eligible to SMEs - applications will be assessed in line with terms and conditions before free car-rental is committed. � Backing Britain is a British Airways initiative to help small and medium sized British businesses beat the recession and regain their rightful altitude. The airline announced a �15million investment of free flights yesterday � Businesses who wish to help are asked to offer services and expertise that will add real value to small companies and all applications will be assessed. � Avis is dedicated to delivering a tailor made business service. We strive to treat each company - both large and small - individually and according to their specific needs. Bearing this in mind, we have created a number of flexible business options in order to save your business time and money � The European definition of a SME is a company with less than 250 employees, an annual turnover figure of 50m Euros and balance figure of 43m Euros. There are also restrictions on ownership. � UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the government organisation that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. UKTI also helps overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK�s economy � acknowledged as Europe�s best place from which to succeed in global business. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage. For more information please visit www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk or telephone +44 (0)20 7215 8000. For latest press releases, visit the online newsroom at http://www.newsroom.uktradeinvest.gov.uk. More information on UKTI can be found at blog.ukti.gov.uk; twitter.com/londonukti; and www.flickr.com/photos/tags/ukti. � BritishAmerican Business of New York and London is the leading transatlantic business organisation, dedicated to helping its members build their international business. They stand at the heart of the business relationship between the US and the UK and Continental Europe, with a membership of more than 700 companies and 4,500 executives in New York and London, and business networks covering 60 other European and American cities.

For further information, please contact: � Victoria Newlands or Steve Carman at Nobull Communications for Avis UK � tel: 01628 526208 or email Victoria@nobull-communications.co.uk � Kate Gay or Sophia Antoniades at the British Airways press office on tel: 020 8738 5164 or 020 8738 7330. Alternatively, please call the main newsdesk on 020 8738 5100 � Natasha Guerinoni, UK Trade & Investment press office, tel: 20 7215 4218, email: natasha.guerinoni@ukti.gsi.gov.uk