Chambers of Commerce Top Survey for Helping UK Businesses

24 June 2014

More businesses receive help with exporting through chambers of commerce than through any other professional body, including banks and trade association, according to the latest industry research.

A survey by the Institute of Export shows that a total of 58.1 per cent of businesses seeking exporting help received it through the chamber movement compared with 26.7 per cent assisted by UKTI, 15.3 per cent from banks, 11.4 per cent from trade associations and 4.6 per cent helped by the Institute of Export itself. 

The survey says: “Chambers of Commerce have been a fixture on the ‘support’ scene for decades, so their appearance at the head of the list of contacts for exporters is wholly understandable.

“The prominence of UKTI on this list is more recent and one to be welcomed. The fact that more than a quarter of all exporters have turned to UKTI for advice, information or other support suggests that the role of this organisation has become more clearly established.

“This contrasts sharply with exporters’ relationship with trade associations and their bank all of which might be assumed to be points of contact.”

Chamber International director, Tim Bailey, says: "These findings are interesting and very much reflect our own experience. As exporting becomes more mainstream we've seen a significant increase in the number of enquiries we receive from businesses."

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