Yorkshire leads the way as high numbers export technological equipment
9 July 2015
THE head of a Bradford-based international trade body says interest in selling abroad is growing and a new report shows that more than half of Yorkshire's small and medium firms are exporting.
Tim Bailey, trade director at Bradford-based Chamber International, says the body has received 111 enquiries from new firms looking for export advice in the first quarter of the year.
" That's an encouraging sign that interest in selling overseas is growing as these are enquiries from businesses we haven't dealt with before. It seems that more companies are rising to the challenge of exporting and are seeking various types of support and advice," he said.
Chamber International provides a wide range of services, including documentation, trade dispute arbitration, certification and customs advice to companies nationwide.
It is also responsible for staging events for new and emerging exporters for the Leeds City Region LEP's We Are International campaign which aims to add £1.6 billion to the city region economy .
Tim said more than 600 business people had attended the 12 events held to date, with the next one due in September.
"The campaign is proving helpful to those either considering exporting for the first time or looking to develop their international trade," said Tim.
New research by FedEx Express, released as part of the second annual FedEx Great British Export Report, shows that exporting SMEs are helping to narrow Britain's £2.8 billion trade deficit.
It shows that 52 per cent of Yorkshire SMEs are exporting, with 34 per cent shipping technological equipment - higher than anywhere else in Britain.
Of Yorkshire firms exporting to Europe, 54 per cent sold at least £5,000 of goods and services per month.
The survey showed that optimism about exporting is high with 64 per cent of regional SMEs expecting to be generating revenue from both domestic and international business, or solely international business , while 73 per cent believe they will be generating higher revenue from exports in five years .
Trevor Hoyle, FedEx Express, vice president, Northern Europe Operations, said: “British SMEs are a driving force in improving the economy The report shows that SMEs recognise how lucrative exporting can be for their business and as result more are going global, actively helping to reduce the deficit.”
The report shows that the average SME exports £553,000 a year to Europe and imports £535.000, an average net surplus of c£18,000 .The average SME exports £714,000 a year outside Europe while importing £410,000, an average net gain of around £304.000.
“The SMEs we help to go global are talking to us with a real sense of positivity and they understand there’s a whole world of customers out there to tap into,”Mr Hoyle added.
Source: The Telegraph & Argus
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