Two of the UK’s foremost international trade advocates have joined forces to encourage more British businesses to rediscover their mercantile spirit during the recession.
David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and Lord Davies, Minister for Trade and Investment, are urging companies - especially SMEs - to recognise the numerous trading opportunities in foreign markets and to start exporting.
The joint call comes at the beginning of World Trade Week UK and follows the publication of the BCC’s international trade survey, Exporting Britain.
The report reveals that most companies export because they have been approached by their customers (58%), or by an agent or distributor (19%). Half of the firms polled said they export to specific markets because they already had connections there.
The BCC argues that these figures suggest that many businesses are not as proactive as they could be when it comes to exporting.
Other key results from the survey include:
43% of firms said they do not export as it does not feature in their business plan.
Of the 87% of exporters trading in Europe a minority encountered non-tariff barriers.
Help finding clients would encourage 21% of non-exporting businesses to consider it, while 16% would be incentivised by a ‘one stop shop’ that provided market research, legal advice and fiscal support.
Read more: http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/zones/export/press-releases/bcc-and-ukti-chiefs-in-joint-drive-to-get-more-british-businesses-exporting.html
Source: British Chambers of Commerce
www.ukba.co.uk
Showing posts with label UK Trade and Industry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UK Trade and Industry. Show all posts
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Saturday, 9 May 2009
Free flights, car hire and hotels for SMEs
British Airways has offered UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) 4,000 international return flights for its UK-based SME customers. The offer aims to help enterprising companies make essential trips to grow their business abroad in these difficult times.
Minister for Trade & Investment Lord Davies of Abersoch said this offer will help small and medium sized companies’ look to new business horizons.
“This exciting initiative has enormous potential. It shows what can happen when big business and Government work together to support British firms and the economy.
“Although the global slowdown has meant increased challenges for businesses, it has also created opportunities internationally for those that want to expand into new markets.
“Exporting companies are more competitive and resilient. Yet many SMEs can find it hard to break into new markets on their own. They overestimate the barriers and underestimate the rewards of exporting to key markets.
“This generous offer by British Airways significantly reduces the costs faced by UK exporters, allowing them to explore their overseas expansion potential."
Other partners include Avis and Accor Hotels.
Read more here: BA flights | Avis/Accor
www.ukba.co.uk
Minister for Trade & Investment Lord Davies of Abersoch said this offer will help small and medium sized companies’ look to new business horizons.
“This exciting initiative has enormous potential. It shows what can happen when big business and Government work together to support British firms and the economy.
“Although the global slowdown has meant increased challenges for businesses, it has also created opportunities internationally for those that want to expand into new markets.
“Exporting companies are more competitive and resilient. Yet many SMEs can find it hard to break into new markets on their own. They overestimate the barriers and underestimate the rewards of exporting to key markets.
“This generous offer by British Airways significantly reduces the costs faced by UK exporters, allowing them to explore their overseas expansion potential."
Other partners include Avis and Accor Hotels.
Read more here: BA flights | Avis/Accor
www.ukba.co.uk
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