Trade supremo seeks 1,000 new SME exporters
THE region’s international trade supremo has set a target of helping 1,000 new small and medium-sized companies start exporting in 2012.
Clive Drinkwater, North West director at UK Trade and Investment, will formally issue his challenge to the region at an event on December 12 at Manchester Airport, where he will be joined by trade minister Lord Green.
He told TheBusinessDesk.com that UKTI is determined to drive up exports and the number of exporters in the region, and is expecting a £45m boost for the body announced this week by Chancellor George Osborne will help him achieve his goal.
“I think we could see as many as 10 more advisers joining the team in the North West, which is great news.”
He said exporting is vital to success in tough times shows that evidence shows exporting firms gain a 34% boost to their productivity in the first year of trading internationally and are around 12% more likely to survive through difficult times.
Mr Drinkwater said: “With a world population of 7 billion and that of the UK in the region of 62 miilion, limiting yourself to selling to less than 1% of the world’s population (the UK) doesn’t seem like an ambitious plan for growth.
“You should look at the European Union as your extended home market but even that accounts for only 7% of world population. The opportunities in the rest of the world are incredible and growth in emerging markets is at a fantastic pace. By around 2020, China will be the world’s biggest economy with opportunities to match.”
Regarding the event on December 12 he added: “It is open to any firm thinking about exporting but unsure if it is for them.
“There’s never been a better time to start exporting so come along and see for yourselves how you can begin and the support available to help.”
To register for the event, sponsored by PwC and HSBC, email julie.kembrey@ukti.gsi.gov.uk
