Bank offers support for nervy exporters

THE major barrier to small and medium-sized firms exporting is the fear of not being paid for goods and services, according to research.

Despite such concerns, a study by NatWest and RBS shows that a quarter of non exporters in the North West are confident their products and services would sell abroad. 

With growth stalling in Europe amid the continuing Eurozone crisis, nearly half of respondents, (46%) are looking at Asia and emerging markets as attractive options for export.

The key concern with trading in these markets is the lack of specialist knowledge. To help firms on their export journey NatWest and RBS are providing a free half-day consultation to advise exporters on various forms of payments available to them to successfully trade overseas.

Called ‘Export 360’ will provide a comprehensive review of their business and assessment of their day-to-day international arrangements. 

Aidene Walsh, head of UK Global Transaction Services at RBS, said: “Despite economic uncertainty, businesses are still hungry to trade overseas and 65% of them feel it is vital to economic recovery.

“The lack of tools and knowledge are clearly a hindrance and we are here to help them to take a leap into the exporting market“.

Companies who export may sign up by visiting: www.natwest.com/export360 or www.rbs.co.uk/export360