Birmingham SMEs are tapping into export growth

THE fastest growing SMEs in the Birmingham area are focusing on exporting as a means to expansion, according to a new survey by Marketing Birmingham’s Regional Observatory.

Its research found that many small and medium-sized enterprises are establishing a presence in growing markets such as China, Brazil and India, which are exhibiting long term growth, rather than unstable markets in the Eurozone.

The survey –  commissioned by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP with Marketing Birmingham – reveals that over the next year two thirds of SMEs in the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP area expect to increase turnover and profitability – half by targeting export markets. Moreover, nearly a third expect export sales to increase.

The research coincided with a visit to Birmingham by trade and investment minister Lord Green. He was at the ICC yesterday to host a regional summit to promote support networks for SMEs and intermediaries looking to grow through exporting.

The summit is the first of a series of regional events to mark a national challenge launched by the Prime Minister in November to boost the number of UK SMEs that export – setting the target of getting up to 100,000 SMEs to either start exporting for the first time or spread to new markets over the next four or five years.

Andy Street, chairman of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP, said: “The aims of the LEP in terms of job creation are ambitious and if we are to achieve them it is important to gauge the optimism of our businesses. The Government has set the challenge for businesses to up their game in terms of exports and our research suggests they are doing just that.”

Neil Rami, Chief Executive of Marketing Birmingham, which operates Business Birmingham, the area’s inward investment programme alongside the Regional Observatory, said: “Strong performing SMEs in the Birmingham area are continuing to thrive in difficult economic times due to their proactive attitude towards exporting and international trade.

“Echoing the aims of the government’s export challenge, these businesses have recognised that the UK must look outward for opportunities if it is to drive growth and create jobs.”