Barclays research shows positive impact of exporting on SMEs

NEW research from Barclays shows that business that export grow by almost a third in two years.

And a third of SMEs see a positive impact on their bottom line within just six months of expanding into international markets. More than half of them said this exceeded their expectations.

The research coincides with Barclays launching Business Abroad, a service intended to provide the tools and know-how that businesses need to instantly start trading internationally with confidence.

It offers free access to expert guidance, advice, workshops and tools, as well as discounts on international products and services. 

The bank’s research – carried out amongst 1,500 small businesses in the UK – reveals the rapid benefits of exporting, with 29% experiencing a positive impact on their bottom line within just six months of expanding into international markets. Eight in ten (82%) of businesses experienced a positive impact on their bottom line after two years of exporting.

Jeremy Stockdale, head of Barclays business banking in the Midlands, said: “Winning business overseas is a vitally important way for SMEs to prosper and help the economy grow out of recession.

“Our new research shows that in the challenging domestic market, exporting provides attractive new revenue growth for businesses of up to a third, boosting the bottom line and supporting job creation.”