Record number of businesses boost export knowledge

A RECORD number of Yorkshire businesses are attending and passing courses to boost their exporting and help rebalance the region’s economy, according to overseas trade specialist Chamber International.

In the first six months of 2013, 145 people from companies throughout Yorkshire – 23 more than in the whole of 2012 – have attended export courses run by Chamber International, which supports chambers of commerce and the Leeds City Region We Are International Campaign.

This year, 132 people have passed the British Chambers of Commerce courses with merits.

Leeds Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) We Are International export campaign is being delivered by Chamber International and aims to bring £2.6bn of additional export earnings into the ten local authority areas within Leeds City Region by 2018 and create thousands of new jobs.

Chamber International head of export training, Mike Strawson, said: “Growing demand for our courses is further evidence that Leeds City Region in particular and Yorkshire as a whole is gearing up for a significant export drive. We have never been busier.

“Interest is coming from businesses across the commercial spectrum, from national supermarkets and large plcs to a wide range of manufacturers and SME’s. Many which have previously been dabbling in exporting have discovered the benefits and now realize that with a flat domestic market they need to do it seriously to prosper and survive.”