28 . Glasgow Business December 2015
does this through the ‘Smart Exporter’ programme. In the past fi ve years it has trained more than 4,700 companies in export skills, giving them the confi dence to ‘go international’. Of course, Glasgow Chamber
also provides plenty of valuable help and advice on the technical aspects of exporting, particularly its training on export documentation, but other added value services are being developed. In partnership with Clydesdale
Bank, the Chamber has launched a series of six International Trade Forums each year, which bring together exporters and international trade representatives with members to learn about export good practice and business opportunities. In the New Year, four ‘Behind the Scenes’ company visits have been arranged with local exporting companies so that members can get fi rst-hand appreciation of the business of fi nding and conducting international trade. Another exciting development
is Glasgow Chamber’s involvement with the British
Chamber of Commerce’s Global Business Network Forum, which is working to accredit Chamber of Commerce organisations overseas in a common standard to help promote international trade. Elaine Rodger, Glasgow
Chamber’s Head of Training and International Development, said: “T e Chamber was built on international trade and we feel there is a huge opportunity to be realised by tapping into the expertise in other Chambers overseas to mutually encourage trade. “T ere is plenty of support for companies looking to export so
the challenge is to encourage more companies to move out of their comfort zone and seek new opportunities overseas to expand sales.” Companies can also get
valuable advice from shipping companies, such as Searoute International, which has two facilities in Scotland that can handle everything from single pallets to multiple container loads. Searoute’s Alan Porter said:
“We’ve got great experience of shipping goods around the world. “Customer service is important to us, so we always take the time
with companies new to exporting to carefully explain the whole process, from packing and transport logistics through to regulations and paperwork, to ensure their products arrive at their destination in time and in good condition.” Suzanne Sosna, SDI’s Head of
Trade and Investment Services, understands the reticence of companies to export but said there was a huge amount of support available to give them the confi dence to broaden their horizons. She said: “For many busy
companies, selling overseas does seem a daunting, time-consuming and diffi cult task. T is is understandable and is part of the reason why there is so much public and private sector support available to businesses in Scotland to help them manage these concerns and plan for, and achieve, business growth through international sales.” “Don’t forget that help is at
hand in identifying advisors and partners and that hundreds of local businesses succeed in this every year.
Service at its best
SEAROUTE INTERNATIONAL LTD Liner agents: Project Shipping: Warehousing: Consolidations: Perishable cargo services
SEAROUTE SUPPORT SERVICES LTD Provision of temporary labour to support the heavy engineering industries
SEAROUTE PORT SERVICES LTD Ships Agents: Stevedores: Container Storage:
Searoute Group Ltd 15 Dunnswood House Dunnswood Rd
Cumbernauld G67 3EN 01236 861231
info@searoute.co.uk
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