EXPORTING


FOCUS FEATURE


“This great region is home to some of the most


entrepreneurial and innovative business minds in the country. We create, manufacture and supply an incredibly diverse range of products, goods and services. We are an ideas powerhouse and, in my opinion, are well placed to flourish in any new business environment. “There is no doubt that there are going to be some big


changes but it’s how we handle change that determines our success. You can either let it happen to you and pick up the pieces afterwards or you can confront it, shape it and – once the dust settles, which it will – be the one standing strong. “It’s my belief that the latter of the two options is the


best one to take and the Chamber is very well placed to help members shape a great future.” With regards to any economic uncertainty that could


make UK businesses pause for thought when contemplating exporting, Chris Fry, Senior Corporate Tax Partner at Chamber member KPMG – a global network of professional firms and part of the largest integrated accounting firm in Europe – is equally bullish, arguing: “It is not surprising that SMEs that have survived the global recession are choosing to focus solely on the domestic market in the UK, but it is short-sighted given the huge appetite for British goods and services abroad. “Making the leap into overseas markets is not nearly as


daunting as it seems on paper. There are some great success stories of SMEs that have achieved massive growth by successfully moving to overseas markets. “Linking in with organisations that run trade missions


Businesses can access support at every stage of the exporting journey


The former, especially, has the potential to influence the decisions of would-be exporters. While the UK continues to negotiate on a trade deal prior to leaving the European Union, there undeniably remains uncertainty and uncertainty is a foe of business. Yet many prominent business people highlight the importance of longer-term thinking and the opportunities that will arise from Brexit, irrespective of what that future looks like. The Chamber’s President, Rob Mayo, said as much in his


recent address to members. He argued that: “Only firms with the foresight to sow


seeds now will reap a post-Brexit harvest. I don’t know how many firms have realised that April marks the start of the financial year in which the UK could leave the EU if there is no transitional deal. But I make no apology for looking to the future with optimism, confident in our ability to take full advantage of the opportunities which undoubtedly lie ahead.


overseas or have good networks abroad is the first step on a journey that is not nearly as complex as SMEs believe it to be – and the rewards can be huge.” It’s a view shared by Suren Thiru, Head of Economics and


Business Finance at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), who argues that too few UK companies are taking advantage of international markets. “The world is full of opportunities for UK businesses.


British brands enjoy high status throughout the world, and they need to exploit this heritage to reach new customers abroad,” he said. “There are new markets beyond the traditional trading


areas of Europe and the US. It is just a question of evaluating the opportunities.” There’s one theme that commonly flows through much


of the rhetoric when it comes to the prospects of trading internationally, and that’s the comprehensive and ever- accessible level of support on offer to businesses looking to export for the first time, as well as those looking to expand their international horizons.


business network February 2018 47


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