Small businesses encouraged to consider exporting

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 20th Jul 2010

The FSB in the North East is encouraging all small businesses in the North East to consider exporting as a route out of the downturn. A report published by the European Commission on 5 July 2010 has found that approximately 25% of small businesses export or have exported in the past three years. The benefits of exporting, the report shows, include greater job creation and increased innovation within small businesses.

Simon Hanson, North East Policy Manager, FSB said:

"The report from the European Commission clearly demonstrates the potential for small businesses in the North East and the wider economy in the region. Those that export tend to be more innovative, create more jobs and as a result perform above average.

"The FSB is encouraging all small businesses in the North East to consider exporting as a key market to drive the recovery of the economy. The North East will face a number of challenges with the public spending slowdown with small businesses facing stronger competition for public sector contracts.

"We will be working over the next year to help raise the potential benefits of exporting to our members and helping those that want to take advantage of the global marketplace."

Fiona Hall, Lib Dem MEP for the North East, said:

"It is very encouraging to see that internationally active SMEs are usually more innovative, perform above average and create many jobs in the process.

"The European single market offers a great opportunity for North East businesses to export and expand, with its unrestricted access to almost 450 million customers - and breaking into new markets is especially important at times of economic hardship.

"For trade within the EU, there is much support and advice provided by organisations such as the Federation of Small Businesses and the Enterprise Europe Network."