Which countries will you be exporting to over the next few years? How dependent is your company on the success of your exports and what barriers will you have to overcome?
We’ll be collecting answers to these and many more insightful questions over the next five weeks in the 2012 International Trade Survey, run by Trade and Export Finance Limited. TAEFL has been instrumental in gathering some of the most valuable data on companies involved with international trade and, since 1996, has undertaken the surveys in conjunction with the IOE.
The findings are presented to the Government, Bank of England and other UK policy makers, and represent the only readily available and current data that comprehensively captures the experience and needs of UK companies trading internationally.
With the clear message coming from the Government and other institutions that the UK needs to export its way out of recession, we’re looking forward to finding out how the current situation compares with previous years. For example, the 2001 survey revealed a number of fascinating trends, including:
- 50% of exporters, mainly manufacturers, believed that China joining the World Trade Organisation would have an impact on their business, with over one third of respondents believing that it would have a major impact
- Almost 40% of exporters were unaware of the support and services available to them
And perhaps the most interesting theme in light of the current crisis in Europe:
- Exporters were very much in favour of the Euro and wished that the Government would be more proactive in debate for the United Kingdom to join the Eurozone
The survey encompasses 10,000 exporters across the UK, with all respondents entered into a draw to win cases of wine, magazine subscriptions and invitations to exclusive conferences. The findings will be revealed at a press conference in London on 18 April, followed by a presentation at MACH 2012, showcase for the UK’s manufacturing industry, on 19 April.
We’d like to thank the other organisations lending their support to this project – including UKTI, UK Export Finance, ICM, Global Trade Review/Exporta and EAMA – and urge our exporters to fill it in and return the survey if they receive it. The findings will be vital to our evaluation of the UK export industry and will enable us to refine the support we offer all UK companies involved in international trade.
What do you think has been the biggest change in the last decade? Let us know below.
Lesley Batchelor
Director General