Exporting
WHAT BETTER TIME IS THERE TO EXPORT.......? by David Sheppard Chairman, Sussex Chamber of Commerce.
H
ere we are with the pound at historically low levels and exporters, we are told, doing very nicely thank you. Well, if input costs are stable and especially if sourced in the UK, then exporters are over 20% more competitive than a year ago or alternatively 20% more profitable. If that isn’t sending you to the “me too” export counter
then you must be fat, dumb and happy… or just lazy… or just not well informed.
“Exporting is not just the domain of manufacturing but is applicable to the service sector as well” Of course, not every business has export potential, and most would only have potential if time was spent thinking laterally and doing research. Exporting is not just the domain of manufacturing but is applicable to the service sector as well, as many companies throughout Sussex have proven. Sometimes export success creeps up on a business by accident through a chance contact or referral but there are rich rewards to be had with a carefully planned and targeted approach. So, at first sight exporting seems full
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of pitfalls to catch the unwary business out. Language, culture, legal jurisdiction, approvals, finances, tax, documentation to name a few. But the UK, as a historically great trading nation, has steered through these issues for years and there is a mountain of experience out there to call upon. Remember “Brand UK” is still a powerful force in international trade and forms a key part of our government’s industrial strategy. Mind you, government never fails to make things more complicated than it needs be for business. Witness the recent metamorphosis of UKTI (Department of UK Trade and Industry) into DIT (Department of International Trade) and the uncertainty on the role it is expected to play. Suffice it to say that despite the confusion, there are a cadre of experts out there to guide you through the process and provide invaluable insight. If there were any doubt, and to prove his commitment,