ABERDEEN: A leading business organisation has challenged political parties to start talking about encouraging international trade.
Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce says issues such as international trade have played only a minor part in election campaigning so far, despite their importance in supporting the UK’s future success.
Liam Smyth, membership director at the Chamber, said that more needs to be done to encourage companies to enter the global market.
“Figures released today show a strong level of success for North-east exporters but they also demonstrate that we are being held back from achieving our full potential,” he said.
“We need each of the political parties to tell us what they would do to support international business if they are voted into power.”
Regional figures from a survey released by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today (Tuesday) showed that more North-east firms recorded international sales growth in 2014 than the national UK average, at 69% compared to 59%.
But it is the long-established international players that are getting most of the benefits. Of the exporters that responded to the survey, the majority (71%) have been trading internationally for more than ten years, with none starting to export in the previous two years.
“One in five North-east companies who responded to the BCC survey said that international sales growth is critical to their survival,” said Mr Smyth.
“We need to know how new exporters will be encouraged and supported, and how existing exporters will be encouraged to enter new markets and these questions are not addressed in the various manifestos.”
The BCC survey found that nationally, firms considering exporting suggested that greater access to overseas distributors and partners, and increased funding and support, would encourage them to seek out international markets.
Mr Smyth said that Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has surveyed its members on what would help them.
“We already know from speaking to our members what specific measures would help – faster visa processing times, a fast-track passport system for exporters as well as more collaboration between different government agencies.”
“The debate so far has failed to focus on these issues that are so important to our nation’s future economic success.
“Politicians need to demonstrate not only that they are listening but that they have plans for action.”
