This year’s International Trade Survey of UK Exporters – spearheaded by Trade & Export Finance Ltd (TAEFL), in conjunction with the Institute of Export – is underway.
The latest in a series of 16 surveys that commenced in 1996, the 2013 survey provides the most up-to-date and comprehensive insight into the performance of UK exporters, the challenges they face and the real successes achieved.
Providing critical understanding for policy-makers, analysts and practitioners, last year’s survey highlighted that that demand for UK products was fuelling export growth with over 70% of businesses boosting their export drive and posting increased turnovers across 2012.
The findings of the survey, hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group chair, Margot James MP, were unveiled at the Palace of Westminster and revealed that companies with turnovers exceeding £1 million were marking the strongest growth.
This year’s survey will examine export performance over the last 12 months. Given the more difficult European trading conditions last year, it will also asses exporters’ responses to the Government’s aim to boost the number of companies exporting, and the success of incentives to diversify to non-European and Emerging Markets.
The Spring Fair at Birmingham NEC, attended by over 3000 companies, many of whom trade internationally, saw the launch of the latest survey which will be undertaken from February 2013 to 31 March 2013.
It will entail more than 20,000 companies across the UK being contacted, and surveys will be completed on the phone, via the websites of TAEFL and the IOE.
IoE Director General Lesley Batchelor said: “Last year’s survey became a key document in briefing various Government departments and featured heavily in evidence presented to the House of Lords committee examining UK’s export policies and performance. This survey will build on last year’s evidence and will measure how the Governments exports initiatives are benefitting exporters.”
Mark Runiewicz, CEO of TAEFL added “This is an exciting but difficult time for companies trading internationally. The Euro is at its strongest for a number of years, which is good for exporters. The availability of finance is a key issue. The debate is raging if the UK should be in or out of the Eurozone. This year’s survey will provide answers to these questions.”