The countdown is underway for companies working in international trade to make their voice heard by taking part in this year’s International Trade Finance Survey – the longest running review of its kind in the UK.
Commissioned by the Institute of Export (IOE), conducted by Trade and Export Finance (TAEFL) and sponsored by AIG, the survey is the only independent research centred on UK companies who trade internationally.
Produced every year since 1996, the review seeks to explore the current issues, shifting patterns and changing conditions of international trade. Identifying the potential barriers facing UK exporters – both existing and potential – it determines their impact on companies who operate in global markets.
The findings provide a wealth of detailed research, which is vital in highlighting and addressing exporters trading needs – along with a raft of valuable insights into the emerging trends within international trade. This year the survey has been revised and shortened to generate thought provoking questions that will stimulate debate around the real needs of those involved in international trade.
The findings of the 2015 survey will once again be presented to government, financial institutions and other key influencers, on the 9th of June 2015 at the Trade and Export Finance conference in Birmingham.
Last year’s survey showed that:
• Over 58% of respondents, whose turnover was more than £10m, believed that EU membership was critical to their business.
• Only 12.5% of respondents were planning on entering new markets.
• 57% of respondents did not see the importance of training their staff in International Trade even though they understood the importance to their business of international trade.
• 44% thought that leaving the EU would have a negative impact on their business.
• 73% of respondents felt that their business was growing.
• 37% were planning on employing more staff.
• 72% of respondents were more confident about their business prospects in 2014 than they had been in 2013.
• 79% of respondents had felt that the risks involved in exporting remained stable or had reduced, although a significant 21% had thought that the risk was increasing.
