Mark Robson: Time to launch an exporting revolution

The answer is that trading overseas is both good for the economy and good for the businesses which engage in it.

Exporting is good for the entire economy because it generates just under one fifth of all income both in Yorkshire and nationally – that amounts to lots of invaluable jobs both directly and indirectly.

The gross value added (GVA) of the entire Yorkshire economy – representing the contribution to the economy of each producer, industry or sector – amounted to £102bn last year. The total value of exports from the county in that year was £16.95bn – therefore representing
at least 16 per cent of Yorkshire’s whole GVA.

Research shows that exporting is also good for businesses of all sizes: they are more productive, innovative and resilient to economic downturns, achieve a stronger bottom line, boost their reputation and profile and are more likely to stay in business.

There are many thousands of Yorkshire businesses selling everything from software to sweets and consultancy to car parts to all four corners of the world.

But many more could sell profitably overseas, so why don’t they?

For many it is something they have never seriously considered, maybe they have never had any enquiries from overseas or feel there would be no opportunities. I suspect, however, that there will be plenty for whom it is either in the ‘too difficult’ box or the ‘too busy running my day to day business and paying the bills to bother’ box.

It is true that selling overseas can be hard work but it can also be as easy as putting a product in a packet and posting it to someone in another country or, for businesses with non-physical products, just selling a licence or sticking an attachment on an email. In most cases it is much less difficult than people imagine, it is just a bit different.

As an analogy, it is maybe easy to
 think about the introduction of computers and the introduction of email which rapidly became the normal way for people and businesses to communicate.

Whilst it is perhaps 25 years since personal computers first became available on the mass market and email started, it is comparatively recently that the internet has become the first stop to find information. But to readers under the age of 15 there will be no memory of not being able to use a computer or tablet. Those under five have no memory of not being able to use a phone to search or to buy products online.

To me, the launch of Exporting is 
Great really needs to be the start of a similar revolution, where trading internationally moves from being a comparatively minority activity to being the new normal – something that is as routine as searching the internet for information.

Of course this analogy is particularly relevant as the world has become ever more globalised and digital. A good web presence makes you visible to anyone in the world and there are many companies who get their first international business from an enquiry through their website.

Other changes have helped make selling overseas simpler in the past few years: translation is easier and cheaper, as is contacting people by email and phone. The growth of global banking and legal businesses, as well as cheaper travel are other factors. One big area has been reduced trade barriers between countries, and the big one in the near future will be a free trade agreement between the EU and US.

It means the potential for businesses in Yorkshire to reach out to new customers and lucrative markets beyond the UK has never been greater.

While we have some way to go to make exporting part of normal business, the opportunities are there for Yorkshire businesses overseas.

UKTI and our partners throughout Yorkshire are determined to help local companies succeed in the global race. We’re already working with thousands of companies across the region to do just that – we want to help a great many 
more.

Making exporting the new normal for local businesses is a big challenge, but one that we’re up for.