The number of North East businesses exporting their goods could more than double if the region released its full potential for international trade, a new report from Heathrow airport says.
At the moment 2,387 companies across the region export goods, but Heathrow’s new Exporting Excellence study suggests a further 3,600 SMEs could also become exporters. As part of its campaign, the London airport teamed up with the North East Chamber of Commerce and spoke to regional businesses about their exporting ambitions and the obstacles in their way.
The report shines a light on current North East exporters, but says a range of challenges could be overcome to drive up jobs in the region and accelerate growth across the 海角视频. It says over 25% of businesses in the North East currently export, with the total value of goods topping £12.9bn while supporting 168,000 jobs.
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Manufacturing firms especially benefit from domestic and international connectivity through Heathrow, and advanced manufacturing, offshore energy, healthcare and pharmaceuticals have all been earmarked for export growth across the North East. Unlocking the full capacity would increase the number of exporters in the region by 150%, the report says.
Exporters identified a number of challenges needed to be overcome to accelerate international trade, including sustainability, a skills gap, access to finance and the need from Government for a strategic plan for export growth.
Ross Baker, Heathrow’s chief commercial officer, said: “Exporting is vital to the North East economy and its exporters have provided valuable insight for the Exporting Excellence campaign, detailing their own experiences on what is working well and where obstacles remain. Their insights have also informed our report, which we hope will kick start a conversation across the 海角视频 about how Government, industry and Heathrow can work together to grow international trade and encourage more and more businesses to export.”
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John McCabe, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, said: “We’re delighted that Heathrow wanted to work in partnership with us to improve business conditions in international trade. There is a huge opportunity for us to do much more in this vital area of work. In the run up to a general election, it is vital we hear from our members on what they’re doing on the global trading front and the opportunities and barriers they’re facing.
“The 海角视频 has the potential to become a global leader in customs and trade processes through modernisation and digitalisation, and businesses at the roundtable highlighted the need for paperwork to be reduced to make exporting easier. Clarity, consistency and ambition in governmental approaches to international trade are key. The more businesses we can get over the line and trading internationally, the quicker and more effectively we will create a stronger economy, for the region and the whole of the 海角视频.”
The report warns: “While regional exporters are constantly innovating, the exporting process hasn’t kept pace. In 2022, exporters submitted 95.1m customs declarations, each including an export declaration, commercial invoice, and consignment note – potentially spanning up to 12 pages. There are clear actions the Government can take straightaway. Moving towards a paperless system with a ‘once-and-done’ data approach will simplify exporting and lower costs for traders and their customers.”
Other recommendations include a Government-led campaign to encourage more young people to consider careers in logistics and exporting, as well as a call for the urgent roll out of the Government’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Delivery Plan.