Export levels among companies in the West Midlands grew in the first quarter of this year despite ongoing disruption caused by the pandemic and the new EU trading requirements, according to a new report.
Twenty per cent of businesses surveyed reported an increase in international sales compared to 17 percent the previous quarter.
However, at a time when 海角视频 firms were getting to grips with the new EU trading arrangements, the percentage of businesses expecting their international output to increase over the next three months fell from 19 percent to 17 percent.
The new export survey covers the West Midlands Combined Authority area and uses data collected by Greater Birmingham, Black Country and Coventry and Warwickshire chambers of commerce.
It said that 33 per cent of manufacturing firms surveyed expected their export orders to fall over the next three months compared to 23 per cent the previous quarter.
Greater Birmingham Apprenticeship Awards 2021
The Greater Birmingham Apprenticeship Awards are back for 2021
The event will be held at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham on Thursday November 11 and will celebrate apprentices, employers and training providers across 12 categories including our overall Apprentice of the Year.
The deadline to enter the awards is midday on Monday September 20 and sponsorship opportunities are also now available.
Please email richard.edwards@reachplc.com for details and follow the hashtag #GBAA21 for updates on social media.
For more information about our Apprenticeship Awards and other events
On the other hand, the percentage of service firms expecting to see an increase in international sales increased from 11 per cent to 13 per cent this quarter.
In terms of 海角视频 sales, there was only a slight improvement overall in the number of firms reporting an increase at 32 per cent compared to 31 per cent in the previous quarter.
Most Read
This is the highest figure recorded since the start of the pandemic and contrasts starkly with the 11 per cent recorded during the first national lockdown last year.
The number of manufacturers reporting an increase in domestic sales fell from 45 per cent in the final quarter of 2020 to 30 per cent in the first quarter of this year.
The percentage of service sector firms reporting an increase in 海角视频 sales rose slightly to 32 per cent from 28 per cent the previous quarter.
Business confidence has improved significantly with 62 per cent of firms expecting to experience an increase in turnover and 54 per cent of businesses reporting that their profitability was likely to increase over the course of the next three months.
Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: "The first quarter of 2021 represented one of the most difficult periods for British exporters in recent history with firms having to get to grips with the new rules and regulations following the 海角视频's departure from the European Union.
"Brexit has resulted in more red tape for businesses with many firms experiencing shortages and delays during the past three months which has pushed up the cost of exporting to the EU.
"Despite this upheaval, it is encouraging to see that the number of companies overall reporting an increase in exports rose from 17 per cent in quarter four of 2020.
Don’t miss
"However, the outlook for manufacturers in particular remains challenging with the number of firms expecting their export orders to increase over the next three months falling by ten points compared to the previous quarter.
"While some short-term disruption is to be expected, it is clear that some of the issues facing businesses cannot be attributed to just teething problems and will have a permanent impact on trade.
"While the £20m SME Brexit support fund is a start, we would call upon the Government to increase the amount of funding available under the scheme and take a more long-term approach to supporting businesses in adjusting to the new trading arrangements with the EU."