Member Article

Liverpool city region export centre launched

A dedicated export centre has been set up for Liverpool businesses wishing to engage in overseas trade.

The city’s Chamber of Commerce has established the centre in association with Export Britain, the new online export resource from the British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC), at its Old Hall Street headquarters.

The new space was launched yesterday (Wednesday 13 November 2013) as part of UKTI’s Export Week (11 – 15 November), a national week-long campaign to increase UK exports and grow the economy.

The new space provides a dedicated environment for existing and potential exporters to receive information on high growth markets, opportunities for training, events, and bespoke advice from the Chamber’s team of international trade specialists.

Barclays, which has sponsored the specially refurbished facility, has supported the venture with furniture, iPads pre-loaded with ‘access to finance’ information for exporters, and will also run a series of clinics.

Andy Snell, director of international trade at the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, said: “Our overall objective is to encourage businesses in Liverpool to get exporting. Inspired by the UKTI Export week and the national Export Britain campaign, our main incentive is to provide a one-stop-shop for established exporters in need of support and to those looking to expand into new foreign markets.

“It makes sense for the Chamber’s international trade team to have a space dedicated to offering this line of advice and help. We’re pleased we have enlisted the support in Barclays who have been instrumental in us introduce these unique facilities.”

Attending the launch event, Clive Drinkwater, regional director of UKTI north west, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Chamber has opened its new Export Centre in Old Hall Street as part of UKTI Export Week and we are very pleased to be partners in helping support Liverpool firms to go international.

“It’s increasingly important to get more businesses taking advantage of the benefits of exporting, not just for the local economy, but for the business itself. Exporting firms are on average 34% more productive and 12% more resilient. They are much more innovative and carry out three times as much R& D as non-exporters.

“We will be celebrating all that is brilliant about international business in 2014 at the International Festival of Business in Liverpool and the news of the new Export Centre is a significant boost to what we are trying to achieve.”

Simon Nicholson, Head of International & Trade Customer Networks at Barclays, said: “The Liverpool City Region is fast becoming an international business mecca, with next year’s International Festival of Business set to put a spotlight on the city and significant investment in the port making it a major international transport hub.

“At Barclays we have made significant strides to help customers begin exporting, whether through exports skills seminars, developing specialist export finance teams, or increasingly by lowering costs for businesses through deploying technology like video conferencing.

“Working in partnership with organisations including the British Chamber of Commerce, UKTI, as well as Local Enterprise Partnerships, Barclays is committed to helping even more companies in Liverpool prosper.”

“Figures show that businesses are 11% more likely to stay in business if they export and that for every pound spent investing overseas trade, a 22-fold return can be expected.

“The barriers to export can be around finance or expertise and we are delighted to be working with the Chamber to help businesses make their first tentative steps into overseas markets or expand their operations overseas.

“Exporting can help companies extend the lifespan of a product by selling in less mature markets. It can also help businesses spread their risk so that they are not overly dependent on one particular market.”

David Riches, Commercial Director at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The launch of the export centre by the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce is a great example of the type of export support that businesses can expect from their local accredited Chamber of Commerce.

“Businesses tell us that some of the main barriers to exporting are lack of market knowledge and access to opportunities – through our global network, Chambers in the UK and overseas are helping companies overcome the barriers and the Liverpool export centre will be a valuable resource for businesses in the North West who want to connect with the growing opportunities in key markets around the world.”

Max Steinberg CBE, chairman of IFB 2014, said: “Nurturing small businesses with support is a fundamental part of our future growth, and this new facility at the Liverpool Chamber will be a welcome addition to Liverpool’s business community.

“As the city prepares to welcome thousands of delegates from across the world at next year’s International Festival for Business, the new centre has come at the ideal time for Liverpool businesses.

“I urge business owners to take full advantage presented to them to build their knowledge on new global markets, discover where the best opportunities lie, and understand how they can grow their business globally and make the most of the global market place that will be in Liverpool next summer.”

The Chamber delivers a range of services to assist businesses from across the North West export, often in partnership with HMRC & UKTI.

Its services include the issuing of export certificates and the delivery of formal export training, leading to a recognised qualification in international trade. It also stages export-related events and seminars and organises international trade and market visits.

The Chamber issued 25,000 export certificates for Liverpool business trading in 136 countries in 2012, compared to just 18,000 in 2006.

Mr Snell added: “The vast majority of exports are to Europe – particularly Germany and France – and to the US. Beyond that, it is the Middle East and China where Liverpool businesses are finding success.

“Of the export licences we issued in 2012, almost 2,000 were to Saudi Arabia. The UAE came second (1,370) and China was a close third (1,200). But business was also done by Liverpool businesses in countries like Eritrea, Sudan and Papua New Guinea.

“HMRC’s figures for the wider North West are similarly positive and the region is now ranked third in the UK league table for exports.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .