Unfounded export fears hamper global growth

The Barriers To Export study reveals that almost half (43%) of non-exporters believe they could increase revenues by exporting in just twelve months.  Of these businesses, 46% believe exports could boost revenues by more than 10% in the coming year.

Despite this growth potential, 84% of non-exporters have no plans to investigate foreign trade opportunities anytime soon, due to overblown concerns and perceived barriers.

Parcelforce Worldwide’s research shows:

• 24% of non-exporters believe exporting would be prohibitively expensive
• 32% of non-exporters claim they wouldn’t know which export markets to target
• 35% of non-exporters perceive their goods to be unsuitable for export
• 53% of non-exporters don’t think they have the on-the-ground resources or marketing needed to make exporting effective

In contrast, the realities experienced by exporting firms are very different, with the perceived barriers rarely preventing them from achieving success:

• Despite the recession, 17% of exporters began exporting within the last two years
• 42% of exporters are enjoying long-term opportunities, having exported for more than ten years
• 46% of exporters now get 40% or more of their revenues from exports
• Approximately 33% of these only started exporting within the last twelve months

The study also reveals that 22% of non-exporters agree that access to more advice and support or greater certainty over delivery would increase their willingness to export.

To help fulfil this need, Parcelforce Worldwide has teamed up with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) to launch a new export guide for growing businesses – Overcoming Barriers To Export – which provides a comprehensive introduction to international trading, the costs and charges involved, the key industries and markets to target, as well as how to negotiate risks along the way.

Susan Haird, acting chief executive of UK Trade & Investment, said: "There are particularly exciting opportunities in emerging economies and I would encourage firms of all sizes to think globally rather than just to more traditional export markets like Europe and the US."