BCC and Parcelforce Worldwide work together to increase UK exports

The British Chambers of Commerce and Parcelforce Worldwide develop further working links to assist UK businesses in understanding the export market

Exporting initiatives should be carefully planned, targeted and executed to achieve the best results according to BCC and Parcelforce Worldwide , but in 65 per cent of cases UK businesses become accidental exporters, stumbling into the market by chance. To overcome this problem, British Chambers of Commerce and Parcelforce Worldwide are furthering their links to provide potential UK exporters with impartial and informed advice on how to get the most from overseas trading.

A series of ten events will be run across the country, providing practical advice and assistance to help businesses plan and execute overseas export campaigns. Free information and guidance will be combined with an opportunity to meet and network with other businesses.

David Frost, Director-General of The British Chambers of Commerce, said: “BCC is committed to assisting businesses to trade overseas ensuring that UK exports add a significant contribution to European and global markets. Many companies do not realise that their efforts can be supported by information, knowledge and even research grants to investigate new foreign markets. We know that good advice from companies that are already exporting is invaluable, so we hope that these events will help a number of new firms to start marketing overseas.”

Research into exporters, 200 small and medium sized companies, by Parcelforce Worldwide also revealed that only 21 per cent of UK SME’s actively market their products overseas, with over half of them relying on word of mouth to get overseas orders.

Vanessa Leeson, Managing Director of Parcelforce Worldwide added: “Research shows that a one per cent increase in exports would generate an additional £1.8 billion of revenue for the UK. So even a small rise in UK exports would have a major impact on the economy.

“Most companies now have websites which provide them with an international shop front, so some get overseas orders without having any export strategy. We know that exporting can seem a daunting undertaking, particularly for small companies, so we hope that working together Parcelforce Worldwide and the BCC will help more companies realise the full potential of their business.”

For further information, please see: www.chamberonline.co.uk and www.parcelforce.com/exporting

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For further information please contact:BCC Media Enquiries:
Stephen Davie
College Hill
020 7457 2020
079 0343 4432

Parcelforce Worldwide Media Enquires:
Christine Gregory
148 Old Street,
London
0207 250 2417

Notes to Editors:

1. British Chambers of Commerce
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) represents, through a quality assured UK network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce, more than 135,000 businesses of all sizes in all sectors of the economy. Accredited Chambers seek to represent the interests and support the competitiveness and growth of all businesses in their communities and regions.

2. Parcelforce Worldwide
Parcelforce Worldwide is the UK’s leading provider of time-guaranteed express deliveries. As well as providing delivery to all 27 million UK addresses, it has access to the world’s largest delivery network covering 99.6 per cent of the global population in 239 countries and territories worldwide.