Exports for UK Small Businesses Up 6% on 2014
Germany found to be the top export destination for UK small firms, alongside France and the United States
UK small enterprises saw a rise of 6% in export payments from Europe from 2014 to 2015 , according to the new Barclays’ Business Abroad index.
Of the top 10 export destinations for UK small businesses, four-fifths were in Europe.
Germany was found to be the top export destination for UK small firms with a 6% uplift on trade in 2014 – followed by France (+19% uplift) and the United States (+2% uplift) in second and third place respectively.
The index also found growth in exports from the UK’s retail and manufacturing businesses in 2015, up by 36% and 10% respectively compared to 2014, despite a difficult year for the manufacturing sector.
Exports to China from the UK continued to grow at a steady rate, up 21% in the same period.
Steve Childs, head of international for business banking at Barclays, said:
“Our Index shows that UK exporting saw a small boost on the previous year, with the value of payments up as trading relationships grow globally.
“Long-standing relationships remain between UK businesses and European trading hubs such as Germany and France, along with the US as the top export destinations.”
