SMALL businesses in the North East are being urged to consider exporting as a route out of the downturn.
Around a quarter of small firms have shipped their goods or services overseas in the last three years, according to the European Commission.
The report highlighted the potential for exporting to create jobs and increase innovation in the small business sector.
FSB North East policy officer Simon Hanson said: “The report from the European Commission clearly demonstrates the potential for small businesses in the North East and the wider economy in the region.
“The FSB is encouraging all small businesses in the North East to consider exporting as a key market to drive the recovery of the economy. The North East will face a number of challenges with the public spending slowdown with small businesses facing stronger competition for public sector contracts.
“We will be working over the next year to help raise the potential benefits of exporting to our members and helping those that want to take advantage of the global marketplace.”
North East Lib Dem MEP, Fiona Hall, welcomed the report’s findings and backed the call for more small firms to look at the export route to expansion.
She said: “The European single market offers a great opportunity for North East businesses to export and expand, with its unrestricted access to almost 450 million customers – and breaking into new markets is especially important at times of economic hardship.
“For trade within the EU, there is much support and advice provided by organisations such as the Federation of Small Businesses and the Enterprise Europe Network.”
