Yorkshire SMEs urged to think global
The very good shape of the global economy, a weak
but stable Pound and extremely strong growth figures from a number
of developing countries means now is a great time for Yorkshire
businesses to be exporting. That was the message from leading
banking economist Tom Vosa speaking at the York St John Business
School Going Global event.
Presenting to 70 delegates from all sectors of
the York and North Yorkshire economy, Tom - who is Head of Market
Economics, Europe at the Yorkshire Bank’s parent company National
Australia Bank Group - explained how businesses from Yorkshire and
the Humber are already better at exporting than the UK average and
why there is excellent potential in certain countries.
Tom said: “In recent years the UK has achieved
good export growth in non-EU countries, the ‘Greater China’ region,
the US and OPEC countries. That means we as a nation are not
as exposed to the troubles of the Eurozone as we could have been –
and Yorkshire and the Humber even less so. But even here it is
not all gloomy when you consider the strong economic growth figures
from Germany.”
Poland and Switzerland were highlighted as two
European nations where UK businesses had done very well in
exporting terms, but the greatest future opportunities are set to
come from further afield, particularly China and India.
Tom added: “Growth in the strong developing
Asia region is unlikely to fall below 6% in the coming years and in
Sub-Saharan Africa growth is set to stay above 5%. That’s
significantly higher than any predictions for Europe, the US and
Japan where British exporting has traditionally been strong.”
A greater insight into one of these emerging
markets was provided by KPMG’s Director of High Growth Markets,
Mazyar Kotwal. He focussed on India, highlighting to business
owners and directors what they need to consider when planning to
develop an export market in the country and minimise risk. Mazyar
attributed the huge potential in India to the rapidly growing
proportion of middle-class people with more disposable income and
the Indian government’s massive infrastructure investment
programme.
The lecture programme was completed with
presentations from change management specialists Martin Carver,
Director of Harrogate based Primeast and Ed Reid who runs The
Alternative Board York. They explained how the decision to
start exporting represents significant change for many businesses
and this needs careful management and planning to ensure the
venture doesn’t end in failure. The event concluded with a
series of practical workshops covering international payments,
taxation in India and change management.
Jackie Mathers, Dean of York St John Business
School said: “Growing your business by looking overseas can be a
real challenge but, with the right support and guidance, exporting
offers genuine and valuable opportunities. With the insights
and advice provided by our experts at this event, I hope we’ve been
able to help delegates take another important step on the road to
exporting and future growth.”
York St John Business School is planning
future seminars and lectures designed to help local businesses
develop their skills and knowledge for exporting. To register
your interest, contact York St John Business School on
T: 01904 876915 or E: business.school@yorksj.ac.uk
Picture shows: Experts gather for Going Global, York St John
Business School’s special event dedicated to achieving growth
through exporting. (L-R) Brian De Vere of Yorkshire Bank;
Jackie Mathers, Dean of York St John Business School; Ed Reid of
The Alternative Board (York); Tom Vosa, Head of Market Economics,
Europe at the Yorkshire Bank’s parent company National Australia
Bank Group; Andy Sills, Audit Director KPMG; KPMG’s Director of
High Growth Markets, Mazyar Kotwal; and. Martin Carver, Director
and Head of OD and Change at Primeast.
For further press information please
contact Karen Nixon at The Partners Group
on T: 01904 610077 or E: karen@partners-group.co.uk
or Amy Hall, PR & Communications Officer on T:
01904 876466 or E: a.hall@yorksj.ac.uk
