Sources of finance for an export-led strategy

Many thanks to Mike Slark for suggesting this useful resource which links two important topics for A2 business students - growth into international markets, and financing a more complex business. The article in the Telegraph explains how the Government has launched a series of finance and insurance products to help small business exporters grow sales overseas. There has been some evidence recently that SMEs in the UK remain reluctant to develop their export revenues and one reason (though not the most important one) is the perceived financial risk of selling to customers overseas. Will these government initiatives prove effective?

As Mike also points out, the government needs to be seen to be doing all it can to support its objective of rebalancing the economy (away from financial services and towards manufacturing). Encouraging more exporting by UK firms has a key role to play in meeting that aim.