The MicroTrade survey results on cross-border trade included:
72% of respondents had less than 10% existing cross-border sales
82% expect to increase cross-border trade in next 12 months
57% claimed slow-down will not affect their cross-border plans. The largest barrier to cross-border trade, at 67% was 'lack of knowledge of local business opportunities', followed by 'exchange rate issues' (33%).
72% found availability of funding to be 'very beneficial'
74% of responses had less than 6 employees
60% of responses had a turnover of less than £200,000
The fact that, even with the current economic travails, 82% of companies still expect to increase cross-border trade is encouraging. MicroTrade Phase 3 will address the issues of ‘lack of local business knowledge’ and the need for additional funding. The intention is to commence Phase 3 on June 1st.
In the meantime, I am including information on a number of events & funding opportunities that should provide valuable assistance to your clients in the coming months.
These include, amongst others:
MicroTrade Trade Visit to Belfast, May 27th/28th
iPhone Developers Workshop, Dublin & Belfast, April 23rd/24th
Launch of ‘Your Europe – Business’ website - Extremely useful to companies Exporting! Belfast Public Sector Sourcing Initiative, June 4th.
Invest NI’s ‘Build to Win’ Guide to London Olympics 2012
IQ Prize of €10,000 for best Internet Business Plan