The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Call for more overseas sales from Scotland
EXPORTS: Report says SMEs do not fulfil their potential in foreign markets
Almost half of all Scottish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have introduced new products or services in the last 12 months but a third of them do not try to sell abroad.
Business Minister Fergus Ewing said the disclosure prompted the need to further encourage SMEs to export.
The findings also come after the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply/Markit survey found the strength of the pound is holding back UK exports.
The SME export potential report came in a group of studies which also revealed a substantial growth in home-based businesses in the two years to 2014.
Mr Ewing said: “Fostering a culture of innovation, promoting inclusive growth and boosting Scottish trade on the international stage have all been identified as key priorities in Scotland’s Economic Strategy.
“These new reports will help us to better work with the SME sector to deliver them.”
Recognising the importance of SMEs to Scotland, he added: “The data also indicates where we can further concentrate our efforts – highlighting the considerable potential that exists in our SME sector to pursue new, international markets.”
A Dundee medium-sized enterprise with around 250 employees, specialist engineering company Galloway Group is continuing its international growth by expanding in the Far East.
As part of a partnership with its Taiwan-based licensee, Galloway plans to expand its Fenland Fireduct product sales to Malaysia, Singapore, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Japan and South Korea.
Managing director Jim Mathieson said: “Our Fenland Fireduct system is trusted and tested to very stringent standards. We’re excited about these new export opportunities, as Far Eastern markets are focusing increasingly on safer fire standards.”
He added: “Despite the tough trading conditions in manufacturing, we’re continuing to buck the trend and to open up new international markets. This new deal in Taiwan is an exciting one for Galloway as it will enable us to break into the massive construction market in China, currently valued at $2 trillion.”