Small Business, Big World: Ways to Boost UK Small Business Exports
At the end of 2024, the work so far on the UK E-Commerce Trade Commission was compiled into a report titled ‘Small Business, Big World: Ways to Boost UK Small Business Exports’.
This pioneering industry-led initiative is the first of its kind, with the goal of empowering small businesses to thrive in the digital marketplace. With 70,000 small businesses ready to tap into cross-border online sales, worth a game-changing £9.3bn GVA to the UK economy, the potential is massive!
Summary of Six Key Recommendations
The report highlights six key recommendations to unlock this potential:
Integrated Industrial and Trade Strategy
Let’s bring the planned industrial and trade strategies together to drive business competitiveness and export success.
Export Advice in a Single Hub
Streamline official and private sector guidance for SMEs and consolidate access to high-quality advice and support in one easy-to-navigate hub.
Adopt Trade Tech
Assist SMEs to make use of technology by boosting digital advice and providing grants for the adoption of trade tech, making it easier for businesses to scale globally.
Use Technology to Streamline Growth
Integrate tech into the national trade process to unlock new opportunities and simplify international expansion.
Seize Opportunities in Emerging Markets
Let’s put a strategic plan in place to capture the incredible potential in emerging markets as growth is happening now!
Increase Female-owned SMEs Exporting
Put in place a targeted strategy to get more female-owned UK SMEs exporting, empowering women in business and creating a more inclusive global economy.
Building the Future of UK E-Commerce Exports
As someone deeply involved in the E-Commerce Trade Commission and global e-commerce, I am passionate about working to implement these recommendations. Together, we have the opportunity to make an extraordinary impact, helping small businesses expand and thrive across borders. The world is waiting… let’s grow global!
Report by the Social Market Foundation for the E-Commerce Trade Commission and Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade.