Manufacturers slam "shameless" government play on exports

Factories had achievied increased international sales largely off their own backs, according to WM's survey of nearly 150 site managers. Government support was erratic and insubstantial, grassroots operators claimed. One respondent said: "Time and again they cannot do anything for us and walk away leaving us to struggle alone, no different than for the last 30 years." Another added: "The government is shamelessly claiming that its policies and strategies are driving this so called 'golden age' [for exports]. This is blatant opportunism as the credit lies squarely with exporters." The comments follow the launch of a government campaign last November to boost the number of UK SME exporters from 20 to 25% of companies. Site managers named a lack of resources, regulatory burden and competition as their top barriers to greater international trade. The government has pledged extended financial and business support under its SME exporting the National Challenge campaign. But the move was too little, too late said respondents. "Exports are a long term relationship based area of business that cannot be just 'turned on' by government edict," one manager said. "China has its own ECA which goes to extraordinary lengths to promote exports. They grew 9%. Unless the UK upgrades its processes, the Golden Age of exports will be enjoyed by others that got there first". Nine in ten survey respondents drawn from sectors including aerospace, food & drink, electrical said they exported. BRIC countries were named the biggest market opportunity in 2012 closely followed by the EU. Latest trade data showed a rise in the UK's trade deficit to £8billion with exports dropping.