Despite positive figures emerging relating to business confidence and export levels, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) director general John Longworth says that the UK must create an environment that ‘makes it worthwhile’ for businesses to export if the government target of £1 trillion is to be met by 2020.

Figures released by the BCC and logistics business DHL finds that, of the 2,300 exporters quizzed, more than two thirds are forecasting an uptick in turnovers during the next year – up from 60 per cent at the same time in 2013.

Furthermore, the volume index of trade documentation issued by Accredited Chambers of Commerce now stands at 119.27, the highest level on record.

Longworth comments, ‘There is still more the UK can do if it is to reach its full exporting potential. Our international trade survey published recently showed that less than half of businesses have ambitions to grow overseas.

‘I understand this to a degree, as I speak to businesses that have full order books here in the UK and don’t see why they would need to start selling abroad. This is why we need to transform the domestic mindset of those businesses by creating an environment that makes it worthwhile for them to export.’

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Other key figures to emerge from the BCC and DHL Trade Confidence Index find that it is manufacturing firms that are most confident about turnover growth, with service sector firms noting a drop in optimism. The highest increase in exporting activity has been registered in the East Midlands, with Northern Ireland and Yorkshire and the Humber following shortly afterwards.

Recruitment intentions are up 10 per cent since the second quarter of 2013 and 35 per cent of exporters revealed an improvement in cash flow during Q2 of 2014.

Phil Couchman, CEO of DHL Express UK and Ireland, adds, ‘We must make sure that UK businesses are not only equipped with the information and resources they need to do this [export], but that there is ongoing investment to help them on their path to meet the government’s 2020 export target.

‘Our own commitment in investing £156 million shows our commitment to UK businesses and our confidence in the UK export market.’