News / News
Business: learn a language to boost exports
GetSet for Growth – West of England, an organisation funded by the Government Regional Growth Fund, have teamed up with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) to offer a workshop encouraging businesses to embrace thee language of their target market to boost exports.
Perhaps anticipating a different result in yesterday’s referendum, recent HM Revenue and Customs figures suggest that up to £900m could be available each year by improved exporters.
Held at the Engine Shed on June 29, the free workshop will help companies develop an export plan and encourage businesses to embrace the “linguistic and cultural challenges of trading abroad” to “take full advantage of the opportunity”.
“Each year, we estimate that language differences alone cost South West exporters almost one billion pounds in lost trade,” says GetSet for Growth director Phil Stott. “But this figure also represents an opportunity for West of England businesses thinking of entering the export market. This trade is potentially up-for-grabs for those willing to embrace new languages and cultures.
“Our regional export market grew by over 10 per cent in 2015 and is now worth over £15 billion each year,” he continues, adding that it’s a prime opportunity for SMEs to grow.
Founder of Bristol-based independent Portuguese wine importers Xisto Wines Anton Mann thinks making the effort to speak to his suppliers in their native tongue has strengthened relationships.
He said: “My wife and business partner, Lela, and I both took lessons in Portuguese and I can speak French reasonably well. Although my Portuguese still isn’t that great, the fact I try has made a significant impression on our suppliers with whom we have developed much deeper and trusted trading relationships.
“Many of them are in rural areas and we decided we couldn’t just expect everyone to be able to talk to us in English.”
The workshop will held at Engine Shed on Wednesday, June 29 from 10am – 12pm. It is free to attend but places are limited. See eventbrite for more information.
Read more: ‘Brexit would be devastating for Bristol’