Businesses across the Sheffield City Region are being given the support they need to grow their exports.

The new Sheffield Export Support Programme, created by the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce at the end of 2011, is working with more than 20 SME's from the region to increase their sales around the world. 

Utilising funding left over from Business Link South Yorkshire reserves to start it off, the programme brings together business advisors at Sheffield Enterprise Agency with staff at South Yorkshire International Trade Centre (SYITC). 

The advisor team has been tasked with identifying potential export opportunities and to advise companies accordingly, working with SYITC to deliver the relevant technical support needed.

Paul Tinsley, business support manager at Sheffield Enterprise Agency, said: "The programme fills a gap in the market to provide the confidence needed for businesses to start exporting for the first time or for existing exporters to grow their exports into new countries. 

"The approach of the adviser team is to drive the export agenda as a means of accessing new markets, therefore creating more profit and employment opportunities for Sheffield companies, which in turn has a positive effect on the local economy.

"Amongst other things the programme has injected additional resource in to the development of training and awareness, and allowed advisers to spend time honing their knowledge of the export agenda."

The aim of the Sheffield Export Support Programme has been aided with the results of a recent survey by SYITC and Sheffield Hallam University of local companies on the issue of exporting.

Out of those surveyed, 52 per cent are already exporting, 22 per cent export occasionally and 26 per cent did not currently export. Of the companies currently exporting, 96 per cent are looking to expand their markets 

Meanwhile, of those who have not exported, 29 per cent have a product ready for export. The main reasons the businesses gave as to why they have not exported were a lack of market knowledge, fear, and limited understanding of which countries want their product.

Michelle Daniel, the manger of SYITC, added: "The Export Programme will now work with these businesses to help answer the questions they have on exporting and provide them with the tools needed to take their product to markets around the world.

"We want to maintain momentum with the SMEs we are interacting with and provide support wherever we can to help export these products. There is a real growth opportunity for the city region and the Chamber is investing, time, expertise and guidance to deliver real value by helping businesses achieve economic growth."

Richard Wright, executive director of the Sheffield Chamber, said: "Increasing exports and reducing imports is absolutely vital if we need a buoyant economy locally and nationally. I have exported all my life and I know it's not easy, even if the rewards are high.

"The Chamber can develop relationships in a number of strategic areas of the world and understand all the details involved in trading with them and this is a real value added for any business, especially SME's which do not have the massive support structures in their business.

"I would urge any business who wants to export to contact Paul or Michelle and we will help them as much as we can and ensure they interact with our contacts."