We call on the Government to work with FBUK as a core partner to help deliver tailored advice and support to family businesses, to help them take advantage of new export opportunities and drive growth. FBUK have identified seven policy priorities to support family businesses looking to further their trade.
Policy Priorities
Export Finance Targeted at Family Businesses Access to finance remains one of the most persistent barriers to SME exporting. Although UK Export Finance supported over £575 million in SME exports last year [4] , only a small fraction of exporting SMEs currently use these services. Many still rely on overdrafts or loans rather than dedicated trade finance. FBUK believes there is a strong case for closer collaboration between Government, UK Export Finance, and business organisations such as FBUK to ensure that family-owned firms can access the export finance and advice they need. This should include tailored outreach and advisory services, flexible credit guarantees for first-time exporters, and small-scale grants or support mechanisms to cover practical needs such as translation, international marketing, and supply chain integration. We call on the Government to ensure export support and finance is better targeted to help family firms take their first, or next steps, into international trade, addressing the unique barriers they face. Further Skills Support for Family Businesses Keen to Trade Internationally Private family-owned businesses often lack the internal skillset to take the leap into international trade. Evolving trading conditions with our closest partners over the past ten years have affected both the skills and confidence of businesses to trade globally. Stronger signposting would support more family businesses in taking the next step on their international trade journey. Greater awareness of organisations such as the Business Academy and the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade would help businesses access the skills needed to manage international sales. Upskilling in-house trade specialists or accessing these skills externally from organisations that understand local markets, paperwork, and logistics, would allow businesses to focus on making and selling their products.
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