The latest DHL/British Chambers of Commerce Trade Confidence Index report – which measures UK exporting activity and business confidence – shows that businesses’ confidence about future turnover and profitability is at its second highest level on record, and 40 per cent of firms are looking to hire more staff, the highest number on record.

Research revealed that export orders and sales in London increased by over 10 per cent for both manufacturing and service firms in the first quarter of 2014. The index number used to calculate the volume of trade documents, administered by Chambers of Commerce across the UK, now stands at the second highest figure on record.

The key findings from the report nationwide are:

• Confidence among exporters about future turnover (71 per cent) is at its second highest level on record
• More than one third of exporters said they expect to hire more employees over the next quarter, the highest level on record
• Half of exporters said their export sales increased, compared with only 6 per cent who claimed that they fell
• More than half of exporters (62 per cent) believe that their profitability will increase this year
• The BCC/DHL Trade Confidence Index – used to calculate the volume of trade documents administered by Chambers of Commerce across the UK – now stands at 117.03 – a 3.9 per cent jump on Q4 2013 and is the second highest figure on record

John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said “these results give us many reasons to feel cheery. There is much to be happy with in these results. Our exporters are selling more, and hiring more, showing ambition and willingness to export and grow their business. They are taking advantage of the opportunities on offer when breaking into new markets and it is great to see that the volume of exports is now at an all-time high.

There is however so much more potential to realise. The government’s target of increasing exports to £1trillion by 2020 is a difficult target, but not insurmountable. But these businesses, while making every effort to expand into new markets, cannot do it alone. Government and civil servants must also play their part so we can make real in-roads into high-growth markets. And we simply must spend far more on trade support than our current 0.02 per cent of GDP, if we are to rebalance our economy towards net exports.

The British Chambers of Commerce is doing its bit, by accrediting overseas chambers of commerce and business groups in 41 countries across the globe, so that business people have a first port of call when they step off the plane, where they can receive practical advice and support on the ground. But we can and must all do more if we are to compete on a global scale in the months and years ahead”.

The 41 markets are all included in the Overseas Business Network initiative which are considered to be key destinations for UK exports and trade partnerships. The London Chamber of Commerce is part of the initiative and has appointed a regional coordinator, Marilise Saghbini, to liaise with the overseas chambers of commerce and business groups and link them to actual and potential UK exporters.

John Bains, DHL’s London Director, put the report results into context: “Exports in the capital have risen over 10 per cent from last quarters, which is the highest increase we’ve seen in the country. It demonstrates that businesses in the capital are dynamic and driving forward London’s growth.

Looking to new markets, such as Brazil, remains key for growth. The 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games also demonstrate a huge investment in this territory’s infrastructure”.

The A.T.A Carnet has been a boon for business travellers and has made trade and border crossings easier for half a century.

Earlier in the year, the landmark birthday was celebrated by the World A.T.A Carnet Council, chaired by Cindy Duncan of the United States Council for International Business, and many national Chambers of Commerce, along with Customs participants during meetings of the A.T.A/Istanbul Convention Administrative Committee at the World Customs Organisation.

The A.T.A Carnet is a prime example of successful Customs business partnerships for promoting trade and investment. In addition, this partnership is instrumental for implementation of the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Trade Facilitation Article on Temporary Admission.

There are substantial economic benefits to be gained from temporary admissions of goods. The A.T.A Carnet System, which is based on the Istanbul Convention, is one of the most important internationally accepted systems for the movement of goods under temporary admission through multiple Customs territories.

The Administrative Committee discussed ways to improve the effectiveness of the A.T.A Carnet System including the development of a paperless A.T.A Carnet using the globally networked Customs concept to further facilitate trade. The committee also reaffirmed that cooperation between Customs administrations and issuing/guaranteeing associations is vital to enhance the effectiveness of the A.T.A Carnet System.

Carnets – basically an A4 document which incorporates entry and exit vouchers – are used for temporary exports of goods going overseas to trade fairs or exhibitions, for samples, and for professional equipment. For example much of the equipment that went from the UK to Sochi in Russia for the recent Winter Olympics went under cover of an A.T.A Carnet and kept Customs formalities to a minimum.

The London Chamber of Commerce are responsible for all A.T.A Carnets in the UK, and Blair Consular offers a comprehensive service from its Head Office at London Heathrow, where the London Chamber have an in-house office for stamping documents on the spot.