eBay calls for SMEs to have bigger say on trade deals

The etailer issued the rallying cry two months ahead of Britain’s exit from the EU, as it released new data highlighting the contribution that SMEs have on UK exports.

The figures, gathered from the 200,000 UK-based SMEs trading on eBay, revealed that 64% of British sellers have exported products internationally. Export sales from those businesses have grown 25% in the past five years.

According to the data, the top three export markets for UK SME sellers on eBay are the USA, Germany and France, with products such as mobile phones, watches and laptops among the most commonly exported goods.

The biggest growth in exports from eBay UK over the past 12 months came from the Philippines, with CD, DVD and Blu-ray sales helping to boost revenues raked in from the country by 20%.

eBay said the data highlighted the contribution that SMEs made to the UK export market and wanted to ensure that the “story of SME-driven international trade is fully understood by policy-makers and trade negotiators”.

The etailer called for “the voices of these entrepreneurial exporters to be heard in debates over future trade deals” as the countdown to Brexit on October 31 nears its conclusion.

‘Contribution’

eBay UK vice-president Rob Hattrell said: “The debate about business in Britain has often ignored the contribution of UK small businesses to international trade. When it comes to the big issues like Brexit, trade deals, and Britain’s economic future, small businesses, which are the lifeblood of the economy, should have a far greater voice.

“The reason we’re publishing this data is to show there are small businesses up and down the UK working hard, day in, day out, to grow and build their businesses.

“Through eBay, many have become international exporters for the first time and been able to access new markets. It’s high time the voices of these entrepreneurs are heard.”

Secretary of state for international trade Liz Truss added: “SMEs are a great driver of the UK’s export success, and this data shows that. It’s more important than ever for British firms to take advantage of the global appetite for quality British products to grow their businesses and create jobs for their local communities.

“We will continue to support our SMEs to trade around the world now and after we leave the EU on October 31 and sign new trade deals with our international partners.”