News & Blog

Read the latest business news, blogs and thought leadership articles from our members, as well as updates on the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce's work in the city.

News & Blog

Cole Delivers Ambitious But Deliverable Plan To Grow Exports

Posted: 24th June 2015

Scottish_Chamber_logo

The Cole Commission on Exports has today published its final report on how Government can best support UK businesses to achieve our maximum export potential.  In welcoming the report as a major step forward in terms of setting out an ambitious and deliverable plan for raising the bar on exports, Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:

“This important report seeks to ‘turn up the dial’ on UK exports and sets out an ambitious but achievable plan for Government to focus its engagement with business, in partnership with the private sector, to help increase British exports and ensure future business success.  Crucially it does not seek change for change’s sake but instead looks to build upon existing models with a track record of success, focusing ever more strongly on business needs.  It also recognises the role that our education system has to play in terms of developing our indigenous talent and harnessing skills from across the globe.

“There are strong messages for the UK and Scottish Governments in terms of how they support exporting ambitions.  In particular, there is a recognition that there are some things that the Government can do best and there are some things that the private sector is best able to achieve.  Business value the advice and support provided by other business people and this is particularly true when it comes to our small and medium sized businesses.  The vision of a ‘One Stop Shop’ for exporting support, delivered by the local Chamber of Commerce network and tapping directly into the expertise of trusted business people at home and abroad is exactly what business has been calling for and needs to be implemented urgently.  However Chambers of Commerce will not wait for Government to act – we will continue to deliver high quality exporting services to business across Scotland.  There is no need for the public sector to duplicate an already successful model – instead, we must build on its strengths.

“Graham Cole and his team have produced a series of first class recommendations with a deliverable timetable of action for our Government.  It seeks action from our politicians at the highest level, placing internationalisation at the centre of the Cabinet’s agenda.  The Commission has been led by business and it time for Government to listen to what we have to say.”

Business Comment

Business Comment is the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce’s bi-monthly magazine. It provides insight on Edinburgh’s vibrant business community, with features on the city’s key sectors, interviews with leading figures and news on new business developments in the capital.
Read more here