The Independent Cole Commission was set up in September 2014 to review what changes were needed to improve Britain’s export performance. The final report of this Commission has just been released.
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:
“Norfolk Chamber was able to input a number to times into the recently released Independent Cole Commission report, led by Graham Cole of AgustaWestland. We felt that exports needed a higher priority within Government and more support was required for small and medium businesses looking as trading internationally. It is pleasing to see that many of our comments have been taken into account within the final report.
We will be working closely with the British Chambers of Commerce and our local MPS to ensure that these recommendations are taken seriously. However the Norfolk Chamber is already delivering solutions to exporters every day through training, advice, documentation, translations and carnets.”
John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:
“With the UK set to miss the Prime Minister’s 2020 export target by over £300bn, it’s clear that the current approach to export isn’t working.
“The Cole Commission is right to call for a radical shake-up that places trade at the very heart of government activity. The Commission’s Action Plan sets out a number of realistic and positive steps that would make a demonstrable difference – from Cabinet-level backing for exports to the re-focusing of UKTI on larger, more complex trade deals.
“While the government decides what it will do next, we won’t wait. The British Chambers of Commerce will continue to grow our global business network and deliver real, practical and sustainable support to UK exporters around the world, with or without government support. As the Cole Commission report states, no other organisation has the same local and international footprint, infrastructure, or the entrepreneurial flexibility needed to help small and medium-sized companies meet their export and trade ambitions.
“The onus is now on the government to demonstrate that it is ready to radically change its approach, and set a credible plan to meet its own export targets.”
