A sea change in the business community’s approach to exports will be a key determinant of whether Northern Ireland can become a thriving economic force, according to Mark Nodder, Wright Group, speaking at ACCA’s (Association of Chartered, Certified Accountants) Business Leaders’ Forum at the Merchant Hotel today.

The Ballymena based Group Managing Director, whose company exports throughout Asia, Europe and the US, was speaking at the ACCA event ahead of today’s Northern Ireland Investment Conference.  He outlined the considerable gulf and challenges that need to be addressed to bridge the export gap with only 1.2% of Northern Ireland businesses providing goods and services overseas.  In addressing the fact that the local export market is so narrowly based, he called for businesses to generate opportunities by looking beyond the considerable challenges within Europe and seek growth opportunities in new emerging markets.

Mark Nodder commented, “A recent UK wide survey by the Chamber of Commerce has shown that 40% of businesses are active exporters.  Northern Ireland’s export impact does not come close with 5% of businesses accounting for 90% of our total exports and we must forensically address the issues which are prohibiting businesses from exporting and make them more attractive to overseas markets.   A dearth of access to finance, lack of market intelligence, knowledge of available support, as well as the challenges of regulatory, legal and overseas requirements must be overcome.

“Economic stagnation in Europe has been well documented but as a business we have seen the opportunities that are available in emerging markets such as Asia, India, Latin America and the Middle East. Companies need to look at how they can adapt their business to take advantage of these opportunities and the ambassadorial role of the Northern Ireland Executive in partaking in overseas trade missions is crucial in this process and must continue.

“There are some positive signs with recent research from Invest NI indicating that there has been a 20% increase in manufacturing exports and 60% growth in the emerging markets. However if we are to reverse our current economic drivers and develop a robust balanced economy, the considerable barriers to the growth of business exports must be addressed.

Joan Ballantine, Chair of ACCA Ulster Members’ Network, echoed Mr Nodder’s comments about the important role that exporting pays in helping to rebuild our economy, adding “If we are to see a significant uptake in the level of export activity Northern Ireland businesses need help to break down the barriers to export and be aware about the opportunities that exist to help rejuvenate export led growth. It is vital that businesses are equipped with the knowledge and skills, particularly in relation to access to finance, to enter overseas markets.”

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Notes to Editors

1. ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants. We aim to offer business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.2. There are over 20,000 members and students in Ireland.3. We support our 162,000 members and 428,000 students in 173 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. We work through a network of over 89 offices and centres and more than 8,500 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through our public interest remit, we promote appropriate regulation of accounting and conduct relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.4. Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. We believe that accountants bring value to economies in all stages of development and seek to develop capacity in the profession and encourage the adoption of global standards. Our values are aligned to the needs of employers in all sectors and we ensure that through our qualifications, we prepare accountants for business. We seek to open up the profession to people of all backgrounds and remove artificial barriers, innovating our qualifications and delivery to meet the diverse needs of trainee professionals and their employers.