EVEN in the face of a strong pound, some companies in Bury and Bolton are actively seeking to develop new export business.

During the last 18 months, Business Link Bolton and Bury, through Bolton Business Ventures, has sponsored a programme called Pro-active Exporting.

This is designed to help non-exporters and exporters with limited experience.

The programme, run by management consultants Strategem Ltd, consisted of a series of workshops and practical support to help companies to increase export sales and profitability.

According to one business, which participated in the initiative, the workshops and support allowed the company to become familiar with export issues - to the extent that the firm secured an export order.

Howard Baron of Strategem said: "Exporting is not really an option for the vast majority of manufacturers: it is essential.

"Developing export markets helps companies to spread product development costs and survive downturns in the UK economy."

He added: "However, most smaller companies need help with export issues ranging from the selection of export markets through to foreign exchange risk management.

Strategem is a management and marketing consultancy with offices in Manchester, Stirling and Newport

The consultancy specialises in helping small and medium-size businesses to develop new opportunities and to adopt best-practice techniques.

For further information on help available for exporting, contact Julian Birchett, export development counsellor, at Business Link on 762 3300.

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