Exporting isn't rocket science, it's just sheer hard work says one Essex businessman.

Godfrey Chasmer from exporting and distribution firm, Abbot International, Burnham-on-Crouch said at a European Enlargement Breakfast in Chelmsford that exports of shop display fittings and systems to countries like Russia had grown to as high as 40 per cent of total sales, but in recent times had fallen back to 20 per cent.

He urged companies in Essex to get their share of a potentially lucrative market.

The bad news, he added, is that competition, especially from UK companies and the lower cost based firms emerging in Eastern Europe, has been getting tougher and more sophisticated.

"We had great success in exporting our production from Burnham Business Park," said Chasmer, "which we combined with importing mainly from Asian countries and then re-exporting with added value.

"The snag is that some of those innovative companies who used to import Asian sourced products direct from us are now discovering that they too can import direct and cut us out."

Published Monday, April 21, 2003

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