THIRTYEIGHT per cent of North-west importers quizzed in a survey said they imported goods and services because they could not source them in the UK. The Regional Importers Survey, sponsored by Barclays Trade Services, also prompted the response from 50 per cent of respondents that they could get goods cheaper overseas. These factors are leading to an increase in imports.
The research also showed that importers as a group are one of the major balance of payments earners for the UK with 83 per cent of North-west firms re-exporting at least part of the goods they imported.
Growth
Mr Richard Groves, a director of Barclays Trade Services, said: "We are increasingly familiar with the growth in imports into the UK, especially at this time of year when many Christmas goods are imported.
"But the research shows that importers are very much involved in exporting and adding value to products.
"This, together with their ability to source goods unavailable in the UK, shows the importance of importers to the prosperity of the UK."
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