Attended by representatives of accountancy and legal firms, specialist service providers, banks, chambers of commerce, trade bodies, UKTI, universities, Gatwick Airport and local authorities, the conference was presented with initial findings from new research about the patterns of current international trade in the LEP.

Participants heard that findings from a recent survey of C2C LEP businesses suggests that 10% are active exporters and generate around £13.6bn; about 42% of the GVA for the Coast to Capital area.

Businesses themselves are optimistic for the future, with a rising proportion expecting trade to increase over the next 12 months.

Iain Shepherd, Coast to Capital Board member responsible for Internationalisation, said, "I was absolutely delighted by the positive and enthusiastic response from both public and private sector organizations to engage with Coast to Capital in the delivery of our Internationalisation agenda."

"The conference demonstrated that our ambitious targets were both realistic and achievable. Coast to Capital wants to double the number of businesses that are regular and fully active international traders. It is a big target – much bigger than what we have seen before – and it will take a concerted effort by all public, private and third sector bodies who work with businesses – to make progress.”