MORE North West businesses are broadening their horizons and focusing on overseas markets.
And the region's companies are enjoying healthy increases in export orders, according to the latest Lloyds TSB Commercial survey.
Forty-two per cent of exporters across the North West reported growing order books, compared to just 36 per cent in the first half of the year.
And 40 per cent are forecasting continued growth over the next six months, the survey results have found.
But despite increased overseas trade, the North West is still not punching its weight, says Martin Morgan, regional international business manager for Lloyds TSB Commercial.
He said: "With almost half of North West businesses now exporting goods and services, exporters have certainly seized the opportunities presented by sterling's decline in value, particularly against the US dollar."
"Government figures show that, while the region accounts for about 12.5 per cent of England's GDP, it represents only 9.3 per cent of England's European exports, one of the lowest ratios in the UK. We also have one of the lowest value of exports per head for any region."
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