New research shows that a growing number of small businesses are looking to export goods and services, as demand for UK goods from this sector rises.

The Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) quarterly business index revealed a net balance of 24 per cent of firms expect exports to rise in the next three months.

The FSB said government should focus on smaller exporters and called for easier access to services offered by groups such as UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).

Of FSB members who export, just half were aware of UKTI’s programme of help to organisations selling overseas.

FSB national chairman John Allan said: "Small businesses will have a major part to play if the government is to meet its challenging targets for 100,000 new exporters and to double the value of exports by 2020. Starting to export is a big step for small firms.

“They therefore need tailored advice and support which will allow them to overcome the barriers to exporting that have been repeatedly identified by our surveys.”

The survey of nearly 9,000 small businesses found that industry sectors most likely to export were manufacturing, wholesale trade, research and development and engineering.