Politicians, financiers – get your coats and go home!  This morning I found that more than 12 months of ranting about the UK’s need to increase exports had been vindicated, after reading this, this, this and this, among other “news”.

Much of my ranting in 2009, despite appearing in print and online, seemed to fall on deaf ears with many ignoring me and some thinking I was mad to focus so much of my time on a relentless campaign for more export support.  So, I’m sorry to do this – but I told you so.

What took you so long, that you failed to see what I, along with a few others, saw in 2008 – that any economic recovery could only be achieved through exporting more?  We thought you didn’t care.

Why is it that only now our need to export more is suddenly being acknowledged by the mass media?  And I mean all of a sudden – notice that I linked to four news agencies saying exactly the same thing? Google news has over 70 articles that also do the “stuck record” thing this morning.  Hasn’t the horse already bolted a significant distance however?

Promoting UK Export: Even a child could understand the benefits!

Apologies for my tone, but it’s as if somebody upon high deemed “the masses” weren’t ready for what is apparently, a revelation, until now. As if the truth may be too hard to swallow.

Take the widening trade deficit and the government’s need to cut public spending to reduce UK debt.

What were the chances that during the past year, somebody in Government or in the Bank of England, might have said at some point:

“Hey everyone, we have might a devalued currency, but people and businesses everywhere (i.e. overseas) are looking for the best deals. Why don’t we take advantage of this and give UK plc an incentive to export more? It would help balance our trade defecit and generate more tax revenues at the same – while we’re in recession! Say it quietly, but perhaps the Government could even afford to borrow a bit less.”

The chances were, unfortunately, nil.  Non existent. Even though it is proven that a weak pound increases UK exports without help.

However, this announcement (although I don’t think I should call old news or old ideas an announcement) might finally be the proverbial “kick” the powers that be need to incentivise UK businesses to increase their exports, and help repair our economy.

We’ve suggested a 10% corporation tax on new sales generated through exports and even Government guaranteed loans for viable firms looking to export (or expand). We’ve even launched a single-source exporting service for firms who haven’t done it before.

If only the powers that be had listened to what we’ve been saying for too long. They’d probably be having an easier time of it now.

It sounds like I’m gloating. I mean who hates being right, right? Actually, I do.

When it’s about this, I hate being right – because the implications of not acting to boost UK exports are far too costly in the long term.

On the plus side, at least nobody can accuse me of being mad anymore!