Business newsline by Tony Seymour

Companies are losing out on billions of pounds of revenue each year because of their lack of international language skills.

Burnholme College pupils with Ashleigh McMillan, left, of the Department of Trade and Industry, and French teacher Sandrine Maillard

Bearing this in mind, tomorrow's exporters recently met at the North Yorkshire regional launch of the Department of Trade and Industry's Languages for Exports Awards Scheme in York.

The awards are designed to recognise outstanding achievement in overcoming language and culture barriers in global trade.

The launch was designed to highlight a serious theme in a fun way: that knowledge of foreign languages and cultures is vital for career development and export success for North Yorkshire businesses.

Pupils from North Yorkshire schools were at the launch, hosted by the North Yorkshire Training & Enterprise Council, to find out first-hand about international communication through live video links with the French Consulate General in Lille.

Participating at the event was the Yorkshire Education and Business Partnership, which is currently organising the European Experience in local schools.

Robert Holkham, National Languages and Export Campaign project manager, said: "Research shows that one in eight companies are losing trade as a result of language, linguistic, and cultural issues. Set against British exports to the top ten non-English speaking markets totalling £82 billion a year, the potential loss is considerable.

"Clearly the campaign is to help companies think about language and culture on a wider level in the European market. Through the awards education we're trying to encourage companies to think about languages as part of their export plan in overseas markets."

Trade Minister Brian Wilson said: "Failure in the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with lucrative export markets in Europe, Latin America and Asia/Pacific means that for many British firms more than a quarter of their potential revenues are at risk.

"We can never assume that everyone speaks English. International trade these days demands a degree of communication expertise: expertise in such matters as dealing with the necessary documentation, knowledge of export financing, market analysis, right down to visiting the market place and winning the order.

"The eventual winners of the awards will act as beacons to others of what can be achieved in an increasingly-competitive global environment. We need role models from industry, training and education to help convey these messages to those who have not identified the importance of speaking their customer's language and understanding something of the business culture in their export markets."

Languages for Exports Awards cover three categories: exporting companies; organisations such as providers of language training, translation and interpreting services; and education or training institutions which help companies to implement their plans.

For more details on the awards telephone freephone 0800 592933. Closing date for entries is April 1.

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