The number of British firms trading internationally jumped by 16,000 last year

The number of British firms trading internationally rose by almost 16,000 last year despite Brexit uncertainty and London maintained its position at the top of the pile. 

British businesses trading abroad increased by 15,900 last year to 340,500, which now represents 14.3 per cent of total non-financial businesses in Britain, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Non-financial services made up 53.1 per cent of Britain's international traders, while construction continued to be the smallest internationally trading sector with just three per cent of sector trading overseas.

London maintained its position as the region with the largest number of businesses reporting international trade – 88,500, making up 26 per cent of Britain's total, following by the South East with 62,900.

The survey also revealed there were more importers – 247,500 – than exporters – 235,800, similar to 2016.

“Some feared the vote to leave the EU would see the UK retreat into its shell as a trading entity, but that hasn't happened,” Ayan Mitra, chief executive of debt finance platform CODE Investing, said.

“While the politicians scrap things out about the international position of Great Britain in a post-Brexit world, for UK firms large and small it’s international business as usual — and a bit more on top.

"What’s particularly encouraging is that the growth in the number of companies importing and/or exporting rose across both the SME sector and blue chips.

“Despite Brexit uncertainty, last year the number of businesses in the capital trading internationally increased," he added.