YORKSHIRE exporters are the top in the country when it comes to generating overseas sales growth, according to the latest Business in Britain Report from Lloyds TSB Corporate.

The proportion of Yorkshire firms experiencing an increase in export sales has risen from 51 per cent six months ago to 53 per cent - the highest figure in the country.

This is despite UK exporters as a whole reportedly losing their grip on sales growth over the last six months and failing to capitalise on the most competitive exchange rate UK industry has seen in more than five years.

Yorkshire exporters also reported the lowest percentage of firms in the country experiencing a decrease in sales (19 per cent), with figures showing a significant improvement from six months ago (when 26 per cent reported a decrease).

In contrast to the national figures, which show that the balance of firms able to grow export sales has suffered, exporters in Yorkshire are actually increasing their sales. This is happening in particular outside the Eurozone, with 43 per cent - again the highest percentage in the country - increasing exports outside Europe, says the report.

Yorkshire exporters are also bucking the national trend when making predictions for the next six months. Whereas much of the country is deflated, 44 per cent of Yorkshire exporters are expecting a rise in exports (compared with 38 per cent nationally), indicating a growing optimism in the region.

Geoff Lloyd, regional international relationship manager at Lloyds TSB Corporate in Yorkshire, said: "The continued uncertainty about euro entry and speculation over the likelihood of economic recovery within the Eurozone has led to a testing six months for UK exporters. However, Yorkshire firms are proving to be the most productive in the country when it comes to exporting, remaining the most positive about performance for the rest of the year."

Updated: 08:37 Tuesday, September 16, 2003