Clive Higglesden is head of trade product for Lloyds Bank Global Transaction Banking

As a nation, the UK’s dependency on imports has shown no signs of slowing down. But the weakening of the pound over the last six months has helped to reduce the deficit.

The British public’s vote to leave the EU saw the value of the pound fall to an unexpectedly low rate. While this put a strain on our financial markets, our exports became more attractive to overseas buyers, helping to sustain a boost in trade for exporters.

The most recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) UK Trade figures, released last month, saw a £0.7 billion increase in exports in November, and followed a £2bn increase in October.

This growth marked a second successive month of rising exports and mirrors what businesses have been telling us about how confident they’re feeling about their future.

Despite the uncertainty, Lloyds Bank’s latest Business in Britain report – which surveys 1,500 firms, predominantly SMEs – found 26 per cent of businesses expect stronger export sales in the next six months. This was a six per cent increase from our previous Business in Britain report earlier in September.

Certain regions across the UK also proved more resilient than others. Businesses in the South West were amongst the most optimistic, with 29 per cent of businesses expecting their total exports to increase – three per cent higher than the national average.

British exports to the United States have already increased, according to the ONS. During November, £4.5 billion worth of goods were exported to the States - a £0.4 billion increase from October – making the US our top exporting partner that month.

Our data also found that more firms were also optimistic about exporting to the US in the future, with 18 per cent of firms expecting an increase in exports to the country over the next six months.

This could be set to rise further as Theresa May and Donald Trump begin talks over a new trade deal between the two nations.

As well as the USA, our report found that businesses expect particularly high volumes of exports to the Middle East and Asia Pacific, showing that firms are looking outside of Europe ahead of Britain’s departure from the EU.

Despite any uncertainty Britain faces as it begins its departure from the European Union, businesses are clearly showing no signs of slowing down their trading goals.

We are also working hard to help Britain prosper globally by committing to helping 25,000 UK businesses to start exporting for the first time by 2020.

As well as giving firms access to alternative finance such as export trade finance, which helps reduce the potential risk of working with overseas partners whilst maintaining cashflow as payments are processed, we have recently launched our International Trade Portal.

The online tool gives businesses the opportunity to access new overseas markets, allowing them to identify the international opportunities that will benefit their businesses the most.

The platform enables our customers to focus their efforts and identify prospects to grow overseas, whilst mitigating the risk of any potential pitfalls they may face.

The online tool also lets businesses:

• search for suppliers and buyers to work with as trading partners
• view information on trading requirements and conditions for specific markets
• look for real-time public or private tender opportunities around the globe
• access market reports, trade shows and events for their chosen sectors and countries
• view sanction checks on potential trade partners
• use an import and export calculator to optimise shipping costs
• view live foreign exchange rates

As we continue to help more businesses to export, helped by a government that has put international trade firmly on the top of its agenda, British firms can be confident that support is on hand as they begin their international journey.