world’s largest provider of flexible workplaces, suggests that West African companies with links to China and other BRIC nations are particularly well positioned and more likely to succeed than locally-focused businesses.
Regus’ second Global Survey report on export business, which canvassed opinion from more than 20 000 senior business managers in over 90 countries, showed that firms that trade internationally report better revenues and profits than businesses that stick to their domestic markets.
50 percent of global firms that export said they’ve increased profits over the last 12 months compared with 38 percent of companies that only trade domestically. 59 percent of companies that export said their revenues had grown compared with 37 percent of firms focused domestically.
The report also revealed China is the most popular market with 48 percent of businesses exporting there, ahead of Europe (41 percent), North America (36 percent), India (31 percent) and South America (31 percent).
However, the most profitable areas for export are emerging markets and Europe.
Joanne Bushell, VP Africa & Middle East said the “report not only spotlights the advantages of export orientation for West African companies, it also highlights exporter concerns.”
“These include worries about property and paperwork, an issue raised by 78 percent of respondents and the challenge of building an image abroad, a concern for 35 percent of respondents while risk management is an issue for 40 percent,” she said.
She noted that Regus has the network, resources and expertise to proffer solutions to exporters with such challenges.
Office spaces or property concerns in foreign countries “are obviously outsourced to the solution-providers at Regus as clients do not have to invest in bricks and mortar or sign lease agreements that lock them into sometimes onerous conditions,” she adds.
Regus has on its clientele Google, Nokia and GlaxoSmithkline outsourcing their office and workplace needs to it.
In Nigeria, Regus has a presence in Lagos and Abuja and represented in Ghana, Senegal and Ivory Coast. Worldwide, the business is represented in over 1500 locations, 600 cities and 99 countries. Regus was founded in Brussels, Belgium in 1989, is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on the London Stock Exchange.
