East Midlands growing exports

Sci Tek is one company benefitting from the increase in trade Credit: ITV Central

Exports from the East Midlands have reached their highest level in the first quarter for 6 years.

They hit £4.6 billion in the first three months of 2012 up from £3.5 billion in 2010. It means the region’s businesses are back in the black, exporting more goods than they imported for the first time since 2006.

Exports to emerging markets in Asia, India and China broke through the £1 billion pound mark for the first time but European exports are down.

One of the companies benefiting from international markets is SCITEK in Derby who specialise in research and development.

They are in the final stages of a £1.2 million pound deal with a Chinese firm to supply a neutron radiography machine.

It creates 3D images of the interiors of objects.

The region’s UK Trade and Investment Director Peter Hogarth warns that although more figures are up, they could be even better.