A survey of 500 companies by DHL Express reveals that almost half (46 per cent) of UK companies which import and export expect overseas demand for their products to grow in this period, with 43 per cent expecting demand to remain constant.

Office for National Statistics data confirms that in the past year exports grew by 11.5 per cent and imports grew by 11.7 per cent.

Of those anticipating export growth, 22 per cent expect this to come from the US, 20 per cent from France, 19 per cent from Germany and 9 per cent from China and Spain.

Six out of ten (61 per cent) say they expect sales growth in 2011 and 55 per cent anticipate profit growth. Half of respondents also believe that the 2012 Olympics will create a greater global demand for British goods.

Phil Couchman, CEO of DHL Express UK and Ireland says, ‘It’s extremely promising to see UK businesses are confident about their future. Home-grown businesses are vital to the UK economy.’