Cross-border trade is the bedrock of many SME operations, but in today’s fast-moving world, it…

UK SME confidence in growth opportunities is currently riding high. Today, more than three-quarters (87%) of SME decision-makers plan to invest in their businesses in 2025 and two-thirds (66%) expect their sales to rise over the next six months – a notable uptick in sentiment.

Starting one’s own business is arguably an exciting prospect. It offers many freedoms and opportunities possibly never experienced in a previous profession. In the UK, entrepreneurship is going strong, with nearly half of working age Britons considering launching their own business this year, up from 35% a year ago.

European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are operating through turbulent times. Rising raw material costs, labour shortages, and increased competition are pushing some of them to their limits. At the same time, global instability has disrupted supply chains, jeopardising profit margins and the ability of many SMEs to meet market demands.