More than 100 businesses took part in the launch of the We Are International Export Network which is pivotal to a new campaign to bring more than £2.6 billion of exports into the Leeds City Region, including Bradford, in the next five years.

A range of current and potential exporting businesses attended the network’s inaugural meeting in Leeds, with a video link from Bradford.

The Export Network is a group of experienced exporters from a wide range of industry sectors who will act as ambassadors, champions and mentors in the We Are International campaign.

It is an initiative by Leeds Local Enterprise Partnership, UKTI and Bradford-based Chamber International to boost the Leeds City Region economy by improving exporting performance, particularly to larger, growing economies such as China, India and the US.

Eric Hawthorn, managing director of Shipley-based Radio Design Ltd, and John Chacksfield, co-founder of Skipton-based Trio Healthcare Ltd and a holder of a Queens Award for Export, were among the speakers describing their export experience and their commitment to providing practical help to potential exporters.

Mr Hawthorn said: “The Leeds City Region is currently running a £1billion trade deficit for its products and services which this campaign aims to turn into a £1.6billion surplus by 2018.

“Two thirds of businesses do not even have exporting as part of their growth strategy but research shows that exporting businesses are generally more successful and resilient than those who do not.”