Continued access to EU markets is top priority for smaller businesses, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Out of 1,758 members surveyed, 63% regarded the EU market as an important trade destination.

58% said that trading in the EU single market is easier than trading with non-EU markets.

Further findings:

• 53% of importers and 45% of exporters find trading with the single market is cheaper than with non-EU markets
• 20% exclusively trade with the EU
• 27% of exporting small firms in Scotland would be discouraged from trading with the EU if tariffs were introduced.

Andy Willox, Scottish policy convenor at FSB, said:

“FSB is calling on the UK government to secure the easiest, and least costly, access to the EU single market in the Brexit negotiations. Lots of first-time exporters regard EU markets as a training ground and a lower-risk first step to realising their global ambitions.”

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