Expanding globally can help businesses reach new audiences, build strategic partnerships and strengthen long-term resilience through diversification.
As more Greater Manchester businesses explore international growth, opportunities such as the upcoming trade mission to Hong Kong and Shenzhen are creating pathways to new customers, partners and markets.
For Greater Manchester businesses, exporting isn’t just a growth option - it's a growth accelerator. Reaching global markets opens new revenue streams, boosts innovation, and strengthens resilience in an increasingly competitive world.
But success overseas requires more than ambition alone; robust trade finance is essential to bridge cash‑flow gaps, reduce risk, and give businesses the confidence and capability to scale internationally. Together, exporting and trade finance create the foundations for sustainable, long‑term global growth.
Susana Cordoba, Head of International Trade Services, GM Business Growth Hub
What international expansion means for your cash flow
Alongside these opportunities, international growth also brings new considerations around how businesses plan and manage cash flow. Compared with domestic trade, cross-border transactions often require businesses to commit resources earlier and wait longer for revenue to return.
As businesses operate across borders, they may encounter situations such as:
• paying overseas suppliers before goods are shipped or received
• longer customer payment terms in export markets
• stock tied up during manufacturing and transit
• shipping, duties and logistics costs incurred upfront
• foreign exchange exposure affecting margins
These factors can extend the trade cycle and increase working capital requirements. Planning how international activity will be funded is therefore an important part of preparing for sustainable global growth.
How trade finance works in international trade
Trade finance supports businesses trading internationally by bridging the funding gap created by cross-border transactions. It helps manage cash flow timing and payment risks, enabling businesses to pay overseas suppliers, access funds from export sales and complete international trade with greater confidence.
Depending on how a business trades internationally, trade finance can include:
• import finance to pay overseas suppliers
• export or invoice finance to release cash from international sales
• letters of credit to reduce payment risk between buyer and seller
• trade credit insurance to protect against non-payment
• supply chain finance to support larger trade relationships
Trade finance is often most relevant when businesses begin exporting or importing at scale, enter new markets, or agree on extended international payment terms. In these situations, access to appropriate funding can directly influence how confidently a business can pursue international opportunities.
From a trade finance provider’s perspective, these are challenges many growing businesses encounter in practice.
One of the biggest challenges we see is businesses having their cash tied up in stock and supplier payments, particularly when importing goods. Trade finance helps bridge that gap by funding the journey from paying suppliers through to getting paid by customers, giving businesses the working capital they need to fulfil orders and grow with confidence.
Vince Tovey, Director at WeDo Trade Finance
WeDo Trade Finance supports growing SME businesses with working capital solutions, helping to fund the trade cycle from paying overseas suppliers through to receiving customer payments.
Support for your international growth journey
Businesses across Greater Manchester can access support to strengthen both their international activity and the funding that enables it.
If you are exploring new overseas markets, the Greater Manchester trade mission to Hong Kong and Shenzhen offers a valuable opportunity to build connections and gain insight into regional demand.
Register your interest for the trade mission here
If you are looking to fund your international growth, our Access to Finance team can help you explore suitable trade finance options aligned to your business needs.
