FedEx Express has released its SME Export eBook which sets out trends in the export activity of small-to-medium-size enterprises in the Asia-Pacific region.

The book follows an independent study which FedEx commissioned and which was completed in September 2015.

The research study looked at the export behaviour of SMEs in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.

According to FedEx, one of the most striking findings from the study is the fact that only 36% of SMEs in the Asia-Pacific region export to overseas markets, despite 77% acknowledging that these markets could offer an additional customer base.

SMEs that do export overseas are more than twice as likely to experience rapid growth as those that do not, and are also more likely to be optimistic about their business prospects.

The electronic book is available on the FedEx website.