Despite the strong pound and a stormy global economy, Croydon exporters held their own in 1998 according to express carriers DHL.

In its annual review of 1998, DHL said the top markets for Croydon exporters were only slightly changed.

The top destinations were still Europe and the USA but there has been a noticeable decline in demand for consignments to the Far East. New markets opened in Argentina.

Mike Young at DHL said: "It has been a tough year for UK exporters," he said. "But their determination to hang on and seek new opportunities is phenomenal. He said there is a reasonable amount of optimism for 1999.

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