Can British business double exports by 2020? The Confederation of British Industry also welcomes the target - but guardedly. "It's achievable - but ambitious," said lobby group's chief policy director Katja Hall. For nearly 50 years we've run a trade deficit. She also cautioned that while fast-growing emerging markets may make prove tempting for exporters, its important not to lose sight of the fact that the European Union remains our biggest trading partner. "Companies should not lose sight of their main markets," Ms Hall warned. The two most important things needed from the Government to get companies exporting are good intelligence about the markets they are entering and, even more crucially, financial backing. A study found 69pc of SME exporters were unaware of UK Trade & Industry and two thirds did not know about UK Export Finance. The Government needs to raise awareness of what it can offer," said Ms Hall. The fact that there is an export target at all is "encouraging" sign, according to the Institute of Directors which noted that "the UK's balance of trade has gone through the floor... and trade activity more closely resembles the spluttering Club Med economies than it does our Northern European neighbours." To help reach the £1 trillion mark, the organisation would also like red tape cut, airport capacity expanded and an end to Air Passenger Duty taxes. "It's all very well UKTI telling businesses to export to emerging markets, but it'd be more useful if you didn't have to change in Amsterdam to get there," said an IoD spokesman. While organisations might have their specific complaints, the Government does offer a range of support to encourage overseas trade through UK Trade & Investment, including trade missions, in-country contacts and funding such as insurance against non-payment and guaranteeing bank loans overseas. Monday also sees the start of the second of two week-long promotions with over 100 events up and down the country to boost foreign trade. Also taking place is the ExploreExport roadshow which will take in eight regions, offering up 130 UKTI trade specialists from over 70 markets holding pre-bookable one-to-one meetings with businesses. UKTI has also set itself the target of increasing by a quarter the number of British companies that export to 25pc - representing about 100,000 businesses. Lord Green, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, said: "We are working hard to achieve our ambition of doubling exports to £1 trillion and getting 100,000 more UK companies exporting by shifting the focus of our staff, working in the UK and in embassies around the world, towards targeting high-value opportunities. Since 2010 exports to China have increased by 91pc and exports to Russia are up by 118pc. We are also providing more support and advice for UK SMEs by establishing a global business network and opening British Business Centres in key markets across the world including India, China and UAE. Now The Telegraph has joined up with manufacturers organisation EEF to keep track of how we are progressing towards this £1 trillion target. Our data dashboard will keep track of key economic statistics to take the pulse of the export economy and see how the country's businesses are responding to the Chancellor's call. We will also be looking at case studies of companies that are exporting to see how they are faring on the frontlines of foreign trade. And achieving the target is vital part of securing Britain's economic health, according to Terry Scuoler, EEF chief executive. We must never again lose sight of the critical foundations of our industrial and manufacturing base. Our long-term future depends on it," he said, as he called for Government to co-ordinate with business to look to its industrial past to secure the future. The new industrial revolution must start now.