STRONGER than expected recovery in leading industrialised nations has helped propel UK exporter confidence to a four and a half year high.

However, according to HSBC's latest trade forecast, Britain must raise its investment in research and development (R&D) if it is to retain its competitiveness in the global economy over the long term.

The report shows that trade conditions are improving for UK businesses, with 63% of exporters expecting trade volumes to rise over the next six months, up from 61% during the second half of 2013. UK exports are forecast to increase by 5%  a year over the next two years, driven by the economic recovery in Europe and North America, as well as opportunities in faster-growing markets.

HSBC's Trade Confidence Index (TCI) increased by five points from six months ago to reach 113 (any reading above 100 signals anticipated expansion in trade amongst businesses) in the second half of 2013, the highest reading in the survey's four and a half year history.

However, the UK needs to encourage businesses to investment in R&D to capture more of the value of their merchandise exports, enabling them to move up the value chain over the long term. The latest figures show the UK invests 1.77% of GDP in R&D, a figure that has remained broadly constant over the past 20 years, compared to 2.77% in the US, 2.84% in Germany and 2.25% in France.

It is developing economies that have accelerated investment over the same period. In developing Asia, R&D spend as a percentage of GDP has more than quadrupled to 1.8% and has almost caught up with that of Europe, while China now spends the equivalent of 1.8% of its annual GDP on R&D, a near doubling of its expenditure over the past 20 years.

To illustrate the value chain picture, the latest Trade Forecast focused on the high-tech sector. It found the UK will be outpaced in the growth of technology exports by both developing economies, including China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkey, and developed markets such as the US, France and Germany, over the next 15 years.

Improving links between educational institutions and business will be vital in developing the UK's high-tech sector, as well as encouraging more graduates in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing), according to the report.

Mark Emmerson, HSBC UK head of global trade and receivables finance, said: "The example of high-tech presents lessons for other sectors and the future pattern of global trade. Companies within developed economies that own the intellectual property of high value goods still enjoy a strong competitive advantage, but under-investment in R&D could threaten the advantage the UK enjoys, presenting an opportunity for emerging markets to gain ground. The world economy is becoming more knowledge-intensive - it is essential for the UK to invest in research and improve links between education and business to retain competitiveness and enhance future growth."

He added: "The UK's educational institutions are internationally-acclaimed and Britain performs strongly in terms of the share of the population working in knowledge-intensive industries. However, the UK underperforms compared to trading competitors such as the US in terms of the level of Patent Cooperation Treaty patent applications and R&D investment."