London businesses are being encouraged to export their goods overseas to help the capital pull through the current recession.

Martin Cook, from UK Trade & Investment, the government's international business development arm, said: "London has 12% of the UK's population and, on current estimates, at least 16% of the country's exports.

"That's impressive, but we can do even more to grow London's export base and provide new opportunities for London firms, particularly in parts of the world where economies are still growing."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson is spearheading the UKTI's Export Promotion Programme which aims to help around 2,500 firms export their goods in the next three years.