This comes to you from very genteel Henley-on-Thames where I'm staying at the contemporary posh Hotel du vin. The people here at the front desk disagree with my description - they prefer words like beautiful, comfortable and friendly. It is a great hotel but I'm fixated by the fact there were 39 stairs between the door of my room and the bed. A record I think, although someone will probably correct me.

I'm here for the Publishers Association international strategy meeting. In spite of the importance of the UK book trade, British publishers would not exist without their exports. And we do it really rather well in spite of having to contend with a very strong currency (vs our major competitor, the US dollar), threats from territorial erosion, piracy, dodgy dealers and restrictive practices in some countries.

The latest statistics show export growth of 14% in units and 10% by value with fastest growth in children's books and educational programs. Academic unit sales actually fell as a result of people switching to digital delivery but revenues held up. This year, subject to the usual provisos about political events and natural disasters should see further growth in Asia, Eastern Europe and the emerging markets in general.

The biggest issue (and cost) continues to be piracy and the Publishers Association (whose website will shortly reflect more obviously its merits!) leads the world's publishing industries in taking action where necessary and supporting legal and consitutional routes to the protection of authors' copyrights. It is expensive but vital. It is another example of a cost which commentators from within and without the industry tend to forget when calculating profits.