Firms are being urged to export more goods to help the UK achieve a sustainable economic recovery and stop the country becoming a "bit part player".
Business Secretary Vince Cable will tell an industry conference that the economic outlook is promising, so it is time for business to "step up."
In a speech to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) annual conference, the minister will say there is only so much spare domestic demand that UK businesses can meet.
"If we don't broaden our horizons, we consign ourselves to the certain fate of becoming a marginal, bit-part player in the global economy.
"Yet, despite our best efforts - and those of our partners, like the BCC - there are up to 150,000 UK firms with the potential to export who are failing to exploit the available opportunities.
"This situation cannot persist. Far better that we seek to export out of aspiration, rather than desperation, starting now, not when the gap to our international competitors is even harder to close.
"My challenge to BCC members is to increase their risk appetite: for non-exporters to get in the game, and for existing exporters to explore new markets."
Cable will say that as other European economies showed signs of recovery, and with the prospect of major EU trade deals in the offing with Japan and the US, the time had come for forward-looking firms to stake a claim to overseas markets, adding: "That may not have been appropriate in the immediate aftermath of the global banking crisis. It is now."
Oddest British Exports
London Bridge (01 of10)
Open Image ModalLondon Bridge, built in 1825, was flogged off in 1968 by the City of London to American oil man Robert McCulloch for nearly $2.5 million. McCullouch, from Missouri, had the bridge taken apart and shipped overseas to California, then brought by truck to Arizona, where it was rebuilt brick by brick at Lake Havasu City - which is where it still stands today .
Bovine semen(02 of10)
Open Image ModalHaggis (03 of10)
Open Image ModalThis truly Scottish treat has global appeal, as people munch on it in droves over the Atlantic.The "Gung Haggis Fat Choy" party in Vancour celebrates Scottish culture and many US cities have fashioned treats like haggis-stuffed wontons.
Lemon Curd (04 of10)
Open Image ModalBritish firm Dart Valley Foods said it had seen demand soar for its homemade gourmet foods in Asia, as products like its lemon curd became its most popular export.
London black cabs(05 of10)
Open Image ModalHow could you not like a good ol' black cab? They're exported to Spain, Germany and Saudi Arabia.
Sea salt(06 of10)
Open Image ModalBritain is lucky to be an island, as its sea salt is much in demand.The Anglesey Sea Salt Company supplies its signature ‘Halen Môn’ salt crystals to 22 countries across the globe, and owes 45% of its turnover from exports to places like Hong Kong.
Skeletons (07 of10)
Open Image ModalTrout Eggs(08 of10)
Open Image ModalTrout eggs, hatched and cared for in the Lake District, are LOVED in Kenya, America, Venezuela, Falkland Islands and the Bahamas.
London bendy busses (09 of10)
Open Image ModalTelephone boxes (10 of10)
Open Image ModalRed telephone boxes have travelled around the world and found themselves homes in many places.Ten telephone boxes were bought from the UK by the Israeli city of Petah Tikva for its main street, Haim Ozer. Malta, Gozo, Antigua, Barbados, Cyprus and the French town of Chinon have bought red telephone boxes.