West Midlands companies are being offered help to export their way out of the recession with a £600 grant to research opportunities in the East African market.

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCI) is organising the marketing mission for businesses which runs from 3-14 November this year. 

Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia, are an important hub for British companies and the UK has been Kenya's most significant trading partner since it gained independence in 1963. Over sixty UK companies already have operations in Kenya and investments are estimated to be worth £1.5bn.  

This year, the World Bank has almost doubled its financial commitments to help stimulate developing economies and there is an abundance of opportunities in a variety of sectors.

Two of Kenya's fastest growing markets are horticulture and telecommunications as well as education and training, financial services and healthcare.  

Ethiopia has been granted funds for reconstruction and development by the World Bank and the European Union, providing opportunities for companies to offer consultancy work to implement these projects.  

Uganda is a growing market and UK companies can find opportunities in agriculture, power, education and skills, oil and gas.  

The Tanzanian economy is dominated by agriculture, but UK companies can find opportunities in telecommunications, IT, energy, mining, infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, education and tourism.

Companies are also invited to stay on after 14 November to explore opportunities in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.  

Organised in conjunction with the British High Commissions and the UK Trade & Investment offices in Nairobi, Kampala, Addis Ababa and Dar es Salaam, companies will have the support of UKTI overseas to arrange meetings with potential customers in these markets.

For further information on the grant towards travel and accommodation and a copy of the information pack, companies can contact Alison Hawkins on 0121 607 1845 or email a.hawkins@birminghamchamber.org.uk