Grants of up to £2,500 are available to help West Midlands
companies beat the recession through internationalisation.
West Midlands Internationalisation is a new project in the
region to provide a package of support for small and medium-sized
firms through European Union funding.
It is being delivered by West Midlands International Trade LLP,
a joint initiative led by the Chambers of Commerce in the region in
partnership with UK Trade & Investment, Advantage West Midlands
and Coventry University Enterprises.
The grants are available for a range of activities,
including:
• Developing an international trade strategy;
• Individual overseas travel to explore business
opportunities;
• Skills development;
• Overseas market research;
• Support to take part in overseas trade fairs and
exhibitions; and
• Specialist mentoring.
Companies can access the grants - and support available through
other UK Trade & Investment initiatives - by contacting their
local international trade advisers, who have a wealth of export
experience, including dedicated sector specialists and experts on
issues such as researching export markets, developing an export
strategy and e-commerce.
Allen Matty, Operations Director of West Midlands International
Trade LLP, said: "The financial support available through West
Midlands Internationalisation is specifically aimed at helping SMEs
beat the recession.
"This is just one example of the help available from UK Trade
& Investment's team of more than 35 international trade
advisers across the region and I would urge anyone interested in
accessing this support, and finding out more about the many
services we offer to enable West Midlands firms to become
successful exporters, to contact us now."
Other UK Trade & Investment services include support
programmes for both novice and experienced exporters together with
subsidised market research services aimed at providing companies
with all the information they need to access an overseas market for
the first time or develop an existing market to its full
potential.