West Midlands firms looking to expand into Europe should be
looking to the Benelux countries of Belgium, Holland and
Luxemburg.
That is the message from UK Trade & Investment, which has
set up a 'Reverse-Bridge to Growth' programme. The project aims to
help companies establish a presence on the continent as well as
retaining a head office in the West Midlands.
The initiative provides a platform of integrated services
designed to lower the risk and costs of local companies entering
the Benelux market for the first time.
The Benelux region has a total population of nearly 30 million
people, with a strong focus on trading with countries around the
world. The Netherlands is the sixth largest exporter of goods
worldwide, while Belgium is the ninth largest trading nation in the
world. They are also both good customers of the UK, with Holland
being the fifth largest export market for British goods and Belgium
the sixth.
Bineet Desai, International Trade Adviser for UKTI, said:
"Together, the Benelux countries have a market share higher than
that of France or Germany. They are at the strategic heart of
Europe, and with the presence of many multinational companies and
international organisations, it is a prime target for West Midlands
companies.
"The Reverse-Bridge to Growth concept is to create a truly
innovative and comprehensive programme designed to assist
knowledge-based and innovation-led companies, making their
transition to set up abroad far smoother and less risky than would
otherwise be the case."
UKTI, with Advantage West Midlands and West Midlands in Europe,
has convened an integrated team of business and professional
organisations who together offer support including advice on
company incorporation, business accommodation, market assessment,
legal and financial advice, banking and access to incentives.
Kelvin Kirby, Managing Director of Technology Associates
International, a project management consulting business based in
Stratford-upon-Avon, visited Brussels on a recent trade mission to
see for himself how Reverse-Bridge to Growth could help his
company.
He said: "We had been on the Passport to Export programme and
were looking at exporting to the United States. We'd never
considered trading with this part of Europe before, so it was good
to get to Brussels, meet people, make contacts and explore the
opportunities that are available.
"It's still early days yet, but we have made some good
connections with people who will be able to help us work with the
European Commission, which we might not otherwise have had."
Richard Carty, Managing Director of Netshield, company based in
Walsall specialising in Cloud Computing also participated in the
visit. He said "The meetings arranged by UKTI have been very
productive and helped us to get our foot into the door as a result
of this visit I am now looking to open a sales office very soon in
Brussels and start doing business into the Benelux Market."