Pictured: Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce

Companies in Coventry and Warwickshire are being urged to take advantage of a new fund that will help them to trade overseas.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce is delivering extra help to local companies after funding was given by the European Regional Development Fund to offer firms further support in international trade.

Companies can benefit from up to £1,000 worth of match-funded grants that can be put towards overseas visits, researching new markets, international marketing, and translations, find new customers and take part in trade shows or exhibitions. 

To tap into the funding, firms must work with their international trade adviser at the Chamber and agree an international action plan.

Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "We have an excellent track record here at the Chamber of helping member companies to trade overseas. 

"We have advisers with expertise in a host of global markets from traditional partners such as the USA and the EU to newer markets such as the BRIC nations and Eastern Europe.

"One of the factors which will get the economy moving again is getting more firms to trade internationally and this new fund should act as the spur for our members and local business in general to look to overseas trade if they haven't done so before.

"There is £1,000 worth of funding available and that can be put towards the very early stages of international trade and can help companies to start planning an overseas strategy.

"At our annual conference earlier this month, Lord Digby Jones and David Frost talked about the importance of international trade and this is a real opportunity for business to take advantage of support to begin trading around the world."

She added: "Some firms do fear trading overseas because it's an unknown and that's understandable.

"But hundreds of companies from this region are now doing business across the globe, many of whom have had support from the Chamber over the years.

"Our advisers will know the best market to start with and will know the best approach.

"My advice to our members would be to make the most of this support and look to expand your business overseas. You may predominantly operate in a local or regional market - you may trade nationally - but once you open up to the world, your target market suddenly increases exponentially."

For more information on international trade support, call the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce on 024 7665 4321.