Help at hand
Jun 23 2009 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette
HELP is on hand for Tees Valley firms to tap into Government spending in the EU.
The global economic downturn has prompted the Governments of the G20 to introduce financial packages to help support businesses with a combination of tax cuts and additional investment in key industry sectors.
Within the EU single market, Germany, Spain and France have targeted spending programmes worth around Euro 274 billion and it is estimated that Euro 12.6 billion of this project spending is accessible to UK companies.
Funding has been made available for projects in a wide range of sectors including construction, rail, waterways, ICT infrastructure, education and healthcare and contracts are now being awarded.
Many of them also have environmental and engineering elements that may be of interest to UK firms.
Steven Spalding, business specialist for UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), explained: “EU Government spending is necessarily visible and open to all EU companies.
“There are many opportunities arising from these projects for Tees Valley East firms and they can be accessed cost effectively using the right combination of EU public information and the support of UKTI.
“With our help projects can be identified, quantified and specified so that companies will arrive in front of the right person in the right place and be well briefed - so they have the best chance of winning new business.”
David Coppock, UKTI's international trade director for the North-east, said: “We want to ensure Tees Valley firms are able to identify the opportunities and have all the information and support they need to maximise their chances of success.
“With this in mind we have asked Steven to join some of our experts to take part in a special event to enable Tees Valley firms to find out more.”
The Benefiting from Government spending in the EU event will be held at Durham County Cricket Club, Chester-le-Street on Tuesday, July 7, from 9.30am.
Topics to be covered at the event will include the size and focus of EU financial packages; identifying and tracking EU Government spending opportunities; extending your commercial reach in Germany and managing EU business risks.
There will also be an opportunity for one-to-one meetings with the experts for companies to discuss their individual circumstances.
To find out more or to book your place contact the North East International Trade Hotline on 0845 0505054 or e-mail enquiries@ukti.rito.co.uk
