Expertise is simply a click away
Sep 30 2009 By The Journal
AN ONLINE centre to give North East companies information and advice on how to start selling overseas is to be launched as part of a multi-million pound export support scheme.
Business & Enterprise North East has secured £6m from the European Union through regional development agency One North East to vastly expand the range of help given to companies in the region hoping to sell overseas.
More than 1,300 firms will be helped to export by the scheme. The £6m grant will be added to £3m from export support agency UK Trade and Investment and another £3m contribution to come from participating companies.
Alastair MacColl, chief executive of Business & Enterprise North East, the organisation that runs the UK Trade & Investment and Business Link services in the region, said: "This new package will be a welcome boost to North East businesses looking to expand into overseas markets.
"We are fortunate to have a large number of innovative businesses in this region that are ripe for expansion into overseas markets. By offering support and guidance, this service will ensure that North East enterprises stand the best possible chance of entering foreign markets and succeeding in them."
The funding will provide financial support for firm’s export plans, provide hands-on support from appropriate export professionals and it will also fund the development of a virtual international trade "hub" which will draw all regional and national expertise and support together on-line so they can be easily accessed by businesses.
:: For more information about UKTI services contact the North East International Trade hotline on 0845 05 05 054,or email enquiries@ukti.rito.co.uk or log on to www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/ukti/north_east
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