Member Article

Business competition helps SMEs into international markets

The government has launched a new scheme to encourage more small businesses from across the North East to take their products to overseas markets.

The Prime Minister and Lord Green, minister for Trade and Investment, recently launched the new “Exporting for Growth” competition, which offers a comprehensive package of support to companies with the best export ideas.

SMEs in the region now have until the 13 January to submit their ideas, and short listed companies will be invited to present their idea to a live audience of business leaders and a judging panel.

Their chosen winner will receive support worth £5000 and three grants for overseas travel, as well as expert business knowledge and insight.

David Coppock, regional director for UKTI North East believes the competition will help to showcase innovative business ideas from the region on a world platform.

He commented: “The North East has a long and proud history of exporting which continues to this day, as the record export figures posted in the last 12 months have shown.

“But while its right to shout about this success, the reality is that only a small number of SMEs export their products.

“Companies that export improve their financial performance, are more productive and are more likely to stay in business.”

Any business with a big export idea are now being invited to submit their plans in no more than 200 words, describing how it is workable and why they want to take it to market.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .