WMBE offers help to SMEs looking to boost export potential

THE West Midlands Business Export project (WMBE), part of Coventry University Enterprises, is launching a series of forums to help the region’s SMEs boost their export potential.

The move comes as latest UK economic growth figures show a revision upwards to 0.9% for the second quarter of the year. The data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is above the previous estimate of 0.8%.

The figures show UK GDP was 3.2% higher in the second quarter of this year compared with the same period last year. It also means the UK economy has now surpassed its pre-recession peak seen in the third quarter of 2013.

The WMBE project will see a series of eight forums running from now until December. The briefings, split between breakfast and dinner events, will cover a host of topics relevant to firms hoping to export. These include Routes to Market and Language & Culture, Intellectual Property Rights, Global Patents, Design Trademarks and Copyright.

The first forum takes place at Asha’s Indian Restaurant in Newhall Street, Birmingham on Tuesday (October 7) between 6.30 and 9.30pm. It will explore International Marketing & Web Optimisation.
 
The forums are free for SMEs booking to attend a minimum of two forums. As well as exchanging ideas and sharing first-hand experiences with those who are already exporting successfully, there will be a series of experts lined up to facilitate the discussions, and SMEs will be introduced to a UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) International Trade Adviser.  
 
Karen Ison, Programme Director at WMBE, said: “The forums are a chance for SMEs to come together and discuss the export issues facing them, with the hope that they can learn from one another. We hope to encourage debate and discussion amongst the companies on issues that are affecting them in their quest for export success.
 
“The latest HMRC export figures show that West Midlands exports continue to grow, but there’s so much more potential, and we hope that by holding these forums, SMEs who are inexperienced in the world of exporting, will get the practical advice they need to reach their exporting goals.”
 
As well as advice, SMEs attending will have the opportunity to learn more about the £1,000 to £30,000 funding available from WMBE. WMBE has already helped 115 SMEs across the West Midlands to scoop £1m of grant funding since January 2014. With an overall total of £1.2m to allocate before December 2014, project organisers said firms needed to act fast to access the last of the £200,000 available.

The project’s aim is to help eligible SMEs across the region to improve sales and profits through export.  Between June and December 2013 250 companies, encompassing a range of sectors including industry, engineering, and manufacturing, have benefitted from their involvement; recording £2.1m of sales, creating 64 jobs and safeguarding another 158.

The project is backed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme.

Other meetings are as follows:

Event Venue Date & Time
International Marketing and Web Optimisation for International Trade  Asha’s Indian Restaurant, Birmingham  October 7, 6.30-9.30pm
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), and Global Patents, Design Trademarks and Copyright  Purnell’s Bistro & Gingers Bar, Birmingham  October 16, 6.30-9.30pm
Language & Culture  The Pickled Piglet, Birmingham  October 21, 6.30-9.30pm
International Marketing and Web Optimisation for International Trade  Purnell’s Bistro & Gingers Bar, Birmingham  November 20, 7-10am
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), and Global Patents, Design Trademarks and Copyright  Asha’s Indian Restaurant, Birmingham  November 25, 7-10am
Language & Culture  Purnell’s Bistro & Gingers Bar, Birmingham  December 4, 7-10am
Accessing Finance for International Trade  The Pickled Piglet, Birmingham  December 9, 6.30-9.30pm

 

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