A package of measures from the Department for International Trade (DIT) targets the South West as one of the specific regions that are most in need. The South West is one of three areas to be awarded the Export Growth Plan funding, alongside the Northern Powerhouse and the Midlands Engine.
Three sector specific International Trade Advisors will be provided for Great South West businesses (i.e. those in the Heart of the South West, Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly and Dorset LEP areas) and an new pilot Export Academy will deliver a series of webinars that cover the export journey and tackle the main barriers to export.
Registration for these free events is at: www.events.great.gov.uk/ExportAcademy Each session is one hour, with a 40 minute webinar followed by a 20 minute Q and A session. Dates and times are:
- Understanding the Benefits & Barriers of Export – Tuesday 03/11/2020 – 15:00-16:00
- Steps to Export Tuesday 10/11/2020 – 15:00-16:00
- International Market Research – Friday 13/11/2020 – 10:00-11:00
- Pricing Strategy and Route to Market – Tuesday 17/11/2020 – 15:00-16:00
- Understanding Customs Procedures and Tariffs – Friday 20/11/2020 – 10:00-11:00
- Understanding International Commercial Terms – Tuesday 24/11/2020 – 15:00-16:00
- Export Controls – Tuesday 01/12/2020 – 14:00-15:00
- Movement of Money (Getting Paid) – Friday 11/12/2020 – 14:00-15:00
Karl Tucker, Chair of the Heart of the South West LEP said: “We welcome all the support available to help our businesses re-start, revitalise and grow; as the economy in the South West has been amongst the hardest-hit due to the impact on vulnerable sectors such as hospitality and tourism which play a significant role in our local economyâ€.
“We know that the Heart of the South West area has high growth potential for export, and it’s believed the greatest barrier is lack of knowledge, so we welcome the new on-line Export Academy and encourage HotSW businesses to take part in these valuable webinars.â€
“We are also pleased to see the Government recognising our area as having specific need; and will continue to drive home this message to secure the necessary levels of funding in future rounds of investment.â€
The LEP has also launched a new £900,000 grant scheme for foreign-owned companies investing in the area to create jobs in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.
The Heart of the South West Inward Investment Support Project grant scheme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Funding is available to companies that are newly landed and existing, foreign-owned SMEs that are based in the Heart of the South West.
To discuss the grant scheme and your eligibility in more detail please contact the LEP’s Inward Investment Manager Carla Modley at carla.modley@heartofswlep.co.uk