Tuesday 17 Jun 2008 @ 15:02
Yorkshire Forward
Yorkshire Forward
 Printable version
|
 E-mail this to a friend
|
Finance on Offer to Help Companies Increase Exports
A £6.9 million finance scheme has been approved by Yorkshire Forward to help regional companies up their export activity in the face of challenging economic conditions.
The funding for the latest Targeted Export Support Scheme (TESS), which will be delivered by UK Trade and Investment, will focus on supporting companies operating in key industry sectors in the region to start, or expand, their international trade activities.
To date, TESS support schemes in the region have supported in excess of 1,200 companies and helped increase sales by over £100 million.
The new TESS scheme will offer grant support to help companies with everything from identifying and visiting potential markets to modifying their websites for international customers. It will also fund a targeted marketing campaign aimed at making companies across the region more aware of the opportunities for business growth that exporting offers.
Theresa Lindsay, head of marketing and business development at Yorkshire Forward explains; “We have a large number of regional businesses operating within the right sectors for international trade, yet traditionally the region has one of the lowest levels of export activity in the UK. In the current economic climate, keeping all your eggs in one basket is a risky strategy to adopt.
“The support we’re putting forward to help businesses trade internationally, will help them to use the current shifts in the global economy to their advantage.
Lindsay continues; “Companies new to exporting tend to view international trade as a high risk strategy, however, the reality is that it is one of the fastest ways of increasing productivity and competitiveness and with the right support, is one of the best ways to expand your business. The support that the TESS scheme offers also means that companies can make sure they have a solid strategy and understanding of their target markets before they enter them – which minimises the risk”.
TESS grants will average £5,000 and will require a matching contribution from the company and support will be accessed via the regional Business Link gateway, using specialist international trade advisors.
Companies wishing to take advantage of the scheme should contact Business Link Yorkshire on 0845 6048048 or UK Trade and Investment Yorkshire on 0113 3949825
Notes to editors:
Yorkshire Forward
The funding for the latest Targeted Export Support Scheme (TESS), which will be delivered by UK Trade and Investment, will focus on supporting companies operating in key industry sectors in the region to start, or expand, their international trade activities.
To date, TESS support schemes in the region have supported in excess of 1,200 companies and helped increase sales by over £100 million.
The new TESS scheme will offer grant support to help companies with everything from identifying and visiting potential markets to modifying their websites for international customers. It will also fund a targeted marketing campaign aimed at making companies across the region more aware of the opportunities for business growth that exporting offers.
Theresa Lindsay, head of marketing and business development at Yorkshire Forward explains; “We have a large number of regional businesses operating within the right sectors for international trade, yet traditionally the region has one of the lowest levels of export activity in the UK. In the current economic climate, keeping all your eggs in one basket is a risky strategy to adopt.
“The support we’re putting forward to help businesses trade internationally, will help them to use the current shifts in the global economy to their advantage.
Lindsay continues; “Companies new to exporting tend to view international trade as a high risk strategy, however, the reality is that it is one of the fastest ways of increasing productivity and competitiveness and with the right support, is one of the best ways to expand your business. The support that the TESS scheme offers also means that companies can make sure they have a solid strategy and understanding of their target markets before they enter them – which minimises the risk”.
TESS grants will average £5,000 and will require a matching contribution from the company and support will be accessed via the regional Business Link gateway, using specialist international trade advisors.
Companies wishing to take advantage of the scheme should contact Business Link Yorkshire on 0845 6048048 or UK Trade and Investment Yorkshire on 0113 3949825
Notes to editors:
Yorkshire Forward
- Yorkshire Forward is the Regional Development Agency behind the economic regeneration of Yorkshire and Humber. It aims to make a positive difference by investing in jobs, improving towns and cities, and in supporting businesses throughout the region.
- Over the past year, Yorkshire Forward has created and safeguarded more than 27,000 new jobs; helped create and attract more than 1,100 new businesses, provided nearly 66,000 learning opportunities and attracted more than £333 million private sector finance - achieving or exceeding all of the targets it was set.
- Yorkshire Forward’s investment across the region is maximised by attracting European Regional Development Funding from the Objective One and Two programmes.
- For further information, images or to arrange an interview, please contact Tori Wilkinson, Senior Press Officer on 0113 3949904 or on 07736181063 or email victoria.wilkinson@yorkshire-forward.com
.png)
