International Trade Midlands
About this good practice
Under the ERDF investment priority 2 of priority axis 3: 3d - Supporting the capacity of SMEs to grow in regional, national and international markets and to engage in innovation processes, ITAs support SME internationalisation journey. UK Department for International Trade (DIT) identified that these SMEs have the potential to export successfully and effectively with support – but for various reasons are not doing so.
SMEs that would have attended an event or get in touch with DIT for any support:
1)Go through a triage where International Trade Adviser (ITA) can assess the internationalisation experience
2) SME would be either directed to basics workshops to learn understand more or sent to an ITA for a one to one
3)SME get a full diagnostic with an ITA based at their local chamber of commerce and an action plan is agreed
4) International Trade Advisers provide a client management service to SME’s looking to Internationalise proactively for the first time or to further develop their current internationalisation activities – e.g. entering new markets.
They provide:
Client management services
Expert internationalisation advice
Assistance in developing Business Strategy/Plan
Facilitating the delivery of Department of International Trade (DIT)/West midlands Chamber of Commerce Limited Liability Partnership (WMCCLLP) internationalisation services
Facilitating delivery of other Internationalisation services
Signposting to other support organisations
Resources needed
Cost of 34 Trade Advisers across the region £1,870,000 per year. The team of ITAs who deliver the scheme, are based at Chamber of commerce across the region.
Evidence of success
The Coventry and Warwickshire team have a team target of 201 Export Wins from April 2017 until March 2018 and are in line with their targets
An export win is defined as either:-
1.New to Export – New to Exporting or which did not win an Export order in the last 12 months.
2.Sustainable Exporter - Exports in the previous 12 months (min £25k win value in 5 year forecast)
3.Additional Export Wins - maximum of 2-3 wins after category 1 or 2
Potential for learning or transfer
Areas that could be transferred are specific areas of expertise that are delivered by International Trade advisors. The whole package of support that provides an International Trade Management service through a network of chamber of commerce. Individual advisers are able to meet on one to one basis, engage with companies and specifically direct them to the most appropriate colleague for further support if required. There is opportunity to apply this service in other regions with the right amount of regional/national funding and support.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
UK Department for International Trade (DIT) delivered by West Midlands Chamber of Commerce Limited Liability Partnership (WMCCLLP)