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International Trade Support
Published on 16 November 2018
Netherlands
Drenthe
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
ITS has been organised on instigation of the Province of Friesland. Municipality of Leeuwarden have assisted in the initiation phase as well and now supports the ITS organisation.
The Frisian economy is lacking exports compared to the national statistics. There are many regional SMEs which are supplying half-fabricate products to companies in other parts of the country and which are then exported. These Frisian companies should develop a specific product or productline for themselves and start exporting. To find out who is able to that, a first line organisation is needed to go into the field and meet the entrepreneurs. The advisor of ITS can signpost the entrepreneur to a known body in the region (such as Enterprise Europe, World Trade Center or other international support organisations). ITS is used to go out and talk to as many SMEs as possible.
Part of the ITS work is also research. This is executed by the NHL/Stenden university, a university in the region and contributor to ITS. The research tries to find reasons why SMEs do not export as much as the national average.
First product of ITS is the Export Carousel. 4-6 students from NHL/Stenden are connected to the SME companies and execute market research in foreign markets. Foreign students at NHL/Stenden with roots in foreign countries are used to increase the fit between students, companies and markets.
The Frisian economy is lacking exports compared to the national statistics. There are many regional SMEs which are supplying half-fabricate products to companies in other parts of the country and which are then exported. These Frisian companies should develop a specific product or productline for themselves and start exporting. To find out who is able to that, a first line organisation is needed to go into the field and meet the entrepreneurs. The advisor of ITS can signpost the entrepreneur to a known body in the region (such as Enterprise Europe, World Trade Center or other international support organisations). ITS is used to go out and talk to as many SMEs as possible.
Part of the ITS work is also research. This is executed by the NHL/Stenden university, a university in the region and contributor to ITS. The research tries to find reasons why SMEs do not export as much as the national average.
First product of ITS is the Export Carousel. 4-6 students from NHL/Stenden are connected to the SME companies and execute market research in foreign markets. Foreign students at NHL/Stenden with roots in foreign countries are used to increase the fit between students, companies and markets.
Expert opinion
ITS is an exemplary good practice in many regards. This practice aims to promote and support export through advisers, academic research and by connecting students with SMEs.
One of the strengths of the IST model is its proactive engagement with local entrepreneurs. Individual SMEs are reached out to provide advice and to signpost them to other relevant SME support institutions. Therefore, rather than to wait for SMEs to approach the relevant support organizations, ITS itself takes the first step.
Additionally, triple helix cooperation is at the center of ITS activities. Export support services are offered to SMEs in collaboration with the University. Students (especially those from foreign countries) are connected with SMEs to execute marked research on foreign markets. It is a clever way of tapping into available resources. Students who know the target market´s culture and language can bring added value to export analysis of SMEs. Furthermore, it can also be a chance for the students to enter the labor market. Many EU countries are developing methods to retain international graduates in their labor markets. This export service under ITS could, as a side product, also contribute in this regard.
The evidence of success illustrates that with just one year the practice has had an impact on regional cooperation and even export figures. This practice could have high replication value in other contexts, especially where (foreign) students are available to assist SMEs.
One of the strengths of the IST model is its proactive engagement with local entrepreneurs. Individual SMEs are reached out to provide advice and to signpost them to other relevant SME support institutions. Therefore, rather than to wait for SMEs to approach the relevant support organizations, ITS itself takes the first step.
Additionally, triple helix cooperation is at the center of ITS activities. Export support services are offered to SMEs in collaboration with the University. Students (especially those from foreign countries) are connected with SMEs to execute marked research on foreign markets. It is a clever way of tapping into available resources. Students who know the target market´s culture and language can bring added value to export analysis of SMEs. Furthermore, it can also be a chance for the students to enter the labor market. Many EU countries are developing methods to retain international graduates in their labor markets. This export service under ITS could, as a side product, also contribute in this regard.
The evidence of success illustrates that with just one year the practice has had an impact on regional cooperation and even export figures. This practice could have high replication value in other contexts, especially where (foreign) students are available to assist SMEs.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
The resources needed for this 4 year project is approximately 2 MEuro. Of which 950.000 Euro in cash and the rest in kind support by the executing organisations. In ITS 3 FTE people are actively working. It needs back up support by the Provincial Government.
Evidence of success
In 2018, ITS has served 107 Frisian companies and has initiated 39 projects with 251 students and 40 professors. Meanwhile 6 projects have been concluded, 17 are running, 13 are in evaluation phase, 4 are stopped. 12 companies have increased exports, 15 companies have increased awareness of exports. Also 4 new co-operations have initiated between 6 universities and 12 SMEs to foster cross border co-operation.
Outcomes of the research in general is a lack of co-operation. ITS changes this fact.
Outcomes of the research in general is a lack of co-operation. ITS changes this fact.
Potential for learning or transfer
For peripheral regions like Friesland in the Netherlands, with a backlog in international working, this ITS system works well. There is money and time available to address individual SMEs and reach out on an individual advice level. Co-operation is organised between Universities, Government and SME companies.
To implement the line of working of ITS, an entity should be established or found which will act as a first line of advise service point. People with business oriented competences should be asked to run it and start to communicate pro-active with enterpreneurs in the region.
Policy makers can use the experience of ITS by either asking ITS to come and tell about the service or to come and see ITS in Leeuwarden. They would be happy to make time for you and demonstrate their model.
To implement the line of working of ITS, an entity should be established or found which will act as a first line of advise service point. People with business oriented competences should be asked to run it and start to communicate pro-active with enterpreneurs in the region.
Policy makers can use the experience of ITS by either asking ITS to come and tell about the service or to come and see ITS in Leeuwarden. They would be happy to make time for you and demonstrate their model.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Province of Fryslân
Netherlands
Drenthe
Contact
Managing Director