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Regional Export Cooperation
Published on 22 November 2018
Sweden
Norra Mellansverige
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
To help achieve the Government’s overall objective of Sweden having the lowest unemployment rate in the EU by 2020, Sweden’s export strategy was created and since Sweden would like to increase exporting businesses, it includes the creation of Regional Export Centres/Cooperations.
This initiative in the county of Värmland, coordinated by Region Värmland,and started in 2017, has the goal to increase the amount of small and medium sized businesses to enter and increase export to the international market. This will benefit long term competitiveness and development in the business sector. The county of Värmland border to Norway and international export is a good opportunity for businesses in the county.
By creating a new platform and network for regional export cooperation, consisting of 7 organisations that promote export, businesses in Värmland will get more knowledge about internationalization and export. This Regional export cooperation will for example arrange meetings and activities that contribute to educating the businesses and promote an exchange of experiences. A network like this will give the businesses an easier way to get the right help in the right time, one starting point and one road in. If a business contact any of the organisations within the network, they will see that the correct help is given.
This initiative in the county of Värmland, coordinated by Region Värmland,and started in 2017, has the goal to increase the amount of small and medium sized businesses to enter and increase export to the international market. This will benefit long term competitiveness and development in the business sector. The county of Värmland border to Norway and international export is a good opportunity for businesses in the county.
By creating a new platform and network for regional export cooperation, consisting of 7 organisations that promote export, businesses in Värmland will get more knowledge about internationalization and export. This Regional export cooperation will for example arrange meetings and activities that contribute to educating the businesses and promote an exchange of experiences. A network like this will give the businesses an easier way to get the right help in the right time, one starting point and one road in. If a business contact any of the organisations within the network, they will see that the correct help is given.
Resources needed
The Regional export cooperation (REC) is dependent on active organisations in the network and of staff that contribute with their expertise. Funding is also needed for staff to lead and manage the project and for activities and meetings to keep the network active.
Evidence of success
The REC network in Värmland was up running in August 2018 and supports businesses in the county in export and internationalisation. Businesses in Värmland have received knowledge about support and advise within export and internationalisation. Examples on activitis within REC is the "Steps To Export" education, workshops/seminars about export, packaging and promotion. The REC has during 1,5 years reached out with information to 8116 businesses and supported 15 businesses to start exporting.
Potential for learning or transfer
The concept of Regional Export Cooperation stems from a national initiative in Sweden and is implemented in the regions. Regions in other countries could learn from the regions in Sweden. Every regional centre is based on the region’s needs. The Cooperation in Värmland has a network with experts in trade with Norway, e.g. cooperation with organisations with experience to internationalize businesses within biobased economy (forest sector). This could benefit other regions.
Advice:
Ask actors if they see benefits to collaborate. Adapt to business needs. Identify the core actors, roles and tasks. Create a working group. Workshops to identify targets, usefulness, basic values and activities. Get mandate and resources to implement cooperation internally and externally. Make activities with the target groups to market the cooperation. "One door in" for the entrepreneur, forward questions to actors within and outside the group based on the needs of the entrepreneur.
Advice:
Ask actors if they see benefits to collaborate. Adapt to business needs. Identify the core actors, roles and tasks. Create a working group. Workshops to identify targets, usefulness, basic values and activities. Get mandate and resources to implement cooperation internally and externally. Make activities with the target groups to market the cooperation. "One door in" for the entrepreneur, forward questions to actors within and outside the group based on the needs of the entrepreneur.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Region Värmland
Sweden
Norra Mellansverige
Contact
International strategist