
Around 20 local entrepreneurs participated in a training seminar focusing on export-related issues organised by Malta Enterprise as part of the programme of activities for the European SME week.
Tackling matters such as how to improve the way a business is run, communications and business marketing, the seminar was aimed at entrepreneurs, business organisations and educational institutions looking towards developing markets abroad.
The seminar was especially useful for those looking at exporting for the first time, but also for those entrepreneurs with some experience who were seeking to refine their export management skills.
Malta Enterprise Export Support Manager Mark Pizzuto gave an overview of the Corporation's many schemes and incentives aimed at supporting companies to expand their business beyond Malta's shores, particularly the Trade Promotion Scheme and the SME Development Grant Scheme.
Other presentations were delivered by Omar Vella, General Manager at the Malta Institute of Management, and Joe Esposito, Executive Head at the Trade Finance Centre of Bank of Valletta plc.
Mr Vella spoke about the importance of conducting proper market research, which is pivotal to an entity's success in its effort to export its products or services. He further pointed out that success in export lies in the ability of exporters to adopt an integrated systems approach incorporating all facets of the export process and transaction.
On his part, Mr Esposito spoke about the difference between regular lending and Trade Finance, which is a source of working capital for many traders in need of financing to procure, process or manufacture products, as well as services that assist importers and exporters to fulfil their financing needs.
Details were also given about the Gateway to Export programme administered by Malta Enterprise, which provides particular help to clearly identify export or capability issues and move the enterprise towards the next stage of its export planning.
Further information on the programme, as well as information and guidance on the required application forms, may be obtained by contacting the Internationalisation Unit at Malta Enterprise on 2542 0000 or via email on [email protected] .