GATEWAY TO EXPORT – get ready to go global
A programme for export readiness - An initiative to help enterprises tap into new markets
Malta Enterprise (ME) has devised a programme to encourage and assist Micro & Small Enterprises with their exporting efforts through an assessment and skills based programme, as well as participating in drawing up a Preparation and Implementation Plan for Export.
It is an initiative aimed at encouraging Micro and Small Enterprises to assess whether or not they are ready to venture into new markets through their exports and by giving them the required know-how and confidence to excel in the international marketplace.
ME will be appointing a Business Specialist to mentor the participating enterprise through the various stages of preparing for this exciting programme and helping towards the company’s readiness for export. It is a structured, yet flexible programme that can be completed in around 18 months.
Initially, interested enterprises are to follow an online export assessment questionnaire to help gauge their export readiness. This is only a guide, and a low score shouldn’t discourage them – it may just mean they need to work more on their export skills!!. This guide will help the participating enterprises to clearly identify possible export or capability issues and move their enterprise towards the next stage of export planning.
The objective of this initiative is targeting Micro & Small Enterprises ngaged in the following sectors: manufacturing industry, creative industries, Information & Communication Technologies, education & training, health services & life sciences, financial services, transportation & logistics, as well as some tourism sectors, to assist them in their export efforts, such that exporting becomes a regular part of their business.
Main benefits for enterprises following this internationalisation programme, include:
- flexible approach to meet the needs of micro and small enterprises
- focus on capacity building to accommodate export orders
- more investment in training and upgrading present quality standards
- greater awareness of overseas opportunities
- more emphasis on business development
- potential employment, new skills and company growth
- monitoring of progress and guidance to applicants
The focus for enterprises to be eligible for the programme need to be Micro or Small Enterprises employing less than 50 employees and having an annual turnover of not more € 10,000,000. Moreover export sales, if any, must not exceed 20% of the annual turnover.
With the assistance of an ME appointed Business Specialist, the enterprise will undergo a capability assessment and/or Gap analysis which will objectively diagnose the company’s potential to export in a sustainable manner, resulting in an export preparedness plan. At the same time and/or if necessary, a series of workshops and training sessions will help familiarise the enterprise with the requisites expected by an export market and be compliant with international standards.
Assistance to clients in participating at international networking events and providing for further market research, including visiting potential overseas markets as identified in the action plan, will also be made available. Support will also be provided to ensure that good practice is being exercised and that opportunities are seized, as well as that problems unearthed during the market visits be overcome and followed up.
The support provided by the programme will help the enterprise to address identified gaps in their business process and operations such as:
- Compliance to global quality standards thus requiring the need to upgrade the product or services, as well as possibly having the need to change the product's packaging and labelling
- Requrie particular resources to help increase productivity such as the need of additional machinery to automate a new process
- Provide opportunities for Staff training with a focus on international business development and exportation
- Assist opportunities for Staff training with a focus on international business development and exportation
- Assist with support towards new marketing initiatives by helping out with their website, promotional material, and market visit/s
- Monitoring & Evaluation by the ME Business Adviser will be continuous to help ensure the company's successful Implementation of the export ready plan.
- ME will thus assist the participating enterprises in drawing up a Preparation & Implementation Action Plan for Export, and will then support them throughout the implementation to build on their export initiatives.
- Prior to applying for participation, prospective participants are advised to contact ME for guidance on the application process. Once an application is submitted, it will be checked for eligibility and a Letter of Approval will then be issued to the enterprises successfully chosen to participate in the programme.
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 ME on tel: 2542 3430 or internationalisation@maltaenterprise.com
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