Grants available to firms looking to step up international activity
Businesses in Birmingham and Solihull who are looking to expand their international trade activity are being encouraged to apply for a government grant.
The Birmingham and Solihull Export Support Programme (BASESP) – funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) – provides grants to businesses looking to engage in new or enhanced export-readiness activity in overseas markets.
The grant fund will support 100 per cent of the total eligible costs up to £6,000.
Businesses can submit more than one bid up to a combined total value of £6,000 subject to funding availability at the time.
This grant is open to small to medium enterprise (SME) based within the Birmingham City Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council local authority areas.
Businesses from all sectors are eligible except for charities, those of a political or religious persuasion and any business activity that is illegal or deemed unsuitable for public support by Birmingham City Council.
BASESP is being used to encourage business growth by supporting projects that enable businesses to realise their exporting potential in existing and new markets, connect them to a wider trade and export support network, engage with overseas markets and trade missions and increase the value of goods and services exported.
Applications will be prioritised from businesses operating within the following sectors:
- fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG)
- clean growth
- automotive and future mobility
- advanced manufacturing
- health and life sciences
- legal, finance and business services
- food and drink
- education and training
- creative and digital
The fund will support businesses to become 'export ready' by providing financial assistance in areas such as market research, consultancy on intellectual property rights (IPR), translation services, cultural advice, social media and search engine optimisation (SEO), participation in trade shows and overseas trade missions, market development and routes to market, production of an export strategy and actively preparing a product or service for export.
Sian Timmins, head of international divisions at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “This is a fantastic initiative to help SMEs kickstart their international trade journeys.
“There are a whole host of services out there to help businesses who are looking to export or expand into new markets and funding opportunities like this can help them access some of those resources.”
Visit Birmingham City Council’s website for more information on how to apply.
