SMEs get £1 million exporting boost
InterTradeIreland has made funding available to help local SMEs grow their business in the Republic of Ireland
Finding new business can be difficult at times, but InterTradeIreland can help with the Acumen programme.
Eligible businesses will be able to secure up to £15,000 in funding through the programme which helps increase cross-border export sales, improve knowledge of new markets and identify new business opportunities.
What Acumen will fund
The funding can help businesses to employ a full-time or part-time salesperson, employ a graduate to undertake a 12 month project or explore opportunities in a new market with a market research project.
“Our research shows that 49 per cent of businesses have been severely affected by the slump in domestic demand due to the economic downturn and that exporters are significantly outperforming those companies which are dependent on their local market,” Margaret Hearty, Director of Business Services and Programmes for InterTradeIreland explained.
“With ease of access and familiarity, the cross-border market is a valuable opportunity for Northern Ireland companies and one which may open up wider markets internationally.
“Our Acumen programme provides businesses with the support and assistance needed to help them to grow and enhance their competitiveness by seeking out these wider cross-border export opportunities. I urge any SME that is interested in developing its business into new markets, to register their interest in this programme.”
Eligibility
To qualify for support through the Acumen programme, businesses should be a local manufacturing or a tradable service company with less than 250 employees and an annual turnover below £40 million.
You can find out more about the Acumen programme on the InterTradeIreland website – Opens in a new window.
Source: nibusinessinfo.com
