Firms encouraged to seek opportunities in Europe
Feb 27, 2009
Businesses are being encouraged to look to Europe to beat the recession as Canterbury council courts opportunities in France and Belgium.
The council is part of the Transmanche Enterprise Network (TEN) project, a 1.4 million euro, three-year business support initiative involving authorities in Kent, France and Belgium.The aim is to help the district's small and medium-sized businesses develop trading links in northern France and western Belgium.
The project has offers firms a business audit to help companies with fewer than 10 employees explore the barriers they think prevent them from trading in France and Belgium.
It also provides free workshops and seminars which will cover topics such as tax advice and language courses.
Funding is available to provide French and Flemish language translations for 25 companies' websites.
The project will also subsidise businesses to attend exhibitions in northern France, western Belgium and England.
Council leader Cllr John Gilbey said: "As we build stronger relationships with our partners on the near continent, so the opportunities for businesses develop too.
"With this project it will become easier than ever to trade with companies over the channel, so I would urge local businesses to get involved and see how they can benefit."
The council's local economy team will be hosting meetings with representatives from France and Belgium to develop links with chambers of commerce and enterprise centres.
They want to establish a network of contacts that the district's small and medium-sized businesses can use when they want to trade with companies in these areas.
The business audit part of the project will be launched during March business month.
Business owners with fewer than 10 employees that would like to know more should contact Economic Development Officer Chris Inwood by calling 01227 862053 or emailing chris.inwood@canterbury.gov.uk.
