UKTI Support
UKTI is the
Government’s export arm and is part of the Department of Business
and Regulatory Reform. The objective of UKTI is to promote
international trade.
The BMF and UKTI work very closely to bring you not only
financial support but also an extensive knowledge base including
accessing new markets, export laws and legislation and many more
things. Below we have listed two of UKTI's most popular funding and
support avenues.
The
TAP
program provides grant
support for eligible small & medium sized enterprises to attend
the overseas trade shows that appear on their approved trade show
list. The BMF is active in the creation of the list of
approved exhibitions - if you would like to know the list of
approved exhibitions please click
here.
Summary of
TAP
Terms and Conditions and
Eligibility Flow Charts
SME
s will be
eligible to seek grant support if either or both of the following
applies:
1. they are ‘new to export’ according to the UKTI
definition
2. they have been exporting for less than 10 years.
3. they have had less than 6 grants since April 2009
Using these criteria together will allow
TAP
to support a range of
relatively inexperienced businesses: novice exporters; businesses
whose exports have not yet taken off as a proportion of their
turnover; and ‘born globals’ who may be very young companies but
have been exporting substantially since their inception. This
change will come into effect now and will therefore apply to the
rest of this year as well as next year.
Mature
SME
exporters who do not fit within the above criteria i.e. they have
been exporting for more than 10 years and have total exports above
25% of turnover, may still qualify for support if they are seeking
to participate in a show where they have not taken part in the
previous edition.
To illustrate this further we have Eligibility flow charts and
the full terms and conditions available for download (PDF
format)
Free British Airways flights for first time TAP
applicants
UKTI have secured 400 free flights for first time TAP
applicants. To qualify for these flights all you simply need to do
is fill in your TAP application form and send it to the BMF
indicating that you would like to apply for the free flight. The
offer is available for all marine related shows up until 31st March
2010.
For more information please see the British Airways section
of the UKTI website
Other UKTI Services
UKTI can also assist in developing your
international business with the following services:
OMIS
Overseas Market Information Service (OMIS) - if you want to
investigate a new market, select a new agent/distributor, find key
contacts in the local government - just commission a UKTI
Commercial Officer to carry out an
OMIS
. They will
create a bespoke report; arrange a visit with meetings, a reception
in the Embassy or whatever you brief them! A fee is chargeable
dependant on the level of work involved. A number of large and
small companies in the marine industry already use this
service.
To illustrate the benefits of the OMIS service further we have
two case studies available to read these, please click here
EMRS
The Export Marketing Research Scheme (EMRS) helps and
encourages UK companies to undertake overseas marketing research
prior to developing a strategy for market entry or further
investment in an overseas market. This entails the systematic and
objective collection of information about an overseas market, to
help companies reach sound decisions on issues such as:
- Whether or not to export to a new market
- How best to deliver products / services in the market
- Whether to, and how best to invest in the country
The scheme aims to ensure that UK companies undertake or
commission marketing research based on sound methods.
The Export Marketing Research Scheme (EMRS) is managed by the
British Chambers of Commerce on behalf of UK Trade &
Investment. Funding is available for SME's that qualify under the
usual UKTI criteria. More information, including how to apply is
available on the
British Chambers of Commerce website
MVS
The Market Visit Support (MVS) scheme aims to provide companies
with financial support for visiting overseas shows or markets that
they are interested in exploring. MVS is organised by UKTI and
managed by their regional offices. Your first point of contact is
with a local International Trade Adviser - we can put you in
touch, otherwise call UKTI on +44 (0)20 7215 8000 or visit
www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk