Hi Daniel, As per our conversation last week, following are the
details of the support which may be available to you subject to
meeting UKTI conditions.
1. Tradefair Access Programme (TAP): we offer two types of grants to
companies wishing to participate in overseas exhibitions. A grant of
£1800 is available to companies not in receipt of a maximum of 3
grants in the last twelve months and not exporting more than 25% of
its total sales exhibiting overseas with the help of a recognised (by
UKTI) trade association. Kendra does not fall into this category as
it is not accredited by UKTI or looking for exhibition stand and
space costs. Even if Kendra were a recognised trade association, TAP
rules would not permit it to apply for the grant for it to attend an
event on behalf of its members as trade associations can't directly
apply for a grant in this way. The support would only be available to
individual companies whose level of grant would be dependent on the
existence or non existence of a trade association with respect to a
particular event.
The second grant of £1500 is aimed at companies wishing to exhibit
overseas for the first time and under their own steam. We call this
grant 'solo show' grant because this grant is available to companies
interested in exhibitions not covered by industry/ sector trade
associations recognised by UKTI. As with the first grant, the purpose
of this grant is to cover stand and space costs only. Crucially, both
grants are made available on a retrospective basis, meaning companies
claim the grants post event, with proof of attendance in the form of
invoices. As it's not clear that you are interested in stand and
space costs, it would seem that this grant is also not suitable for
you.
2. Market Visit Grants - we operate discretionary grants up to £600
available on a first come first service to companies wishing to visit
a market for the first time and for research purposes. Depending on
the situation with this budget, we may be able to support individual
companies involved with the China trip; but only with the support of
sound business cases illustrating the commercial impetus behind the
trip and consistency of the China opportunity with the company
business strategy. In this business case we would be looking to
understand the confluence of factors underpinning the China
opportunity, the entry options and costs and timings.
3. Finally, we offer support over 18 months to companies in the early
stages of internationalisation via our flagship scheme Passport to
Export which provides up to £1500 of matched funding of which a third
can be used for travel and accommodation. This scheme works by
invitation only and companies are subject to a business diagnostic as
part of the qualification process.
If any of your members qualify for the above support, please provide
me with their details - company background including financial and
domestic business profile, international orientation, reasons for
looking at China.
I hope you will find the above useful.
Regards,
Keith