Andy Snell, director of international trade at Liverpool & Sefton Chamber of Commerce, says that, until the end of next year, Merseyside companies can claim up to £1,500 to support overseas business trips. Tony McDonough reports.

One of Liverpool city region’s leading experts on international trade is urging local firms to take advantage of free Euro cash support for exporters before the UK exits the EU.

The British Government is on the verge of triggering Article 50 to begin the two-year process of our withdrawal from the EU.

However, while we remain in the EU, money continues to be made available to firms to support their efforts in trading overseas via the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Business trips

Andy Snell, director of international trade at Liverpool & Sefton Chamber of Commerce, says that, until the end of next year, Merseyside companies can claim up to £1,500 to support overseas business trips.

This can be for trips to trade shows or to negotiate new deals, sign new export contracts or increase export sales.

The money can be used towards economy class flight travel, accommodation and/or exhibition stand costs.

To be eligible for the ERDF assistance firms must be:

• Actively trading and eager to grow their export business
• Have headquarters in the Liverpool city region
• Be a small and medium-sized enterprise (less than 250 employees)
• Not have received more than £170,980 public funding in the last three years

Invaluable support

Andy said: “International trade is now high on the agenda and there are a wealth of trading opportunities for Liverpool city region firms across the world.

“Budgets can be tight for growing SMEs so the ERDF fund could prove invaluable in helping businesses accelerate their exports.

“We don’t know what kind of support, if any, will be available for businesses after we leave the EU so we would urge entrepreneurs to get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can help them apply.”

US trade boost

One city region business that did seek help from the chamber was Runcorn-based SOG, owner of the hugely successful Heath Business and Technical Park.

Through the chamber’s New Markets and Exports Growth programme, SOG travelled to the US to present at the Virginia Occupational Health and Safety Conference last October.

The firm was working with its US east coast commercial partner, Circle Safety, with the aim of generating new leads to deliver its Employee Engagement training programme in the States.

Attending the conference proved to be a great success with 10 companies having signed up to work with Circle Safety in 2017.

SOG described the the chamber assistance in helping them access the ERDF funding as “superb”.

• For more information about the the ERDF funding email julie.Sankey@liverpoolchamber.org.uk