KIB Newsletter June 2021

Posted on: 27th May 2021

International Trade Webinars & Online Events – diary dates:

SEED Project Update

Introduction to the project webinars:

The SEED project which is being led by Kent County Council and Kent Invicta Chamber along with counterparts in Essex, Medway and East Sussex, will now run until May 2022 and will help small businesses to get into overseas markets.

The project will focus on the following sectors and markets and will include virtual trade missions later in the year. You can find out more about the project by attending one of our ‘introduction to the project’ webinars:

  • ‘Introduction to SEED’ Webinar for Health & Life Sciences Companies – Export to Southeast Asia, 10.00-10.30, 21 June
  • ‘Introduction to SEED’ Webinar for Food & Drink Companies – Export to US, Ireland, Hong Kong, 10.00 –11.00, 30 June 2021
  • ‘Introduction to SEED’ Webinar for Digital & Creative Companies – Export to US & Canada, 10.00 –11.00, 5 July 2021

Email natasha.white@kent.gov.uk to register.

Businesses interested in receiving free support from the project can click here to visit www.kentinternationalbusiness.co.uk/seed/ to find out more and to download and expression of interest form.

SEED Project Logo
SELEP Logo

UFO project Open Call matchmaking – 30 June 2021

This FREE matchmaking event will give you the opportunity to meet potential project partners and business partners during video pre-arranged 20 minute meetings and discuss potential partnership opportunities. Your agenda will be sent to you one week before the event with the exact time of your virtual meetings.

  • Do you have a project idea to present to UFO funding?
  • Are you looking for a partner to join your consortium?
  • Do you have an expertise or product that answers the UFO call’s requirements?
  • Do you want to join a consortium in construction?
  • Do you need additional information about the UFO open call procedure and funding?

For whom?

Companies that work with data:

  • sensors ( image, multi spectral, weather…)
  • communication and broadcast
  • Geolocalisation
  • Data processing, analysis or storage

Companies that develop:

  • drones
  • nanosatellites
  • HAPS and small flying objects

Technology and application actors in the following domains:

  • Mobility
  • Environment
  • Blue Growth
  • Finance and Insurance
  • Climate
  • Digital and cultural industries and Gaming

UFO is seeking collaborative projects (of 2 or more SMEs) to develop innovative products and services by integrating new embedded technology solutions in the Small Flying Objects (SFO) area i.e. Smallsats, Drones and High Altitude platform systems, to support the six targeted Emerging Industries.

Participation is open to all SMEs based in one of the UFO partners countries (Bulgaria, France, Greece, Romania, United Kingdom).

Through the pre-arranged networking, participants can look forward to:

  • start networking weeks before the event due to pre-event profiling
    (add business profile and view others profiles)
  • request and receive pre-arranged business matchmaking appointments
  • manage beforehand up to 21 high class B2B meetings (at 20 min) of your choice at fixed reserved table
  • The day will start with a key presentation of the project, its ambition and its Open Call and will be followed by an entire day open to business meetings.

IMPULS Project Launch:

Kent County Council and the SE Health Technologies Alliance are running a new project with the Eurasanté and Biotech Santé Bretagne clusters in France. IMPULS will help businesses in the Life Sciences sector to make connections across the Channel, participate in B2B matchmaking events and attend virtual trade shows and industry events.

Find out more by joining our launch webinar on 28 June. Please click here to find out more and register.

IMPULS Project Logo

KEIBA 2021:

The ‘Kent Excellence in Business Awards’ (KEIBAs) are returning for 2021. Why not enter to share your success in international markets?

Find out more about this year’s ‘Success in International Trade’ category and enter by visiting the KEIBA website

Previous winners have included VESPA Design, JewelUltra Ltd and Bedfont Scientific.

You have until 30 June to apply!

KEiBA-2021-logo

Britain in South East Asia (BiSEA)
BiSEA ONLINE ROADSHOW

FastTrack Your Export Growth In South East Asia

ABOUT BRITAIN IN SOUTH EAST ASIA (BiSEA)

Are you thinking about growing your business and exporting to South East Asia? Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce brings you this online event which will provide you with the opportunity to meet in-market representatives and discuss export opportunities specific to your business.

BiSEA is the grouping of British Chambers and Business Groups in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

South East Asia is a region where economic growth and development is expected to exceed the global average for the foreseeable future. With a wealth of natural resources, low-cost skilled labour, and a regional Free Trade Agreement, the great diversity of markets and opportunities are attractive across a wide range of sectors.

By 2030, South East Asia’s economy is predicted to eclipse Japan’s and be world’s 4th largest ‘single market’ after the EU, US and China. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) predicts that the size of the middle class in emerging Asia will increase from 24% of the population in 2010 to 65% in 2030. All of this leads to a ‘Community of Opportunities’.

Monday 21st June 2021

  • Overview presentation on trade opportunities for UK SME’s in South East Asia
  • Possible short presentations from DIT and another overseas trade facilitator (TBC)
  • Presentations from Country Representatives to outline individual opportunities in their markets
  • Offer of 1-2-1 discussions later in the week and outline of ‘eligibility’ i.e. serious interest only and no holiday-fishers!!

Tuesday 22nd & Wednesday 23rd June 2021

  • KICC will field 1-2-1 enquiries and vet the companies for genuine interest and international trade readiness
  • Once approved, each applicant will be given online access to a Doodle Poll to book their 1-2-1 slots
  • Each slot will be for 25 mins in each half hour, allowing for a quick rest break in between for the Representative

Thursday 24th & Friday 25th June 2021

  • Slots booked initially every half hour between 9am and midday UK time, with the facility to extend 1-2 more slots before or after.

The Internationalisation Fund: Co-Investment Funding for SMEs

The Department for International Trade (DIT) has launched its new Internationalisation Fund for eligible SMEs based in England.

If you are a SME based in the South East of England looking to grow your international sales, apply today for this free virtual event to discover how this fund can help. Plus, meet 1-2-1 with an International Trade Adviser to support and complete your funding application.

What is the Internationalisation Fund?

Launched in December 2020, the Internationalisation Fund provides match-funded grants between £1,000 and £9,000 to use for future business activities (subject to eligibility and availability) aimed at helping SMEs grow in new international markets.

Why should you attend?

At this free virtual event, our expert speakers will provide you with:
• An overview of the Internationalisation Fund, the eligibility criteria and key deadlines
• How to prepare and submit your application
• How to prepare your Export Action Plan
• What you can use the fund for including research & selection, website design and intellectual property (IP)

Attendees can also book a free 1-2-1 meeting with an International Trade Adviser who will help you agree your Export Action Plan (a pre-requisite to apply) and complete your Internationalisation Fund application.

Find out more about the fund by joining a free webinar session on:

GO4EXPORT: North Sea Neighbours Congress

Doing business between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands offers many import and export opportunities. On Thursday 17 June 2021, this event will bring together entrepreneurs, government and education active in agri-tech, food and biobased sectors. Meet new business partners in the UK and the Netherlands and learn from experts. Put the online event in your agenda and register now.

The congress is on Thursday 17 June 2021 from 15.00 – 18.00 (CET) or 14.00 – 17.00 (GMT). The language used during the conference is English. Participation in the event is free of charge.

What can you expect?

The Go4export North Sea Neighbours Congress is online, interactive and international. Curious? Read more about what to expect below.

  • Top speakers share their knowledge
    Top speakers tell you all the ins and outs of doing business between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Where do we see cultural differences and similarities? Where are the opportunities and challenges? Learn from these export experts.
  • Deepen your knowledge and interactions:
    What do you want to know more about? What will help your business? Choose a breakout session and exchange knowledge with entrepreneurs from the UK and the Netherlands. You can choose from the following themes:

    • Agri-Tech
    • Food and proteins
    • Healthy foods
    • Biobased
    • Establishing your business in The Netherlands
    • Practical aspects of exporting to the United Kingdom (Dutch session)
    • Practical aspects of exporting to the Netherlands

Find out more and register by clicking here.

 

Apply Now – £20m SME Brexit Support Fund 

The £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund can help small businesses with changes to trade rules with the EU through providing up to £2,000 to help with training or professional advice, if your business has up to 500 employees and no more than £100 million annual turnover.