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.
Tradefair, on behalf of Intellect and BKSTS work very closely with UKTI 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. Tradefair 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:
- they are 'new to export' according to the UKTI definition
- they have been exporting for less than 10 years.
- 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)
Eligibility Flow Chart
Terms and conditions
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.
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.ukti.gov.uk