Participation of FACH-PAK Sp. z o.o. Sp. K. in a grant project implemented by the Pomeranian Export Broker

Project duration: July 2016 - June 2023

Total project budget - approximately PLN 84.08 million, including: project co-financing: PLN 64.08 million

The project is addressed to micro, small and medium entrepreneurs aiming at starting export activities, increasing export and conquering new markets*.
* with particular emphasis on industries covered by the Intelligent Specialisation of Pomerania

PROJECT OBJECTIVE AND MAIN ACTIVITIES

Objective:
Increased level of foreign trade of the SME sector through increasing the number of Pomeranian SMEs active in foreign markets, diversification of export markets of Pomeranian companies, increasing the share of Pomeranian companies in national exports, strengthening the brand of Pomeranian (Polish) companies.

The project consists in the creation and operation of a comprehensive system of support for international expansion of Pomeranian enterprises based on 3 pillars:

INTRODUCTION TO EXPORT - activities addressed to SMEs, which have not undertaken export activities so far or are beginners in exporting.
EXPORT DEVELOPMENT OF POMORSKIE COMPANIES ON SELECTED MARKETS - a dedicated programme of comprehensive activities strengthening exports of Pomeranian companies and promotion of the region on selected markets.
GRANTS FOR SMEs - an activity addressed to SMEs, which consists in the implementation of grant competitions for SMEs.
INTRODUCTION TO EXPORT
Activity aimed at identification of potential exporters in the region and preparation of SMEs for export through educational and consultative activities.

The most important part of this stage of the project is the creation of a network of local brokers whose task will be to:

reaching out to companies in the region that would like to export but do not know how to start, or are already exporting but would like to enter other markets,
identification of SMEs with export potential that have not been active on foreign markets so far,
Building a database on such companies and their market potential, products, services,
working with companies and assisting them in preparing for export
Other activities will include: seminars on markets and various aspects of international cooperation, training modules, export conferences, market information, market analyses, meetings of experienced exporters with novice exporters, etc.

EXPORT DEVELOPMENT OF POMERANIAN COMPANIES ON SELECTED MARKETS
The measure includes:

Economic promotion of the region
Activities (open list):
use and development of foreign contacts that individual project Partners have;
identification of existing and establishment of new foreign contacts in selected markets based on foreign brokers (they will provide information from given markets on an ongoing basis, search for contractors and perform services for Pomeranian SMEs); foreign brokers will operate in China and USA;
organisation of exhibitions, meetings for buyers to help Pomeranian SMEs create sales channels and find customers;
participation in trade fairs and organisation of economic missions;
implementation of initiatives whereby Pomeranian companies establish cooperation with each other and are able to respond to tenders or other requests for proposals from these markets on a larger scale.
GRANTS FOR SMEs

Grant competitions for companies - thanks to grants, companies or groups of companies will have the opportunity to support their activities related to promotion on foreign markets through participation in missions and fairs.Financing: max. 50% grants + 50% own contribution
It is planned to cover 500 companies with support. 
Four competitions are planned within the project - the first one in 2017. In selected competitions, preferences for Intelligent Specialisation and for companies that are properly prepared for international cooperation (e.g. have taken advantage of activities preparing for export, have made organisational changes in the company, have recommendations of a local broker)
EXPECTED EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT
Number of enterprises receiving support - 1800
Number of enterprises receiving non-financial support - 1300
Number of enterprises supported in the scope of internationalisation of their activity - 600
Number of supported information and promotion undertakings of international character - 475
Number of enterprises participating in information and promotion projects of international character - 10,000
Number of enterprises which introduced organisational and process changes - 200

HOW WILL THE PROJECT HELP COMPANIES TO START AND DEVELOP EXPORTS?

Pomeranian companies, products and brands will be promoted abroad through participation
missions and fairs;
Promotion of the region abroad;
The project will create conditions for cooperation of Pomeranian companies in the area of export;
The project will create conditions for establishing cooperation between Pomeranian companies in the area of export; Companies will be able to explore their export potential, determine their chances to export;
There will be activities aimed at diversification of export directions - foreign brokers;
The project will increase the awareness of enterprises of the benefits related to export - the project will provide knowledge about markets and potential foreign partners.
It will provide entrepreneurs with knowledge about conducting export, i.e. legal, customs, tax, marketing issues, conditions of activity and export to given markets, etc.
The POMERANIAN EXPORT BROKER is a partnership project implemented by the Pomerania Development Agency - the LEADING PARTNER, Regional Chamber of Commerce of Pomerania, Free Entrepreneurship Association/O.Terenowy Gdańsk, Inkubator STARTER, INVESTGDA and Pomeranian Science and Technology Park.