Brandenburg: New funding for developing foreign markets

In order to take advantage of the opportunities offered by advancing digitalization during the Corona pandemic, the Brandenburg Ministry of Economic Affairs is supporting its small and medium-sized enterprises.

This article is part of the special feature GründerNavi – for founders and young companies

The Brandenburg Ministry of Economic Affairs aims to prepare small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for foreign markets. The new " GRW-Markt International " guideline is a component of the state of Brandenburg's foreign trade initiative. It was launched at the beginning of the year.

Promoting participation in virtual trade fairs and congresses

New to the funding program is participation in virtual formats of internationally oriented events such as trade fairs and congresses, both domestically and abroad. This is due to the digitalization trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic . The ministry aims to motivate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to seize the opportunities of digitalization and enhance their digital skills. Also new is the funding of market development consulting services provided by external coaches. Within a single company, multiple independent projects can receive funding.

"At a time when the trade fair business has virtually come to a standstill due to the coronavirus, we want to support our small and medium-sized enterprises in using virtual formats and thus presenting their products and services on a larger scale," said Economics Minister Jörg Steinbach at the launch of the new guideline.

Establish and strengthen contacts

"Even though opening up new international markets is certainly not a priority for our companies right now due to the pandemic, we mustn't lose sight of the fact that internationalization strengthens competitiveness . It's about companies making and strengthening contacts even in these times by participating in virtual events . With the new funding program, we want to make it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises in Brandenburg to take the step into international markets," said the minister.

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Starter support for newcomers to international business

" GRW-Markt International" creates new incentives for companies to venture onto the international stage, according to Steinbach. The minister pointed out that, in addition to the classic format of internationally oriented trade fairs and exhibitions , information events, symposia, congresses, and pitching sessions both domestically and abroad are now also being supported. Furthermore, there is a start-up grant program with special funding rates for start-ups and companies that want to position themselves in international markets for the first time.

In addition to the internationally oriented funding programs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs continues to support the participation of companies from Brandenburg in regional and supra-regional trade fairs , provided these are listed in the current joint trade fair plan of the states of Berlin and Brandenburg.

Applications for funding can be submitted to the Investment Bank of the State of Brandenburg (ILB) since January 2, 2021 .

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