HIE HELPS FIRMS TO LOOK FOR MARKETS AROUND THE WORLD

14th October 2007

Helping companies to get into the international marketplace is the focus of a series of workshops being organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

The next event on Thursday, October 25 at Horizon Scotland, Forres Enterprise Park, in entitled 'Identifying and Evaluating Overseas Markets' and aims to help Highlands and Islands businesses identify key export markets for their products.

The workshop, which is free to company representatives in the HIE area, is geared toward companies which offer, or can offer, goods or services to any part of the world. It will be especially useful to companies wondering if they are targeting the best export markets for their products and services. Others may think that their resources for international trade are over stretched, or it may be that they would like to export, but they are not sure which markets to go for first.

All these area will be explored during the all day event which includes comprehensive course notes, lunch and other refreshments.

Delegates will find out how to select the best potential international markets; evaluating and prioritising export opportunities; using research, including the internet, for export planning and decision making; field research, including maximising overseas visits; and interpreting and making use of the results. The workshop is appropriate for managers and staff involved in all areas of export decision making.

As part of its extensive international trade advice and assistance, HIE intends to build on this workshop with follow-up events over the next 18 months on topics such as 'An introduction to exporting'; 'Researching overseas markets'; 'Finding and choosing agents and distributors' and 'Export finance."

To book a place online go to www.smas.co.uk/export

For further information call Stewart at SMas Ltd (project manager) on telephone number 01369 830000.