council and Chamber of Commerce advise twenty small and medium-sized (SME) companies on the Island to help them in their internationalization through the Tenerife+Global project. The first phase, with ten beneficiaries, is already underway and interested entities can register until July 7 on the web cameral. The objectives range from simplifying and streamlining administrative procedures at customs to focusing production on the best possible foreign market. according to the reports of the previous diagnosis prepared by the technicians.
The CEO of the Cabildo’s Foreign Action area, Liskel Álvarez, values “promote the participation of new companies to export their products and services to other countries.”
For his part, the president of the Foreign Trade Commission of the Chamber, Arturo Escuder, indicates that “internationalization continues to be a pending issue for our productive fabric. We are committed to helping Tenerife companies overcome obstacles”
The program is aimed at small and medium-sized companies on the Island that want to start exporting. yese tries to advise and accompany them in the process of searching for new clients outside the Canarian market.
Twenty SMEs will benefit from this specialized and comprehensive advice from experts in foreign trade. It includes a personalized advice program so that they can enter the circuit of subsidies for internationalization. These can reach 400,000 euros in a development of up to six years according to the needs of each one.
The project consists of two phases. The first is intended for a dozen companies. The other ten will be eligible for the program in the second call, scheduled for the month of September.
For Arturo Escuder, «internationalization is a pending issue for our productive fabric. Nevertheless, There are around 8,000 Canarian companies that export abroad, a figure that has multiplied by 480% since 2000 and by 18% in recent years.
Liskel Álvarez points out that “we have worked with the Chamber to increase the number of exporting companies on the Island, through various programs to search for partners and clients.” He mentions “Xpande Digital to enhance foreign online positioning or Tenerife Licita”. He clarifies that “there is no service that covers this prior preparation to start exporting.”
Tenerife+Global is now joining the recent export and import guide from the Canary Islands, an initial roadmap.
A roadmap to the new market
The companies participating in this initiative will have the comprehensive and personalized support of a team of experts for several months. There the first steps to undertake to sell abroad will be defined. From an assessment of the viability of your international project, to support in choosing the most suitable market for your product or service – there is a look at Africa – or advice on foreign trade. Without forgetting the guidance on aid and subsidies available to access these markets. “We understand the uncertainty that this step can generate without having previous experience,” clarifies Liskel Álvarez. Arturo Escuder highlights that “from the Chamber, we are committed to helping companies overcome these first obstacles and Acción Exterior del Cabildo is a key partner”. He concludes: “We are the Canary Islands Chamber of Commerce that carries out the most trade missions.” | jdm
