Enterprise Estonia provides nearly 189 million kroons of aid for Estonian exporters
Last year Enterprise Estonia provided a total of nearly 189 million kroons of assistance to 242 projects in the export sector to increase the competitiveness of Estonian companies in international markets.
Enterprise Estonia Export Division director Allar Korjas said that in spite of the ups and downs in monthly Estonian export statistics, many companies were able to increase their sales to markets abroad in the second half of 2009. "As of the end of 2009, 187 Estonian companies were implementing export projects with assistance from Enterprise Estonia," said Korjas. "The economic crisis has led our companies to seek out international markets more actively and to request more state aid. The export projects submitted to Enterprise Estonia for co-financing are more carefully considered than in the past - entrepreneurs are focusing on only the activities and foreign markets that hold the highest hopes of success."
Enterprise Estonia has provided support for 117 export marketing projects as well as on 97 occasions for participation in or visits to foreign trade fairs. On 16 occasions, companies' joint marketing projects were supported and on 12 occasions, the recruitment of development personnel from abroad.
The two categories that were tied for the greatest number of projects supported last year - 26 - were the export of machinery, equipment and metal products and the sale of computers electronics and software solutions to international markets. On 17 occasions, export plans related to furniture, timber houses and timber processing received grants, followed by projects in the food processing sector (8), rubber and plastic products (5), clothing (5) and ships and boats (3).
The greatest number of export support recipients is from Tallinn and Harju County (172), Tartu County (30), Ida-Viru County and Viljandi County (8 from each) and Pärnu County and Saaremaa (5 from each). The destination countries most often mentioned in projects are still Finland (101 projects), Sweden (90 projects), Latvia and Norway (63 projects each), Germany (62 projects), Russia (55 projects) and Lithuania (51 projects), then Great Britain, Denmark, France, Ukraine, the Netherlands and the United States.
With the support of the European Regional Development Fund, Enterprise Estonia offers exporters five options for export assistance.
A grant can be requested from the Export Marketing Programme for implementing a marketing plan for up to a two-year period. The largest eligible expenditures are generally related to participation in major international trade fairs or visits to foreign markets. In addition, Enterprise Estonia also provides support for production of product catalogues, marketing materials and samples, trademark registration and more. The maximum grant amount is 2.5 million kroons and up to 50% of expenditures.
The Development Personnel Involvement Grant offers assistance for recruitment of an internationally experienced researcher, technician, designer or marketing director from outside Estonia. Support for up to 50% of the employee's salary can be requested for up to three years.
The Knowledge and Skills Development Grant supports work-related training aimed at increasing companies' competitiveness. Enterprise Estonia funds up to 50% of the training.
In the framework of the Foreign Trade Fair Grant and Joint Marketing Grant, companies can request assistance for participating in a trade fair or launching joint marketing events. Enterprise Estonia funds up to 50% of the project cost, and the maximum amount is one million kroons.
For more information on grant possibilities, visit www.eas.ee/eksport. Before writing your application, it is a good idea to bring your marketing plan to a consultation appointment with Enterprise Estonia.
