Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) should explore new markets in Europe to help them prosper, delegates were told at the North East England in a Global Europe (NEIGE) conference.
The conference held at the Marriott Hotel in Newcastle was attended by approximately 140 delegates including European diplomats, key industrialists and senior representatives from the European Commission.
It was sponsored by the Enterprise Europe Network North East (EEN) along with the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).
EEN is made up of three partner organisations Teesside University, the Centre for Process Innovation and Newcastle Science City and works to link businesses in the North East with markets and contacts in Europe.
Dr Joanna Drake, Director of SME Competitiveness at the European Commission’s Directorate General for Enterprise, said the 23million SME’s performed a vital role in the European economy, accounting for 60% of GDP and eight out of 10 jobs.
However, only 25% of EU SMEs export to other countries in the single market and only 13% are active in markets outside of Europe.
As well as providing contacts in European markets, Enterprise Europe Network helps SMEs access funding and finance programmes and provides advice on subjects such as international company law. Dr Drake urged businesses to take advantage of the help and support it offers.
She said: 'It’s never been easier for companies to do business in Europe.
'I hope people will see the opportunities to expand and grow in this region.'
Her comments were echoed by Ulrika Funered, the Deputy Head of Mission and Minister Counsellor at the Swedish Embassy in London. After taking about the many business opportunities for British firms in Sweden, she told delegates: 'In order to help businesses to prosper, we must work closely together.
'The better we know each other the easier it is to do trade.'
Other speakers at the conference included: • Anne-Marie Martin, Chief Executive, Council of British Chambers of Commerce in Europe • Ralph Saelzer, Managing Director, Liebherr Sunderland Ltd • Matthew Forrest, Strategy Director, Sage Plc • Andrew Shaw, Chief Executive, Guardian Marine Testing • Ben de Smit, Economic and Commercial Attaché, Belgian Embassy • David Coppock, Regional Director, UKTI.
Laura Woods, Teesside University’s Director of Academic Enterprise and EEN North East Coordinator, said that following the conference, there would be a series of workshops for businesses to help them trade in European markets.
She added: 'We know how important the concept of expanding into Europe is for the North East region.
'This conference must be a launch pad for a more concerted effort to promote the benefits of going beyond the boundaries of the North East.
'We want to use these events as a starting point for providing a real practical help to businesses in the North East.'