STIMUTRAN-SME: Stimulating Transnational SME Interactions

International business activities and innovation have become a pre-condition for regional development and competitiveness. The globalisation process has made it necessary for North West Europe’s (NWE) SMEs, which are the main drivers of economic growth, innovation and employment,  to become more active in the international business arena. The Lisbon programme of the European Commission, the 3rd Cohesion Report and other EU policy documents have confirmed this development. However, for many SMEs it is very difficult to adapt to this new situation; they often lack the knowledge and capacity for implementing transnational/international business activities. Furthermore, for SMEs in rural regions it is even more difficult to start with transnational actions. It has become clear that, for a healthy economic development of the NWE region, transnational business activities are essential.

 

Stimulating Transnational SME interactions (STIMUTRAN-SME) will therefore, address the following issues:

      1.      Lack of transnational SME interaction and networking in the NWE region

      2.      Insufficient SME development and competition in and between rural and urban areas of NWE

      3.      Evident lack of innovation in rural SMEs

 

These issues will be address through the following project objectives:

      1.      Increase transnational SME interaction between the participating NWE countries (i.e. the Netherlands, Belgium,

               Luxembourg, Germany, United Kingdom and Ireland). 

      2.      Promote rural-urban SME development and competition in participating NWE regions (taking into account the dynamic

               rural-urban relationship); promoting a balanced spatial development between rural and urban areas

      3.      Stimulate knowledge transfer and innovation between SMEs in the NWE.

 

 

Foreseen actions

In order to reach these objectives the following main actions are foreseen in this project;

• Establishing Transnational Matching Centres (TMCs) in all project partner organisations and establish a TMC-network in the NWE region. The main task of the TMCs will be to assist SMEs with starting and implementing transnational business activities and finding a business partner which is compatible. The network will continue its activities after the project and will be extended with other partners. During the second partner meeting (Stuttgart, October 31, 2006) all partners signed the Transnational Matching Centre (TMC) Declaration of Intent. With this Declaration partners have shown their commitment to successfully develop their own TMC, which provides matching services for SMEs. Each partner has also received a nameplate for its TMC; to make its centre more visible in its own organisation. 
• Organizing a pilot matching event at the Automotive Supplier 2006 event  on October 31, 2006 in Stuttgart, Germany. This pilot is important in order to see if the concept needs adjustments.
• Organizing seminars on transnational matching. With these seminars SMEs will be informed about and prepared for transnational matching.   
• Organizing 7 matching events in 6 partner countries. Each partner will bring 5-8 SMEs to each matching event. These are small scale (60-80 SMEs) 2-day events for SMEs. Each matching event will have a special focus on one or more sectors, depending on the partner region involved and the results from the SME matching database. For each event specific sectors will be targeted; this will promote cross sector development and innovation. The 7 events will match between 420-560 NWE SMEs. In order to create synergy most of the events will be organized at existing trade fairs. Here you will find more information about STIMUTRAN-SME business matching events 2007.
• Selecting SMEs for matching. This will be done through the SME matching database, the seminars and the Transnational Business Co-operation Checklist (TranB-checklist). The selection will be based on the SME’s ability to implement transnational business activities (e.g. product, production and financial capacity, marketing, technical compliance etc.), its location (rural-urban) and innovative capacity.
• Assisting individual SMEs before and after the matching events. This is an essential action in order to initiate and materialise the new business contacts (from contact to contract).
• The organisation of a final conference to disseminate the project results and present best practices.

Innovative approach

STIMUTRAN-SME is an innovative project due to its approach towards the promotion of transnational business activities of SMEs:

• First of all, the project establishes Transnational Matching Centres (TMCs), which do not exist in NWE (or outside the NWE).
• Secondly, the selection procedure and criteria of SMEs; these will be based on the rural-urban location of the SMEs and their innovative capabilities.
• Thirdly, the matching events are small scale and SMEs will receive assistance before (during) and after the events (from contact to contract!). The idea of company matching itself is not new but the way this project is approaching this service is.

 

Transnational Business Matching Database

 

Are you thinking about starting up or expanding your international business activities? STIMUTRAN-SME can help you with finding new international business partners. Placing your Transnational Business Cooperation profile in the STIMUTRAN-SME Matching Database is the first step in this process. 

 

The STIMUTRAN-SME project has developed an extensive business cooperation profile for SMEs. The profile is an important instrument because it gives summary of your company, information about the type of cooperation which is asked for and the technical/organisational/financial requirements for your potential business partner.

This business cooperation profile includes some of the following elements:

• Type of company

• Turn over

• R&D activities

• Products/services

• International business cooperation experience

• Partner profile

• Languages spoken

After you have filled in and saved your profile in the STIMUTRAN-SME matching database you are ready to start with participating in The STIMUTRAN-SME Matching Events.

 

STIMUTRAN-SME Matching Events are an exclusive opportunity to meet and match successfully with SMEs in the North West Europe and beyond.

In 2007 we will organise business matching events in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands/Belgium, Ireland and Luxemburg.

 

Unique features of STIMUTRAN-SME Matching Events:

• Expert assistance before, during and after your matching activities (i.e. export plan, product requirements, business cultures, market surveys etc.);

• Meeting new business partners at large international trade fairs and events;

• Meeting several potential partners in a short period of time;

• Participants are fully prepared for transnational business activities; guaranteeing an optimal follow up after matching;

• Matching based on transnational business profiles focusing on export readiness, innovative capacity and geographical location;

• Matching database with fully automated matching system;

• There is no application charge for companies to be listed on the STIMUTRAN-SME Matching Database.

Participation in the matchmaking events can be regarded as the most effective way of finding new (international) business partners. STIMUTRAN-SME organizes five Matching Events in 2007.

 

If you are interested in participating in one of the STIMUTRAN-SME Matching Events, please fill in and save your company cooperation profile or please contact your regional STIMUTRAN-SME partner.

 

STIMUTRAN-SME has developed separate Matching Databases for each of the STIMUTRAN-SME Matching Events in 2007:

 

Matching Event SHOP 2007

Date:                           September, 2-4, 2007

Location:                      Dublin (Ireland

Focus sector:               Retail food products

Matching database:      click here

 

Matching Event Industrial Maintenance 2007

Date:                           June 5-7, 2007

Location:                      Rotterdam (The Netherlands)

Focus sector:               Maintenance

Matching database:      click here 

 

Matching Event BioTrinity 2007

Date:                           March 28-29, 2007 

Location:                      Oxford (United Kingdom)

Focus sector:               Medical suppliers - Healthcare - Diagnostics

Matching database:      Closed 

 

The Matching Databases of each of the other three Matching Events will be available as soon as possible.

More information about the Matching Events can be found here.