South Lanarkshire Council has agreed to continue its financial contribution to the Lanarkshire Export Partnership.

The Partnership, which is part of the West of Scotland Trade Development Programme, was set up by South and North Lanarkshire Councils and Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire in 1998.

It provides a number of free advisory services to aid Lanarkshire companies on the road to exporting success. These include providing export information, developing export skills and advice on export implementation.

Councillor Eddie McAvoy, leader of South Lanarkshire Council, said: "The Lanarkshire Export Partnership has notched up many successes over the years. We've seen a number of local businesses find new markets at home and abroad thanks to the Partnership. In fact, it has helped more than 100 companies become new exporters since 1998, a figure the Council is keen to see continue to grow. We're very pleased to continue supporting such a worthwhile organisation."

Last year, the Partnership linked in with the 12 other Scottish Export Partnerships to launch the 'Trade Scotland' web site - www.trade-scotland.org.uk . The site features information on services provided by the Partnerships including training courses, trade missions and financial assistance.

The Lanarkshire Export Partnership:

1. provides export information: the why, where, how and when of internationalisation to help your company identify and access information that is accurate, timeous and represents good value for money;
2. helps a company develop exporting skills: a full range of export training programmes are available and can include language skills, export documentation and consultancy support;
3. helps the company with export implementation: supporting companies who have developed an export strategy and are ready to enter new markets.

The Partnership's services to businesses entering the new export markets include giving advise on for example: market research and information, overseas market studies, overseas opportunity sourcing, business shop network, market research techniques, export training programmes, language training and cultural issues, export market planning and consultancy.

Lanarkshire Export Partnership also helps new exporters by introducing them to the innovative new Market Explorer programme. Focussing on the more accessible and 'export friendly' European countries, the programme allows potential exporters the opportunity of an export 'taster' in places such as the Netherlands, Scandinavia and the Republic of Ireland. For more information on Market Explorer, contact Alan Fruish on 01698 745454.

The Partnership also has links with 14 overseas offices run by Scottish Trade International. These offices, which stretch from the Europe and the USA to the continents of Africa and Asia, offer intensive support to Scottish exporters.

Lanarkshire Export Partnership contacts:

Jim Martin, South Lanarkshire Council
tel: 01698 455132
email: jim.martin@sled.org.uk

Isobel Long, North Lanarkshire Council
tel: 01236 616287
email: longi@northlan.gov.uk

Allan Fruish/Lorraine Donnelly, Lanarkshire Export Partnership
tel: 01698 745454
email:
allan.fruish@scotent.co.uk
lorraine.donnelly@scotent.co.uk

Business South Lanarkshire - Spring 2001

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