Isle of Man businesses are being encouraged to apply to become CommonwealthFirst Export Champions.
The initiative is designed to help SMEs trade and invest across the Commonwealth, with export champions selected by CommonwealthFirst on their potential for innovation, level of impact and ambition.
Lawrie Hooper MHK, Department Member with responsibility for Manufacturing, commented:
‘Since the Isle of Man became a strategic partner of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council we have been working closely with other Commonwealth countries to help create new opportunities for the Island. This initiative is a good opportunity for businesses to showcase their innovative export businesses and make use of the additional support available.’
Through the initiative, successful businesses will benefit from access to one-third of the world’s population, tailored trade missions, access to high level networks, training, mentoring and assistance, profiling and branding opportunities and access to a dedicated e-commerce platform and the supply chain support of Royal Mail.
In August 2017 the Isle of Man became a strategic partner of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council. The Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council partnership supports the economic growth and prosperity of small and developing nations by sharing experiences, ideas and best practice in the fields of public finance, regulation, and compliance with international standards.
Steven Beevers, Head of Special Projects at the Department of Economic Development, added:
‘Having worked on our overseas strategies over a number of years, including Commonwealth countries such as South Africa and India, and with the advent of Brexit, I see our participation in the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council in the coming year starting to bring new opportunities for connecting our respective businesses and to raise the Isle of Man’s profile with Member State’s governments to good effect. Initiatives such as this demonstrate how Isle of Man businesses can utilise the opportunities that the partnership enables.’
The closing date for application is Monday 4 December. For more information or to apply for the initiative, visit CommonwealthFirst website.
