The Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation promotes the internationalisation of SMEs from the La Rioja Region
The first training session of the First Export Programme took place today in Logroño, this project offers free training and advice to SMEs that wish to embark on their first export activity.
The initiative represents another step forward in GAS NATURAL FENOSA's commitment to developing the economy, industry and businesses in the La Rioja Region.
The President of the Government of La Rioja, Pedro Sanz, and the Managing Director of the Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation, Martí Solà, celebrated the first session of the First Export Programme in La Rioja today, which was attended by the La Rioja Economic Development Agency (ADER) and more than 50 entrepreneurs and managers from small- and medium-sized enterprises from the region, and hosted in the Think TIC, Technological Centre of La Rioja.
The First Export Programme is a comprehensive, free and ongoing training plan project run by the Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation, aimed at providing free training and advice for SMEs from throughout Spain who wish to embark on export activity for the first time. Around 550 companies have signed up to the programme so far, of which about 10% are based in La Rioja.
Those attending the session, entitled “First Export: An acceptable challenge for any SME”, also received advice from the Regional Councillor for Industry, Innovation and Employment of La Rioja, Javier Erro, who described the First Export Programme initiative as an activity developed in line with the internationalisation plan of the Government of La Rioja, aimed at increasing the number of regular exporting businesses and their export figures, as well as market diversification. To that end, the Government of La Rioja provides financial aid to foster foreign trade, the ADER network internationalisation service and various other services that support the internationalisation process of businesses.
The Managing Director of the First Export Programme, Emilio Segura, presented various key points to be considered when starting export activity: such as carrying out a self-evaluation of the export capacities of a SME, determining the appropriate input method in the first receiving country and the various product, price, promotion and export distribution policies or SMEs, among others.
Following this speech, the Director of Corporate Banking of the La Caixa Business Centre in La Rioja, Iñigo Senosiain, gave a detailed presentation on how to develop international buying and selling transactions for goods and services and how to reduce risks concerning foreign trade collection and payment methods.
International Trade Manager at Iberinform (Crédito y Caución Group) Enrique Fernández Gómez, highlighted some guidelines for finding ideal partners for international operations. The Product Manager at DHL Express Servicios, Marta Belloso, informed the attendees of international carriage of goods practices, the customs procedures implied, and provided some practical advice on how to avoid incidents and to facilitate and enable shipment tracking.
Following this speech, the Managing Director of the La Rioja Economic Development Agency (ADER), Javier Ureña, talked about the support offered for businesses in La Rioja through means of specific aid and specialised services such as the ADER internationalisation network, an international service provided for Technical International Businesses located in the country selected by each business. This initiative also offers simultaneous translation services, for legal advice or offices abroad such as the ADER office in Mexico.
The Fiora Bath Collection Plant Manager, David Pascual, closed the session by talking about the internationalisation experience of his business, dedicated to bathroom furnishings, shower trays and bath accessories, which has become an international reference that exports to 32 different countries, thanks to its design innovation, personalisation and logistics. During his speech, he told the attendees about the methodology that Fiora implements when handling exports with a new country or market.
A new initiative from the Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation in La Rioja
The First Export Programme run by the Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation focuses on lending support to SMEs as they take their first steps towards exporting anywhere in the world through a comprehensive, free and ongoing training plan that includes in-person and online training sessions, as well as personalised advice and mentoring. Participants learn about international marketing, business management and pricing, among other subjects.
The programme launched by the Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation in Argentina in 2001 was implemented in Spain for the first time last year. To take part in the programme, interested companies need to provide a CIF (tax ID number) and sign up for the programme on the website: www.fundacionnaturgy.org.
The Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation, founded in 1992, focuses its activities around promoting information, training and increased public awareness on improving energy efficiency and environmental protection. It also promotes cultural activities through its Gas Museum, which are aimed at preserving and spreading knowledge about the historical and cultural heritage of the sector. Its international operations take place in Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Morocco, Italy and Moldova.
LOGROÑO (SPAIN), 23 APR 2015
Communication
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