in FOCUS

Each year, the ICS Internationalisation Centre Styria offers a new programme titled “in FOCUS” that sheds light on certain target markets. In the course of these programmes, we specifically support Styrian businesses, which are interested in entering or expanding in these regions.

Current focus programmes

With our focus on BREXIT we support Styrian companies to cope with the changes in doing business with the UK. On December 31^st, 2020 the Brexit transition period ended, the United Kingdom left the EU single market and the customs union and became a third country. Even though the EU and the UK eventually managed to agree on a trade and cooperation agreement, there are still far-reaching changes e.g. regarding the export and import of goods and services to and from the UK. We offer workshops throughout the year to support Styrian companies to successfully master these challenges.

As a new country focus, we highlight Vietnam as an export and procurement market. In 2021, we offer seminars with regard to the new free trade agreement and access for exporters. In addition, we will address Vietnam´s potential as an alternative procurement market to China. We hope to organize a business mission to Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi in mid-October. The industry focus for the trip is planned to be machinery, automation & plant engineering.

With the project goMED we aim at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in opening up markets in the Mediterranean region. Companies are encouraged to take advantage of our series of workshops on Mediterranean countries, especially France.

Business trips

Already in 2020, the ICS focused on the United Arab Emirates and the EXPO 2020 in Dubai and the surrounding states of the Gulf region, such as Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. We hope that the EXPO in Dubai will take place this year. If you are interested in the Styrian delegation trip to Dubai/to the EXPO, please save the date: 2^nd to 6^th December, 2021!

In addition, we would like to be present internationally again together with representatives of the Styrian economy, as soon as the Covid-19 situation allows: In cooperation with e.g. the Green Tech Cluster, Human.technology Styria and ACstyria Mobility Cluster we plan to organise roadshows in Germany, Czech Republic and Poland as well as trade fair and conference visits: UN Climate Conference COP 26 in Glasgow (1^st to 12^th November) and IOTSWC 2021 in Barcelona (5^th to 7^th October, Styrian delegation trip of Styrian Economic Chamber).

In addition, ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA offers an extensive program of business missions.

The ICS supports Styrian companies in market entry and market expansion, evaluation of business opportunities and in searching for a suitable cooperation partner. The aim of these focus programmes is to make better use of the opportunities in highly promising export markets, as certain companies, especially SMEs, struggle with entering those. When it comes to the specific markets of choice, we respond to the needs of Styrian companies and clusters/networks. We take the current opportunities for Styria, special interests and strong purchasing power in the target country into account as well. We annually offer a new country focussed programme for the duration of three years.

• educational events on market potentials, developing trends and promising sectors on export markets
• informal talks and keynote presentations on political as well as economic trends
• seminars on tax and legal frameworks, transport and logistics, insurance and protection of intellectual protection assets as well as intercultural coaching
• help with the first steps on the export journey by attending fairs & building up networks
• advice & inquiry service
• organising Styrian trade delegations in specific target countries
• guidance & connection of incoming delegations