The Institute of Packaging and the PPMA are working together to offer UK packaging and print businesses the chance to reach new worldwide markets with government financial support.
As part of the DTI's Trade Partners' SESA (Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad) scheme, the Institute of Packaging and PPMA are backing UK groups to 10 major international exhibitions being held over the next 18 months.
The exhibitions bid for under SESA as part of the Institute's and PPMA's drive to promote excellence in UK packaging include Anuga Food Tec, held in Germany next April; ProPak Asia, held in Thailand next May; and ProPak China, held in Shanghai next June. It also includes packaging expos in South Africa, Scandinavia and Poland.
The results of bids by companies wishing to attend the expos will be known in late Autumn 2002, when further information on successful shows will be available.
Announcing the new opportunities, John Webb-Jenkins, chief executive of the Institute of Packaging, said, "These exhibitions represent an ideal opportunity, at greatly reduced cost, to reach new and rapidly developing markets all of which are eager to buy from forward-looking UK businesses. We intend to run a group pavillion at each exhibition we secure SESA funding for and intend to promote individual businesses alongside our collective excellence in providing quality packaging and print solutions."
The Institute and the PPMA, jointly with Trade Partners, are utilising funding designed to promote new opportunities for UK export trade. "This support will put new markets into the reach of companies which otherwise would find the cost prohibitive," said Webb-Jenkins, "No absolute commitment is necessary at this point but we need to hear from all those companies who would benefit from such a trip as soon as possible."
The scheme is to provide particular support to companies that have never exhibited overseas before.
For further details and expression of interest regarding IoP exhibitions contact Pam Creed, Events Manager, The Institute of Packaging, telephone: +44 1664 500055, or email: pam_creed@iop.co.uk