Malta Enterprise has launched two new programmes to assist exporting firms.

These programmes are expected to yield €485,000 of assistance to industry to export locally manufactured products. They cater for industries that are new to export as well as to those that wish to expand their current export market.

The Go Global Programme focuses on companies whose export revenue is less than 20 per cent. It includes a free assessment of export readiness, an export management master class and financial assistance to conduct market research as well as support to undertake export promotion initiatives.

The Global Growth Competition is a competition through which 12 market development plans will be selected. The companies behind such plans will receive assistance to implement the plans over a three year period at a co-funding rate of 50 per cent. Subject to certain conditions, the maximum grant value can be of €80,000 over three years.

These programmes are being supported by HSBC Bank Malta through the Malta Trade for Growth Fund – an initiative that supports Maltese businesses to thrive and the local economy to prosper.

Economy Minister Chris Cardona said the government’s objective was to assist 12 companies to grow their exports over the next three years.

“We also expect to see some of the 20 companies joining the Go Global programme to start exporting for the first time. Malta Enterprise will be investing nearly half a million euro during the coming year. This will be a wise investment given the benefits associated with exporting,” he said.