About the New Exporter Programme
This Programme is a key component of the Welsh Government’s Export Action Plan for Wales forming part of the extensive range of export development focussed support available to Wales based companies. The New Exporter Programme is specifically designed to grow the number of micro, small and medium sized business in Wales that export on a regular and sustainable basis.
Each year, the Programme is delivered to a cohort of companies who don’t currently export but who have been identified as having a product and/or service that has export potential and who are committed to embedding exports as a core aspect of their business growth strategy.
The chosen cohort of companies receive specialist support spread throughout the year on both a 1-2-1 and cohort wide basis including:
- Cohort wide support to help develop exporting knowledge, understanding and capability skills.
- A bespoke diagnostic of export readiness to identify needs and gaps.
- Access to experienced mentors to help address export skills and knowledge gaps and support in developing individual export strategies.
- ‘Pitching for Export Sales’ workshop to help upskill presentation and sales technique skills.
- Export Skills training to address knowledge and skills gaps including the opportunity to attain accredited training if desired.
- A Trade Mission visit to a near European market, such as the Netherlands, with a ‘warmed up’ business meetings programme arranged for each cohort member.
Information on the members of the 2024-25 cohort can be found in the Trade Mission brochure:
How long does the New Exporter Programme last?
The Programme is delivered on an annual basis with the support provided spread throughout a period of around 9/10 months across the financial year.
Access to the New Exporter Programme
The Programme is open to Wales based micro, small and medium sized businesses that have a product and/or service that has clear export potential and who are either completely new to exporting or are lapsed, fledgling or reactive exporters. In addition, prospective cohort members must be committed to embedding exports as a core aspect of their business and demonstrate that they have the capacity to fully engage in the Programme including the trade mission visit element.
Places on each year’s cohort are limited so they are allocated on a competitive basis should more applications than places be received. Recruitment takes place in the first couple of months of each financial year but any companies that wish to express an interest in finding out more about potentially joining the New Exporter Programme should do so by emailing the Welsh Government Trade Team via – internationaltrade@gov.wales