Support for companies already exporting

If your business is already trading internationally, you can take advantage of our expert advice and workshop programme to strengthen your strategy, upskill your employees, develop trading skills, or acquire specific market knowledge.

Workshops

HIE runs a series of free workshops* specifically designed for companies in the Highlands and Islands that are already trading overseas, and looking to develop their exporting potential. You can attend as many workshops as you wish. Select the ones relevant to your needs, and click for more information plus a list of available dates and locations.

Planning for Export Success

Is your business already exporting, and looking to develop better strategy? Or do you have plans to grow your international market with better export trade skills? If so, our intermediate level event could be just what you're looking for.

Find out more and book

Selling Online Internationally

If your business is already selling online, or you’re thinking about starting an online sales operation, why not consider the international marketplace? With the right information, set-up and skills, your business could capitalise on the wealth of opportunities available beyond the UK.

Find out more and book

 

Market Awareness

Our market awareness events focus on specific countries or economic zones, offering an insight from expert trainers and speakers about doing business there.


Find out more and book

 

Get advice from our Export Advisory Service

Our team of export advisers can help in three key areas:

  • Free advice
  • Access to funding
  • Sharing information

They will provide impartial advice to help you understand overseas business practices and make the most of the services and support available, so you have the knowledge and skills to trade successfully in international markets.

Find out more

Would you like to learn about exporting online?

ExportSavvy is a new online tool for SMEs who want to learn about exporting.

Developed out of the real-life experiences of SME exporters, Export Savvy offers flexible access to practical information and advice – the know-how which will help underpin your company’s export success. The service can help your business to get started in international trade and increase export capabilities while helping you save time and money.

How you choose to learn is up to you. Browse the specific subject areas to develop your thinking, watch short films and case studies for inspiration or read the checklists and guides to keep your business on track. Six step-by-step modules will help deepen your knowledge across a range of topics:

  • Exploring your export potential
  • Preparing your business for export
  • Selecting and managing overseas partners
  • Legal, financial and logistical considerations
  • Communication and marketing
  • eCommerce

If you can’t get along to our exporting workshops, or you would like to supplement your learning, Export Savvy offers you flexibility to learn the nuts and bolts of exporting at a time that suits you.

Get started by registering at https://www.exportsavvy.co.uk/scotland/hie

Get fast, practical help with exporting

Do you need help or advice with some of the more technical aspects of exporting? We can put you in touch with an international trade specialist who will give you free one to one support on topics such as customs, export documentation, regulation, taxation and logistics.

For quick support and advice, call 0300 013 5107 or complete our short enquiry form.

How other Highlands and Islands businesses have benefited from later-stage exporting advice

Dunnet Bay Video

Dunnet Bay Distillers make Rock Rose gin and Holy Grass vodka from their distillery in Caithness. They export to Japan, Netherlands and Belgium, among other places. Dunnet Bay has benefitted from HIE's exporting support, in particular by attending the Planning for Export Success intermediate level workshop.

Watch video

Intertek

Intertek Surveying Services is a global company with a base in Alness which provides specialist 3D data capture and measurement services for on and offshore project. Read about how they benefitted from HIE’s international trade support.

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H&I Adventures

H+I Adventures is a small company with big ambitions based just outside Inverness. Starting off with mountain bike adventure tours in Scotland, they now offer mountain biking experiences around the world, having had support from HIE with internationalisation.

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MacLean Electrical

MacLean Electrical is a Dingwall-based company with offices in Australia, Kazakhstan and the USA. The business has used several of HIE’s exporting services to help increase its overseas activity.

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Midton Acrylics

Midton Acrylics, based in Lochgilphead, Argyll, is Europe’s leading cast acrylic embedment specialist. Jenny Blackwell, senior customer accounts supervisor, participated in our intermediate-level Planning for Export Success training programme to help the company explore its exporting opportunities.

Find out more

Learn more: try our YouTube channel for more information on how to export, available support and specific market advice.

*These courses are free of charge, but because they are a form of EU State Aid, it counts towards your overall De Minimis Aid allowance.