These funds will cover the costs of participation in international exhibitions abroad, as well as the certification of products needed to export them to certain markets.
“Exports of high value-added products and services are one of the key drivers of the economic growth of the country. There are a number of companies in Lithuania developing such products and services, and the majority of them are concentrated in the Capital Region. However, small and medium-sized enterprises often face challenges in finding way to international markets and gaining a foothold there. Participation in international exhibitions is one of the tools to help them do this. Certification is also very important, as it is often a costly process, yet it is not possible to export products or services to certain markets without certification,” says Simona Buzilauskienė, Head of the Market Development Division of the Innovation Agency.
The total value of the projects submitted by companies amounts to EUR 11.4 million and the amount of funding requested is EUR 5.7 million. 57 per cent of the applicants were manufacturing companies, mainly active in the production of vehicles and equipment, electrical equipment and electronic and optical products. Service providers were dominated by companies operating in computer programming, consultancy, R&D, as well as in telecommunications.
“Most of this year’s EU investment calls are targeted at companies in Western and Central Lithuania, so this call was one of the few opportunities to receive funding for businesses operating in the Capital Region. The fact that a large number of companies responded to the call shows that this instrument is really relevant. The “Expo opportunities for the advanced” call will help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises developing advanced products and services to present them at international exhibitions, as well as to obtain the certificates necessary for their export, and thus contribute to increasing the competitiveness of Lithuanian businesses in international markets,” says Diana Martinavičė, Head of the Business Promotion Division of the Innovation Agency.
87 per cent of the companies that have submitted project implementation proposals are located in Vilnius City, and 12 per cent in Vilnius District. One project implementation plan was received from a company operating in Širvintos District. Half of the applicants are seeking EU funding under the Innovation Agency call for the first time. 61 per cent of enterprises aim to use the funding for participation in international exhibitions, and 39 per cent for participation in international exhibitions and product certification.
The “Expo opportunities for the advanced” call is funded by the Programme for the EU Funds’ Investments 2021–2027.
