Help and support for exporting

Training programmes and seminars provide an opportunity to get a feel for the potential of overseas markets. There is a range of export training and support available for you to access.

Invest Northern Ireland programmes

Currently, Invest NI delivers the Going Dutch programme which can help you gain access to Holland.  This assistance provides businesses with consultancy support, in addition to helping you with tailored market research and market visits.

• Going Dutch - a structured programme to help businesses with little or no experience of trading outside the British Isles to explore new opportunities in Holland.

Invest Northern Ireland seminars

Invest Northern Ireland holds free seminars to help businesses explore export opportunities. These sessions give companies an understanding of how to do business in specific countries. Invest Northern Ireland's overseas trade advisers are available at the seminars to provide advice. View the Invest NI International Trade Calendar.

UK Export Academy

The UK Export Academy from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) gives businesses the know-how to sell to customers around the world by learning from experts in international trade.

It is open to any business in the UK who has a product or service that can be sold internationally. It is for businesses who know that they want to reach international customers and contracts in the future, as well as those who might already be selling beyond the UK and want to expand into new markets.

Export Academy modules, which are delivered online and free of charge, are open to all Northern Ireland business regardless of their size or stage of exporting journey, to ensure that as many businesses as possible can learn from experts in international trade and successfully sell around the world.

Find out more about the UK Export Academy.

Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce 

NI Chamber have a suite of tailored programmes of support to help your business grow locally and internationally.

Find out more about NI Chamber training and events.

InterTradeIreland

InterTradeIreland's Digital Sales Advanced offers up to 20 days of fully funded consultancy support. Businesses may nominate up to a maximum of three digital support modules that would help stimulate cross-border trade growth within their business.

Support and advice can be tailored to suit your company and is available in the following areas:

• Operational e-commerce
• Cyber security and data compliance
• Process improvement
• Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
• Conversation Rate Optimisation (CRO)
• Analytics and measurement
• Recruiting digital staff
• Influencer marketing
• Website development
• Cross-border digital strategy
• Paid social ads
• Google ads
• Email marketing
• Social media
• Content creation
• Other digital support

Find out more about the Digital Sales Advanced programme.

Council export support schemes

Local councils run programmes that provide export support. Current programmes include:

• Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council - International Trade and Development Programme
  Financial support for trade and development missions for businesses who want to be equipped with the relevant in-depth knowledge, know-how and confidence to successfully operate in new markets - find out more.

Business finance and support finder

The Business Finance and Support Finder is a searchable database that can help you find publicly-funded sources of assistance including training programmes. Support may be available in a number of forms, including financial assistance and free or subsidised advice services.