BENCH
Beneficial Business Relations between the Central Baltic Region and China
- Thematic cluster:
- SMEs
- Programme:
- Central Baltic Programme
- Priority:
- 2. Economically competitive and innovative region
- Direction of support:
- Supporting innovation and improving competitiveness
- Duration:
- May 2010 - May 2013 (3 years, 1 months)
- Total funding:
- 1 994 190 €
- ERDF funding:
- 1 538 060 €
- EUSBSR Priority area
- Promote entrepreneurship and strengthen the growth of SMEs
- Website:
- http://www.benchproject.eu
Development idea
Regional actors from the public and private sector in the Central Baltic struggle to find efficient ways to fully take advantage of their contacts with and interest from China for the benefit of SMEs in the region. Many SMEs are lacking knowledge and best practice examples on how to do business with China.
Aim of the project
The BENCH project focused on increasing trade with China as well as inward investment from China for the benefit of the trade and industry in the Central Baltic region. The partners developed joint working methods with regard to how the region can take better advantage of already established contacts and how the public sector can support the trade and industry in that process. The project demonstrated the added value of promoting the region jointly.
Main project activities
The BENCH project identified companies that are interested in doing business in China as well as clusters and investment environments. By carrying out surveys, the partners were able to pinpoint opportunities and obstacles in exporting to China. Workshops and seminars were arranged to improve the knowledge and skills of the organisations involved, and training programmes were carried out for companies interested in doing business with China.
Partners
County Administrative Board of Östergötland (CAB)
- Country:
- Sweden
- Region:
- Östergötland
- ERDF funding:
- 382 478 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 127 494 €
University of Tartu (UT)
- Country:
- Estonia
- Region:
- Lõuna – Eesti
- ERDF funding:
- 93 500 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 16 500 €
Tartu Science Park (TSP)
- Country:
- Estonia
- Region:
- Lõuna – Eesti
- ERDF funding:
- 93 500 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 16 500 €
Östsam Regional Development Council (Östsam)
- Country:
- Sweden
- Region:
- Östergötland
- ERDF funding:
- 102 316 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 34 105 €
Linköping University (LiU)
- Country:
- Sweden
- Region:
- Östergötland
- ERDF funding:
- 176 171 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 58 727 €
Lahti Regional Development Company LTd (LAKES)
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Päijät-Häme
- ERDF funding:
- 131 234 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 43 744 €
Lahti Region Educational Consortium, Lahti University of Applied Sciences (LAMK)
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Päijät-Häme
- ERDF funding:
- 164 301 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 54 767 €
Lahti Development Company Ltd (LADEC)
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Päijät-Häme
- ERDF funding:
- 63 805 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 21 269 €
Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI)
- Country:
- Estonia
- Region:
- Põhja-Eesti
- ERDF funding:
- 173 612 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 30 636 €
Cleantech Östergötland AB (CTÖ/MTC)
- Country:
- Sweden
- Region:
- Östergötland
- ERDF funding:
- 126 454 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 42 156 €
Aalto University, School of Science and Technology, Lahti Center (Aalto)
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Päijät-Häme
- ERDF funding:
- 30 690 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 10 230 €
Results
Report on enhanced potential of SMEs to do business in China
A report contains conclusions and recommendations for doing business in China.
The final report elaborates on the main challenges as identified by BENCH when it comes to business contacts with China. It includes an overview of the activities carried out by the project as well as main thematic considerations (regarding for instance the SMEs interest and capacities to expand their business to China). The report also includes recommendations about how to manage incoming business delegations and how to prepare for visits to China.
BENCH final report (ENG)
BENCH conclusions (ENG)
Handbook for SMEs about starting business in China
The handbook provides advice for SME managers about how to start business in China.
The web-based tool "Prezi" was used to produce the handbook. The tool is available via the project's website, and it can be updated continuously. A static version is also available for download. The BENCH Handbook takes the viewer through several steps of a typical entry process to the Chinese market of a small business. It focuses on a set of questions important to companies deliberating on a potential expansion to China. In several video clips questions are raised, such as: What are you planning to sell in China? Who and where are your main clients? Have you drafted your entry strategy?
BENCH Handbook (ENG)
BENCH Handbook on Prezi (ENG)
