One of the main weaknesses of the Romanian economy is the low number of exporting SMEs and a limited number of innovative companies involved in export. SMEs contribution to the overall export of Romania is modest. Despite the good endowment with factors of production, few companies are able to enter the international markets. Sufficient business skills and managerial abilities are often lacking despite efforts made to develop business support services.
Barriers to the internationalization of SMEs include for example insufficient financial means; the lack of information on new export markets, foreign business practices and legislation; or an adequate access to distribution channels and networks. Further, many SMEs face difficulties in adapting their products to the tastes and preferences of foreign markets, as well as in identifying new business contacts and partners abroad.

The goals of this project are to increase the export capacity of Romanian SMEs, especially in wooden furniture and organic agriculture, through trainings and individualized coaching; to improve their competitiveness and to enter easier international markets for wooden furniture products and organic farming.

The beneficiaries include SMEs, entrepreneurs, members of the local and central public administration, professional associations, industry associations, chambers of commerce, representatives of financial institutions and consultancy companies, as well as media representatives. The direct beneficiaries of the project are at least 80 SMEs, which are situated in the structurally weak Muntenia South or Northeast region of Romania and which are active in organic agriculture or wood/furniture production. These SMEs are either already exporting, but with limited success, or they are aspiring and potential exporters, which the Romanian National Export Strategy outlines as important.

• Selection of an experienced Project Implementation Organisation
• Creation of two regional Export Business Centres (EBC) in less developed regions of Romania in order to provide capacity building and personalized support to SMEs to reach export readiness and access to foreign markets (individual business strategies, marketing plans support);
• Information on international standards, certification procedures and quality requirements;
• Assimilation of best practices for export promotion (international and national);
• Creation of export oriented Romanian brands, trademarks and eco-labels, including geographical indications for specific products;
• Export promotion by participating in international events/trade fairs (in selected markets);
• Besides other existing Romanian export markets such as the EU and Russia, additional Export Promotion Activities are foreseen, e.g. in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as a regional hub.

Risultati raggiunti:   The project made SMEs in organic farming and wooden furniture manufacturing fit for the export market. 82 SMEs have received training in marketing and management in two export business hubs in central and north-eastern Romania. Their products were analysed, quality assurance criteria such as organic certification introduced, and business clusters formed in order to produce the necessary quantities and meet the quality requirements of foreign countries. Through the participation of selected SMEs in two international fairs, their export skills could be broadened and networks have been established.

Fase 10 17.06.2015 - 07.09.2019   (Completed)