SME Internationalisation in Leeds City Region - exploring best practice

This European Regional Development Funded project started in 2016 and has now entered its final phase – Leeds Beckett is working with European partners to identify common factors to support SME businesses to internationalise in their regions. 

The lead partner represents the Municipality of Reggio Emilia (Italy), with other partners including the Institute for Business and Competitiveness of Valencia (Spain), Municipality of Gävle (Sweden), and ERVET – Emilia-Romagna Economic Enhancement Territory (Italy). 

Covid-19 had a significant negative impact on global economic activity and global supply chains – causing severe economic disruption among European SMEs, with significant impact on regional policies.

The primary objective of this project phase is to inform regional policy to help SMEs shift from the initial emergency response to the pandemic to a medium/long-term structural strategy based on innovation, internationalisation, and networking.

The additional phase is divided into two stages and addresses the selection and sharing of good practice amongst the project partners.
Dr Moade Shubita is the academic lead of the first stage for Leeds Beckett University, and delivered a Regional Summary Fact Sheet about Leeds City Region, which focussed on the following key findings:

• A summary of the local economic context, detailing the 5 main priorities of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
• Referencing an economic recovery plan, detailing key sectors of the economy for investment priority.
• Identification of the unique sectors of the region to leverage internationalisation & mitigate the impact the pandemic had.
• Identification of the key stakeholders regarding internationalisation and economic strategy.
• The good practices developed and implemented to bounce back from the economic setback Covid caused. 

• Boosting productivity
• Enabling inclusive growth 
• Tackling the climate emergency 
• Delivering 21st-century transport
• Securing money and powers 

Covid-19 has brought unprecedented challenges to the entire world and this region was not an exception. However, the region has been proactive in implementing an economic recovery plan built on three interactive dimensions i.e., Respond (offer support to business), Reset (understand the challenges and opportunities) & Renew. 

International trade is another sector of the economy which has been greatly impacted due to Covid and the EU exit. The export ecosystem across the West Yorkshire area consists of several key stakeholders, such as WYCA/LEP, DIT, Chambers of Commerce & Universities who all interact to provide the best support for SMEs.

The Draft West Yorkshire Trade Strategy (2022-2025)  recognises this need to work across our large region with Mayoral Combined Authorities and LEPs. This partnership approach helps to persuade SMEs to trade internationally and supports them to realise the potential opportunities in export. 
 
Dr Shubita’s factsheet highlights the strengths of this region for internationalisation which lie in the Manufacturing sector (home to Health-tech, Banking and Creative Industries), Educational Sector (Presence of highly ranked Universities & Research Capabilities) and other government bodies which play a crucial role in influencing national decision making. 
 
The factsheet not only addresses the impact Covid has had but also brings to light good practices like the Help to Grow Management Programme which is one of many business support programmes made available during the pandemic.

A previous blog was written by Dr Brian Jones regarding the earlier phase of the Compete In project and can be found here.