Small markets in the North Sea Region and SME access barriers to European supply markets were key problems addressed by the project. They cause competitive disadvantages for Northern SMEs and their regions compared to suppliers and regions involved in large regions. If SMEs stuck to prosperity of traditional regional markets, major markets would be at risk. This risk was further aggravated by the ongoing global economic crisis, which challenged regional economies to join forces with partners at an interregional level in order to regain competitiveness and to master structural change.

NorthseaSupply adressed them with a Company Register and Training Measures with a SME-oriented partnership.

Aim

Small markets in the North Sea Region and SME access barriers to European supply markets were key problems addressed by the project. The project sought to address the following objectives:

• To extend knowledge for better SME performance on NE European SME supply markets
• To Enhance competitiveness of NSR SMES on NE European Supply Markets
• To Increase impact of regional reconomic innovation policy on SME involvement in NE European Supply markets
• To promote Northeast European integration

Background

Small markets in the North Sea Region and SME access barriers to European supply markets cause competitive disadvantages for Northern SMEs and their regions compared to suppliers and regions involved in large regions.

Despite the 2004 EU enlargement, such barriers are still effective, e.g. between the Baltic Sea Region and the North Sea Region and other European areas. If SMEs stick to the prosperity of traditional regional markets, major markets will be at risk. This risk is further aggravated by the ongoing global economic crisis, which challenge regional economies to join forces with partners at an interregional level in order to regain competitiveness and to master structural change.

• Tender/ product partnerships and networks within North Sea Region Supply markets: 3 pilot tenders accessible for public OEM tenders and specific requests for supplies of components or systems