b'CASE STUDYBUILDING THE EXPORT CAPACITY OF SMEs IN GREECE /Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are of great importance to a countrys economic growth. Essential for maintaining an economic balance, they signicantly contribute to export expansion, increase employment and help to promote and strengthen reforms.From May 2019 to October 2020, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) asked Crown Agents to deliver training programmes on the export of goods, specically tailored for SMEs in Greece, with training sessions taking place in Thessaloniki, Crete, Patras and Athens. The objective of this training was to assist SMEs to develop concrete export strategies in order to support the private sector to access foreign markets. This series of export training was funded by the Government of Greece.THE PROJECTFrom June, due to the global travel restrictions caused by the Crown Agents delivered practical customised and contextualisedcoronavirus pandemic, all courses were delivered online via the training for a total of 142 officials across all training dates,Zoom platform. representing organisations in the manufacturing, food processing, building and light industry sectors.Our remote training programmes closely followed the in-depth and content rich schedule of the face-to- face courses, but were re-Training delivery methods were highly interactive and the coursesdesigned and optimised by a digital training expert for the best were designed with a high practical content, including grouponline learning experience. This ensured delegates could still discussions, learning exercises, scenario role-playing and caseaccess training and resources during this challenging time. studies. A central focus was on delegate action planning as a process to translate classroom learning into action in the workplace.THE IMPACT As a result of the training, all delegates had a better understanding Our expert trainers covered a number of procedures, protocols andof the export market, and gained the essential knowledge and skills processes to help delegates businesses grow in competitivenessto increase export capacity for their business. Participants were and compliance within a global marketplace. The trainingalso offered face-to-face mentoring sessions to support the growth programmes covered the principles of sound management in exportof their business following the course. operations, including assessment of new markets, managing commercial, sovereign, banking, political and country risk factorsFEEDBACK FROM DELEGATES INCLUDED:and developing a good appreciation of protocols and regulations.I got a more complete look at The training provided delegates with an understanding of theIncoterms, insurance and terms of payment evolving international trade procedures, protocols, rules and opportunities that all exporters must be aware of. This was tothat will be useful to my company. ensure that SMEs were compliant in their operations, aware of new market opportunities and able to manage the nancing imperatives resulting from increased export sales.Jon Walden [the trainer].wasDelegates were also briefed on new initiatives, such as the WTO Tradeincredible! I would gladly attend more of his Facilitation Agreement, and revised core protocols like Incoterms 2010classes. There wasnt one single question and the updated Incoterms 2020 following their launch, enhancinghe wasnt able to answer! their ability to manage export operations and make informed decisions on market assessment and payment risk management.60e: trainingbookings@crownagents.co.uklt: +44 (0)20 3940 4300'