The 2nd CommonwealthFirst trade mission will see a delegation of outstanding UK SMEs travel to Malaysia and Singapore on 14-18 May in an effort to win new export contracts.

The Export Champions were selected to represent the best of what British business has to sell to the world, with companies drawn from diverse sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, education, technology, food and beverage and creative industries.The visit to South East Asia is the second such SME trade mission and follows the hugely successful first venture last November to Delhi, as part of the India-UK Tech Summit, attended by UK Prime Minister Theresa May and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The intensive programme commences with a first stop in Kuala Lumpur, where the Export Champions will receive a briefing at British High Commission, before going on to meet the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce, Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and take part in an on-site visit to Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). They will then meet Mr Zaky Moh, Senior Director at the SME Development Corporation, before meeting with Hon Mustapa Mohamed, Malaysia's Minister of International Trade and Industry.The delegation will then fly to Singapore to receive a market opportunities briefing at the British High Commission Singapore and be hosted at an evening reception by the British Singapore Chamber of Commerce.They will then meet Daniel Kok, General Manager, International Chamber of Commerce Academy, before meeting Hon Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry. The visit will be concluded with networking opportunitites with Singapore entrepreneurs, hosted by Raymond Huang, Kairo Asia and a meeting with CEO, Singapore Business Federation, Mr Ho Meng Kit.

Time has been set aside for the Export Champions to engage in private meetings with regional importers.

Mr. Richard Burge, who took up his post at the Commonwealth Enterprise & Investment Council in March said "CommonwealthFirst provides an excellent opportunity for innovative small and medium sized enterprises to better understand new markets and give them an early taste of the practical aspects around international trade. It is through access initiatives such as this, combined with expert support and mentorship, which helps them reach their potential in achieving sustainable growth and in creating new jobs. Our aim is to expand the programme to support SMEs throughout the Commonwealth."

UK SMEs can apply to become part of the next cohort of CommonwealthFirst Export Champions via: www.commonwealthfirst.org .

APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON 5TH JUNE.

Apply Now to Become a Commonwealth Export Champion

Applications to become an Export Champion for the CommonwealthFirst programme are ongoing. However, applications for consideration of our third cohort officially opened on 9th March 2017 and will close 5TH JUNE 2017 (applications submitted after this date will be considered for the fourth and final cohort in autumn 2017). An announcement on successful applicants for the third cohort will be made in July 2017.

As an Export Champion, you will be a part of an intensive world-class 3-YEAR PROGRAMME with INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT, which include:

Tailored trade missions: to fast growing Commonwealth markets such as Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Singapore and South Africa Access to high level networks and introductions: to ensure you are dealing with the right people in each country

Training and mentoring: support from leading UK exporters, country and technical experts

Unrivalled profiling and branding opportunities

Assistance from UK GOVERNMENT, TRADE ASSOCIATIONS, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE and a NETWORK OF SUPPLIERS

Wider web platform providing advice and support to SMEs looking to expand into Commonwealth markets

To find out more visit: www.commonwealthfirst.org