The recent enlargement of the EU and close relations with Russia have boosted the chances for small and medium-sized enterprises on foreign markets. However, most small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are still reluctant to risk such a big step.  

The promotion of internationally orientated enterprise development in medium-sized cities is the focus of this work package. Selected small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in middle-sized cities will be supported in  

• taking up the economic and social chances of fast-paced business sectors,
• using the possibilities of the European common market and
• improving their capacity to be competitive in a sustainable way.

The main objective is to support innovative businesses and to initiate direct cooperation between SMEs in the fields of development, production and marketing of innovative products as well as the use of new technologies. To win universities and colleges as strategic partners is an additional objective.  

• Establish transnational chains of production
• Create science-to-business links
• Create transnational network of business support organisations
• Elaborate policy recommendations

The objectives will be achieved by activities like:  

• exchange of ideas, regional development conferences, calendar of fairs, cooperation market "Economy meets science", thematic forum and symposium
• involvement of universities and colleges
• finding 25-30 interested enterprises, market analyses, pool of possible franchise offers

11/07: Report of WP4 results - presented at the Final Conference in Schwerin  

08/07: WP 4 Cooperation Fair in Szczecin/PL on 20 Sept 2007  

05/07: One day international seminar in Taurage/LT aiming at the initiation of inter-business relationships between Kaliningrad region and Taurage  

04/07: WP 4 session in the frame of the Gdynia Conference (minutes)  

03/07: WP 4 transantional meeting - Feb 2007  

08/06: WP 4 # Rostock meeting - Aug 2006  

Employers´ Association Rostock (Unternehmerverband Rostock und Umgebung e.V.) (DE) Wilhelm Kulz Platz 4  

DE-18055 Rostock  

Contact Person: Dr. Ulrich Seidel  

Phone: +49 381 242 58 0  

Fax: +49 381 242 58 18  

E-Mail: uv.dr.seidel@unternehmerverband-rostock.de  

Website: www.unternehmerverband-rostock.de  

• comprehensive evaluation of fairs in the Baltic Sea Region (Nov 2007) (PDF 43KB)
• Questionnaire for SMEs (PDF 52KB)
• Information about franchise (PDF 42KB)
• Minutes Rostock meeting 9-11 August 2006 (PDF 567KB)
• Minutes Rostock meeting 7-8 February 2007 (PDF 61KB)

Please follow the link to visit the cooperation database http://www.unternehmerverband-rostock.de/db/frame_eng.html