BRITISH AIRWAYS BACKS JERSEY BUSINESS WITH TICKET GIVEAWAY
Jersey News, 11 November 2009 – British Airways has today (Tuesday, November 10) launched a package of measures to help small and medium sized Jersey businesses beat the recession and regain their rightful altitude.
The airline has teamed up with Jersey Enterprise to offer 20 return long-haul flights worth up to £75,000 in total to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Jersey win new business from overseas markets.
British Airways is also calling on other big businesses in both Jersey and the UK to throw their weight behind smaller local companies by joining a consortium. Its aim will be to provide products, services or expertise that Jersey Enterprise can offer as part of a wider economic stimulus package of help, in addition to services already provided.
Karen Dufty, BA Manager of Sales and Marketing in Jersey, said: “Small and medium businesses are the backbone of the Jersey economy and they are suffering as part of the global economic downturn. We are working with Jersey Enterprise to provide flights that will support Jersey business as it tries to spearhead the island economy’s recovery. We live in a globalised economy so business opportunities don’t always live on your doorstep. This initiative gives small businesses the chance to promote and sell their products overseas.”
“We’d love to see other Jersey businesses pulling together in order to help the island through the difficult times that lie ahead. We’ve put up the flights to allow the SMEs to travel to do business and we’d be delighted if other companies would join us by offering services and skills that will bring real value and benefit.”
Minister for Economic Development Senator Alan Maclean, said: “This is a great initiative and we should be grateful to British Airways for taking the lead in providing this support. Exporting companies are more competitive and resilient. Although the global slowdown has meant increased challenges for businesses, it has also created opportunities internationally for Jersey companies that want to expand into other markets.
“Small and medium-sized enterprises can find it hard to break into new markets on their own and it is critical that we support them. Jersey Enterprise will also be making available additional stimulus-funded support to help companies in the form of extending its successful Export Development Initiative and the introduction of new Small Exporter Grants to help open up new horizons.”
The initiative is designed to support Jersey SMEs relatively new to exporting or looking to expand into new markets with Jersey Enterprise support, through attending partnership events in key overseas markets.
Andrew Sugden, EDD Deputy Chief Executive, added: “Jersey Enterprise is dedicated to helping companies connect and build their international business. We think that the British Airways initiative will be of great help to our small and medium sized enterprises in developing their overseas businesses, primarily in long-haul markets.”
SMEs interested in information on Jersey Enterprise products or services and this offer should visit www.jerseyenterprise.com/news.
Businesses wishing to join British Airways and offer help to SMEs should email Andrew Sugden at a.sugden2@gov.je. Businesses who wish to help are asked to offer services and expertise that will add real value to small companies and all applications will be assessed.
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