The Gran Canaria Chamber of Commerce has taken action. According to the announcement published this Wednesday, applications are now being accepted for the Global SME program to finance visits by companies from the island to the ITB Berlin trade fair, which takes place from March 3rd to 5th. At a time when German consumer spending is sluggish, this mission is seen as a last-ditch effort for small businesses in the south of the island to promote their products directly in the German capital.
The offer is attractive but extremely limited: only five companies will be able to benefit from this funding. The maximum amount per company is €6.448,36, covering 85% of a participation budget of around €7.500, thanks to the injection of European Regional Development Funds (ERDF). This is an interesting opportunity for businesses in San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Mogán, struggling with seasonal uncertainty, to explore new business avenues without the cost of travel and logistics creating a financial burden.
Time is of the essence. Applications can be submitted starting tomorrow at 8:00 a.m., and the deadline is next Monday, February 16, at 2:00 p.m. The Chamber, whose international department is headed by Begoña Cañete, is working quickly to finalize a delegation that will have the difficult task of convincing tour operators that southern Gran Canaria remains the best investment for German tourists, who these days are more concerned with their wallets than the weather.
