Montpellier Métropole by your side with international assistance

The internationalization chain

Hind Emad, MMM Vice President in charge of Economic and Digital Development summarizes Montpellier Métropole’s goals:

“We are deploying services to help the territory shine on the international stage, building its attractiveness and supporting growth for local companies.”

Tried and tested with respect to international competition, the implemented method covers all the needs faced by both large and small companies. Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole provides complete assistance services. In fact, an end-to-end “business internationalization cycle” has been established. Its mechanism is deployed on a personalized, individual basis for both exports and imports. Project implementation is structured in four successive steps in order to help companies avoid pitfalls along their journey, namely: incorrect strategy, improper choice of target countries, time-wasting operations, and inadequate funding.
 
It is not necessary to completely eliminate all risks inherent to growth, particularly when adventuring into unknown territories, but rather to reduce those risks as much as possible.
 
That is how Montpellier Métropole assists companies internationally.

Montpellier Métropole, a facilitating resource

A company’s choice of target countries is one of the major decisions along the internationalization journey. Without the proper research, the decision can easily lead to failure. The principle is to focus on countries where growth is strong. It is therefore important to assess potential business volume.
 
Montpellier Métropole has placed countries on a map of the continents - the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Montpellier Métropole plays a facilitating role with local authorities and ecosystems in those areas.

“A very useful type of diplomacy,” confirms Célia Belline, CEO of CILCare.

A leader in research and development services in the field of hearing, the company is already present internationally, with customers in Asia, Europe, and the United States, and offices in Boston and Denmark. CILCare established a promising relationship with a major player in drug research and development in Eastern Europe, notably thanks to a mission organized on-site by Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole.

“It helps companies target the right city and geographical area,” summarizes Célia Belline. CILCare will also join an upcoming mission to Heidelberg.

Business prospecting leverages a network of partners and providers, such as “Maisons de Montpellier” (Montpellier Houses), Business France, Coface, and specialized professionals and consultancies. It also takes advantage of major international events. For example, Montpellier Métropole companies were present at the Bio International Convention held in San Diego, with the Eurobiomed competitiveness cluster.
 
Montpellier BIC’s contribution to company assistance further strengthens the internationalization chain. The Business and Innovation Centre offers advice and awareness actions, as well as orientation towards the various missions organized by Montpellier Métropole or Ad’Occ, or partners, incubators, and accelerators in the Euro Inc Net network who can carry out market research at a lower cost.

Opening the door to China for local winemakers

Promotion and valorization of the local wine industry is yet another sign of Montpellier Métropole’s deep-rooted dedication to international actions. In cooperation with cities in the greater Montpellier area, 33 winemakers have gone to China since 2013. The country is the world’s second largest consumer of wine. Among the winemakers is Régis Sudre from Domaine Saint Julia in Murviel-lès-Montpellier:

“We are a family business. It was not feasible for us to sell abroad. Montpellier Métropole provided complete assistance, including preparation, promotion, wine tasting, and meetings on-site, as well as welcoming buyers here in France, organizing administrative and logistical details for shipments, and helping make payment for orders easier and more secure. Montpellier Métropole opened the doors to China for us.”

FACTS AND FIGURES

Since 2011:

• 47 missions organized
• 171 companies assisted
• 150 delegations received
• 15 M€ in business generated in China for technology companies

Montpellier Métropole is working with the Hérault Chamber of Commerce and Industry to create an International Economic Taskforce to help with all the steps of internationalization, including taking challenges into account and answering questions asked by companies.