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Cross-border
economic
development 27
Practical guide : promoting projects
Tools for individual searches
for potential partners
This category of tools may be considered the most basic service, and consists
in efficiently and rapidly providing information on a pool of cross-border partners.
The directory is the most widely
used tool, in electronic (website)
or paper form. It contains
essential information about
economic players (corporate
name, location, contacts, size,
activities, etc.). Additional
functions, such as multi-criteria
searches (business sector,
location, etc.) or glossaries are
very useful.
While a cross-border directory is
preferable, other less integrated
options must not be ruled out,
such as the synchronisation of
national directories (which are
sometimes very comprehensive
and up-to-date) or making
national directories accessible
on both sides of the border
(by promoting them to a
target audience, translating
them into the language of the
neighbouring country, etc.).
E x a m p l e s :
As part of the Innov’Mugabe
project developed by the South
Basque Country Conurbation
and Bidassoa Activa, in 2012 an
online directory was created for
businesses along that part of the
French-Spanish border.
The Upper Rhine French-
German-Swiss Conference
regularly publishes an Excel format
directory of innovation players
(fourth edition in 2012) compiled
by the Lower Rhine Economic
Development Agency (ADIRA).
Another useful tool is mapping,
which makes it possible to
visually locate economic
players.
E x a m p l e :
The Innov’Mugabe project
also created a tool for locating
companies listed in the web
directory.
The search for partners
is also facilitated through
individual support provided to
companies.
E x a m p l e :
Bihartean, a cross-border
structure that brings together
the Bayonne-Basque Country
CCI and the Gipuzkoa Chamber
of Commerce, specialises in
finding and connecting suppliers
and service providers, as well as
identifying new clients/market
segments.
More details may be found in the factsheet on
the project.
Networking tools for economic players
Point of
focus
The real usefulness of
these tools depends
on the systematic
updating of data,
which requires an
updating procedure
and the securing of
ongoing financing for
them.
In addition to individual searches for partners, it is also
necessary to create opportunities for economic players
in cross-border regions to join larger networks, through
trade fairs, fora, thematic seminars, workshops, business
visits, etc.
Cross-border inter-clustering
connects or groups clusters on
both sides of the border. The
different links established enable
clusters to open up to their
environment.
E x a m p l e s
Bihartean organises meetings
between corresponding clusters in
Aquitaine and the Basque Country.
Thematic roundtables bring clusters
from both regions together to work
in concert to design and develop
new cross-border projects.
More details may be found in the factsheet on
the project.