A £1.1 MILLION package aimed at boosting business in Newhaven has been unveiled by Sussex Enterprise.

Part of the cash will be used to create a Virtual Export Department based at the new International Business Centre at Denton Island and could boost Newhaven's exports by £10 million over four years.

It will provide a one-stop shop for new and established exporters and importers and will actively seek out new markets for local firms and organise trade missions to helpthem develop new contacts abroad.

It will also give local firms easy access to a huge range of business services through an on-line link to Sussex Enterprise's headquarters in Burgess Hill.

Experts from Business Link and Brighton Hove and Lewes Enterprise Agency advisors will be on hand to give practical and face-to-face help and advice.

As well as this, Sussex Enterprise has developed a service aimed at firms with growth potential. They will be offered a Business Strategy Plan specifically tailored to their needs for just £99.

This will pinpoint areas where they could benefit from assistance and show them exactly where to get help. It will also give them £500 of vouchers towards the cost.

A£400,000 government grant will be matched with £400,000 worth of cash and expertise from Sussex Enterprise and a further £300,000 is to come from the private sector.

Greg Ward, head of economic development at Sussex Enterprise, said both schemes would bring major benefits to Newhaven which has recently been hit by the loss of a year-round ferry service.

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