SME Aisle supports business activities between Central Baltic SMEs and Southern African stakeholders.
And project is also much more, check the short video below!
SME Aisle success stories
Joint ventures of StandByMate/Nordcrewing Group OÜ in Southern Africa
In Namibia a joint venture was set up and the company is currently moving towards recruiting German-speaking workers from Namibia, due to a demand from a major German customer.
The company Nordcrewing was established on November 2018. The idea of starting a recruitment company began with the startup company called StandByMate. StandbyMate was an online recruitment platform, moreover an online version of the current recruitment company Nordcrewing.
Read the success story here.
Environmentally friendly innovative solutions for agriculture
“The SME Aisle project has helped us in identifying suitable partners and has met our expectations”, states the Managing Director of BioSorbio Ltd. Jukka Lunden.
BioSorbio Ltd. is a Finnish company specialized in eco-friendly solutions in agriculture, soil and water remediation. The company joined the SME Aisle project in 2019.
BioSorbio’s products have raised interest for example in Zambia, where the company recently established a joint venture named BioRaiser Zambia Ltd.
Read the success story here.
Digital inclusion in Africa
– SME Aisle success story of Aion Sigma
“Thanks to the SME Aisle project, we have been able to enter the market in Southern Africa” says one of the company founders Joakim Hedenstedt.
Aion Sigma joined the SME Aisle project in 2019 and has been active in project events within the ICT field.
So far, Aion Sigma has partnered with Musanga Logistics to provide smartphones with their employees in Zambia.
Read the success story here.
Upcoming events
Due to the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the SME Aisle team has postponed the delegations. Information on coming delegations will be published on the website later on. Stay safe!
Currently on SME Aisle
News
Sustainable business in the markets of southern Africa
Read the article about sustainable business in the markets of Southern Africa in English (abstract) and in Finnish (full article).
Blog posts
Webinar gathered together business partners from Namibia and Central Baltic countries
The SME Aisle project held a webinar on business between Namibia and the Central Baltic area on 26 May 2021. The webinar brought together various actors representatives from Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Estonia and Namibia. Read the blog post (samkarit.samk.fi).
Publications
Technical and operational insights for businesses entering Namibian markets
This report describes some specific technical and operational requirements necessary to take into consideration when planning a business venture in the Southern African markets. In this report, Namibia is used as an example.
Take a look of our publication (open access): http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2020090468570
More news
The Vice President of the Republic of Namibia Dr. Nangolo Mbumba visited Finland, Estonia and Latvia in September 9–15, 2019. He was accompanied by a delegation of 30 representatives of various ministries and enterprises. SME Aisle project team members had a chance to meet the Namibian delegation. Read the article.
Read the news about the business trip in Southern Africa in April 2019 in English and in Finnish.
More blog posts
Cosy atmosphere, a sumptuous dinner and great business networking. Read more about the Namibian business delegation trip to Central Baltic on 10th of November in Stockholm. Read the blog post.
Project SME Aisle organized its second business delegation trip for SMEs in April 2019. During the two weeks of travelling, the team and the companies visited Namibia, South Africa and Zambia.
Read the blog post in English and in Finnish.
Read the blog post from the Centrum Blaticm blog.
More publications
Rapid Urbanization and Infrastructure Pressure: Comparing the Sustainability Transition Potential of Water and Energy Regimes in Namibia.
The article presents a comparative study of the urban water and energy sectors in the coastal city of Walvis Bay in Namibia. Writers include experts from SME Aisle.
Read the paper (open access) from Wolrd 2020: https://doi.org/10.3390/world1020006
Feasibility study on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) and on the resources required in the Southern African markets. Check our publication: http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2019120946316 (open access).
Want to know more about Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) markets? Check our publication (open access) about business environment in Namibia, South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, Botswana and Zambia. Themes are maritime and ports, ICT, automation, renewable energy and machinery.
Project info
Duration:
01.03.2018-31.08.2022
Total budget:
1 731 850,31 €
(ERDF: 1 358 178,06 €)
SAMK: 578 802,33 € (ERDF: 422 525,70 €)
Our objective in SME Aisle project is to support Central Baltic maritime clusters’ SMEs with an ambition and potential to enter into new markets in Southern Africa using Namibia as stable entry point.
SME Aisle focus on companies from Central Baltic area i.e. Finland (incl. Åland), Estonia, Latvia and Sweden.
Themes are shipbuilding, maritime, renewable energy, automation and ICT.
Videos and presentations
What is SME Aisle?
See the presentation about the project SME Aisle and its partners. Check the slideshow (click to open the presentation as PDF) or click the link below.
Previous
Next
Click to play videos or open presentations (pdf). More videos in SME Aisle YouTube channel.
Partners
Satakunta University of Applied Sciences
Prizztech
The Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Association of Mechanical Engineering and Metalworking Industries of Latvia
Estonian Maritime Academy of Tallinn University of Technology
SME Aisle on social media
Welcome to the online workshop of the BSR NOAH project on Wednesday 29 September 2021. Project results and stormwater management tools presented, with the focus on the Swedish Söderhamn pilot site! 👌Interested in NOAH results? Join our online workshop, with Söderhamn pilot site in focus, on Wednesday 29 September 9:00-16:00 (CET)! 🤓💦![]()
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BSR NOAH Workshop – Stormwater management, Söderhamn pilot![]()
Wednesday 29 September 9:00-16:00 (CET)![]()
Online / MS Teams (see the link below)![]()
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9.00 Introduction ![]()
9.05 Cloudburst management – Henrik Bodin-Sköld, Cloudburst strategist![]()
9.30 EWL – planning tool for climate proof cities – Ivar Annus, Tallinn University of Technology![]()
10.30 Break![]()
10.40 Reduction of flooding in smart cities – Nils Kändler, Tallinn University of Technology![]()
12.00 Lunch break![]()
13.00 Stormwater quality assessment – Sylvia Waara, Halmstad University ![]()
14.00 Break![]()
14.10 Söderhamns stormwater problem and planning – Agneta Svensson, Söderhamn municipality![]()
14.30 Chemical water samples of the Söderhamnsån river – Ingela Granlund, Söderhamn municipality![]()
15.00 Overview of the Söderhamn pilot – Nils Kändler, Tallinn University of Technology![]()
15.30 Summary and concluding discussion![]()
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Join the workshop at: teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MzI0N2QyZjctYzRjZS00MTRjLTg4NDktMzgwODAyOGYyOTg3%4...![]()
If you have any questions, please contact Agneta Svensson (agneta.svensson[a]soderhamn.se). ![]()
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Welcome!
#CBChangeMakers Central Baltic Programme project challenges are ready for a new solutions! First two challenges have been introduced last week to the students and teachers. See the challenge videos and learn more!😊 www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAJlMzEqkdVTAJ2PPjWSvuUkb9BbXi9Aw
Yesterday we had the first #CBChangeMakers Central Baltic Programme project meeting with all 134 students, teachers and partners to start the 2nd round. Great video presentations of each school were shown to all participants. A warm welcome to the #cbchangemakers sustainability journey! #CBresults
Last week Katri and Jonna from UTU #uniturku introduced the #CBChangeMakers Central Baltic Programme project to students of Eurajoki Upper Secondary School in Finland. Special guests from one of last year's winning teams also joined to share their experiences! 🏆😊![]()
New students will start their #cbchangemakers journey tomorrow on 1st of September, we wish you all a warm welcome!#CBresults
#CBChangeMakers Central Baltic Programme project hopes you all had a nice and relaxing summer!☀️ Now active preparations for the 2nd round are going on and very soon the new Dragon's Den map on the ePlatform will be filled with updated study materials and activities!📚🍂 #CBresults
.@SatakunnanAMK has had and has still ongoing leadership and partnerships in various @CentralBaltic projects. Today, from those @SMEAisle heading to Southern African markets was presented. #cbresults @CooperationDay #Interreg #ECDay2021#CBCluster https://twitter.com/CentralBaltic/status/1440955637064679426
Last day to register to @CentralBaltic #CBAnnualevent. @KeinanenToivola will present @SMEAisle work and results in the event. #cbresults. #Namibia #Zambia #SouthAfrica @CooperationDay
From our @SMEAisle team @MASOC_eng will be at #Alihankinta 2021 in Tampere Finland. #cbresults
Nina Savela is writing in #Samkarit blog about accelerating business between #Namibia and #CentralBaltic region. @smeaisle project had a webinar on #maritime and other themes. #cbresults @CentralBaltic #mysamk #merilogistiikka https://twitter.com/SatakunnanAMK/status/1404347375498543104
Past events
In this online workshop we will discuss about current business ventures between Namibia and Central Baltic area (Finland, Sweden, Estonia and Latvia) in changed circumstances.
Date & time: 26th May at 15-17 (UTC +3)
Take a look of the program: Workshop program (pdf).
Welcome!
Namibian delegation travels to Central Baltic area 9.-17.11.2019.
The program includes B2B meetings, site visits and events with the Embassies.
Open program in pdf https://sub.samk.fi/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/travelling-plan-SMEAisle20191011.pdf
Follow the delegation in SME Aisle social media!
Tervetuloa tapaamaan ja keskustelemaan namibialaisdelegaation kanssa businesstilaisuuteen SAMKin Merimäen auditorioon (Suojantie 2, Rauma) pe 15.11.2019 klo 13.00–14.45.
Tilaisuuden ohjelma:
13.00-13.05 Welcome and introduction, project leader Minna Keinänen-Toivola, SAMK
13.05-13.15 SME Aisle: Promoting trade between the Finland and Namibia, captain Heikki Koivisto, SAMK
13.15-13.30 Words from Namibian delegation members
13.30-13.45 Investment plans in Logistic Hub of Namibia – Future business opportunities and projects (Maritime, ICT, Transport – road and rail ,Energy and Water, Mining) Mr. Clive Smith Walvis Bay Corridor Group
13.45-14.00 Short introduction of Finnish companies
14.00-14.45 Speed networking and negotiations between businesses
Tilaisuuden järjestävät Satakunnan ammattikorkeakoulu ja Prizztech osana CB SME Aisle projektia.
Tilaisuus on ilmainen ja englanninkielinen.
CONNECTING SOUTHERN AFRICA WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD seminar
Time: Monday 11 November, at 9.00-12.00 followed by a networking luncheon
Venue: World Trade Center, Klarabergsviadukten 70 Stockholm
Hosts: Business Sweden and Central Baltic SME Aisle in collaboration with the Swedish-Southern African Chamber of Commerce (SSACC)
3rd SMEAisle Business delegation to Namibia 22.9 – 5.10.2019!
The program includes business meetings, speed networking event and site visits.
Open program in pdf https://sub.samk.fi/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/SMEAisle_delegation-program-autumn-2019.pdf
Follow our business trip in SME Aisle social media!
Namibia-Sweden Business Forum in connection with the Namibia-Sweden bilateral working group in Bankhalle, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Stockholm in 25.6.2019 9.00-12.00. Organized by Business Sweden in co-operation with Central Baltic SME Aisle project and others.
Registration to: https://www.business-sweden.se/en/Trade/Seminars-and-events/EventsSeminars/namibia-sweden-business-forum/
Click to open the program.
Welcome!
Where? Namibia, South Africa & Zambia.
When? 1st to 13th of April 2019.
Who? SME Aisle team and 31 Central Baltic SMEs from Finland, Sweden, Latvia and Estonia.
Take a look of the business delegation and check photos from our social media accounts!
Welcome to the SME Aisle workshop!
Time: Thursday 13th of June from 13.30-15.30 at SAMK Campus Pori, Finland (also online). The workshop is organized simultaneously with the Match Industry 2019 event.
The workshop concentrates on the delegation trip in April 2019 to Namibia, South Africa and Zambia. We present some interesting and successful business cases of SMEs from Finland, Sweden, Latvia and Estonia in Southern African markets so far. We also discuss about lessons learned and the upcoming events of the project.
Where? Namibia, South Africa & Zambia.
When? 1st to 13th of April 2019.
Who? SME Aisle team and 32 Central Baltic SMEs from Finland, Sweden, Latvia and Estonia.
Take a look from program and events our SME Aisle team organized! Detailed program for registered companies was provided separately.
What?
The webinar is targeted to the companies who are interested in business opportunities in the Southern African markets as well as to the companies who already have registered to the business delegation of April 2019 to Namibia, South Africa and Zambia. In the webinar, we share updated information on the business delegation and on opportunities for the Central Baltic SMEs in the market.
When?
On 15th of February 2019 at 10-12 (at 9-11 Swedish time)
Where? Online HILL room
Workshop on 23.1. in Stockholm, Sweden
What?
Workshop about Business opportunities in Southern African markets for Swedish SMEs
When?
Wednesday 23rd January
Where?
Business Sweden, World Trade Center, Klarabergsviadukten 70, Stockholm (metro station T-Centralen)
Workshop on 29.11. in Riga, Latvia
What? Workshop about Business opportunities in Southern African markets
When? Thursday 29th November
Where? Kipsala International Exhibition Centre, Ķīpsalas street 8, Riga, Latvia. Workshop is in room number 105 (near entrance between both halls).
Programme & registration: Check the programme (click to enlarge) and register by 26.11 to dainis.racenis@masoc.lv. Welcome!
Read more about the international trade fair from Tech Industry website.
Sambian energiasektorin liiketoimintamahdollisuudet –työpaja ti 27.11. klo 10.30-12.30 Helsingissä.
Tule kuulemaan tiistaina 27.11. klo 10.30-12.30 Sambian liiketoimintamahdollisuuksista Ulkoministeriöön (Kanavakatu 3, Helsinki).
Ilmoittautumiset ilmaiseen työpajaan ja lisätietoja: nina.savela@samk.fi ke 21.11.2018 mennessä.
Työpajassa yhteistyössä Suomen Sambian Lähetystö, NIRAS ja SME Aisle -projekti. Työpajan jälkeen on tarvittaessa mahdollisuus lyhyisiin yrityskohtaisiin tapaamisiin.
Doing business through SME Aisle: Business trip to Namibia in September-October 2018
The first SME Aisle business trip to Namibia is organized in 16.9-5.10.2018.
SME Aisle project’s areas for business are shipbuilding, maritime and logistics, renewable energy, automation and ICT through infrastructure, shipbuilding, retrofitting, training or expert services. The business trip will consist of business to business events, site visits, seminars and a fair. Check the programme (click to enlarge).
Business seminar “Doing business through SME Aisle” was held on 25 September in Windhoek, Namibia. Seminar focuses on shipbuilding, maritime & logistics, renewable energy, ICT and automation. Check the programme (click to enlarge).
Workshop on business opportunities on markets of Southern African area was organized in Pori, Finland 13th of June (you can participate also online). All companies interested in Southern African markets are welcome! Workshop is side event of MatchINDUSTRY 2018 event. Check the workshop programme (click to enlarge).
Smart Urban Business
SME Aisle is part of the international multiscientific Smart Urban Business research work in Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Finland.
Contact:
Minna Keinänen-Toivola, Ph.D.
+358 44 710 3063
minna.keinanen-toivola(at)samk.fi