The Engineering Industries Association (EIA) says that funding has been approved for UK SMEs exhibiting at Metalex in Bangkok, Thailand (22-25 November) and Manufacturing Indonesia in Jakarta (6-9 December).

Companies will receive £2,500 towards their eligible costs, so a company occupying a 9m² stand with construction, furniture and GB graphic will pay £2,297 at Metalex and £812 at Manufacturing Indonesia.

The last edition of Metalex drew 90,516 visitors, while Manufacturing Indonesia attracted 31,580 visitors.

According to the EIA, UK SMEs should take the opportunity to get behind the Government’s initiative to export outside the EU, particularly in the ASEAN Economic Community, which allows free movement of goods, services and skilled labour between the member states of Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Cambodia and Brunei.