CB region companies in Finland incl. Åland, Estonia, Latvia, Sweden have strong competences in maritime clusters (shipbuilding, maritime& logistics, renewable energy, automation, ICT). However, many CB companies are too small and their expertise is very limited/scattered toenable export activities on the fast growing Southern African market (62% of global population in Africa by 2050). There are vast export possibilities for an adaptable, scalable product and services concept for CB region companies as clusters to these markets. The customers expect concept solutions for products and services.

The main objective is to increase CB’s SME’s sales by developing a  joint concept that uses Namibia as a safe entry point to coastal Southern African (SA) countries (e.g. South Africa, Angola, Mozambique). All SME Aisle partners are already operating actively within safe, smart and environmentally friendly maritime clusters to promote export from Finland, Latvia, Estonia and Sweden. The lead partner has deep expertise and consistent connections in Namibia’s business environment since 2012. The project activities are detailed market analysis a feasibility study, development and adaptation of concepts for products and services with a capacity building of 20 selected pilot companies from CB. The customers in SA are public operators, PPPs and private companies.

The number of cluster planned to be created in the framework of the project is five: 1) metacluster between the countries and clusters with compatible products and services: “CB maritime cluster”; 2) infrastructure (machinery, renewable energy, automation, ICT solutions) in ports and hinterlands; 3) ship building, retrofitting; 4) certified training (maritime, crewing, renewable energy, automation, ICT); 5) expert services on safety, surveillance, environment and custom clearance procedures etc.. Min. 15 companies have achieved sales in Southern African countries by the end of the project. ​