Asia-Invest Programme was launched in 1997 as an initiative of the European Union to promote and support business co-operation between the EU Member States and Asia. The Programme provides assistance to intermediary organizations to facilitate mutually beneficial partnerships between EU and Asian companies, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as to strengthen the framework conditions to increase trade and investment flows between the two regions. The Programme will continue for another 5-year period from 2003-2007, with a budget for project funding of €35 million, in which three main areas of activity will be pursued: (i) Business to business match-making and partnership building; (ii) Asian private sector development, and (iii) Institutional capacity building, networking and dialogue.

Asia Venture

This component is intended to facilitate small-scale trade missions and flexible business encounters covering one or more sectors between European companies and SMEs from the following less prosperous Asian countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan. The trade mission could take place either in Europe or in Asian Countries eligible for this component. A list of the companies selected for the trade missions (at least 10 visiting companies) should be provided as well as their profiles. Detailed selection criteria for the companies should be provided in the proposal. VENTURE is aimed at raising awareness about these countries in Europe, promoting their market potential and encouraging and facilitating partner search and matchmaking activities for companies from Europe and Asia. Targeted Asian companies should have good prospects to internationalize their business strategies.