Small and medium-sized businesses interested in breaking into international digital media are being invited on a trade trip to Finland.

UK Trade and Investment wants West Midlands companies to attend MindMarket - Finland's largest new media event

Aiming to bring together innovative international SMEs, the event will showcase game, mobile, TV and digital media businesses to an international audience.

Mark Sankey, of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for West Midlands companies to explore the growing ICT, telecomms and digital media market in Finland.

"We will help companies identify export markets and partners, provide pre-visit briefing as well as up-totheminute market news from local embassy staff.

"I would urge all West Midlands companies looking for new markets in this sector to contact us to find out more about this visit."

SMEs from the West Midlands are eligible to join the party, providing it is part of an agreed export strategy, Finland is a new market for them and they do not already have a distributor or agent there.

Approximately half the costs of return flights and four nights' accommodation will be met by UK Trade and Investment.

Meanwhile more than 80 companies from across Shropshire have signed up to exhibit at what is hoped to be the largest business networking event in the county.

Business Expo 2005, will take place at the International Centre in Telford, on October 4 and 5 and is an opportunity for small and medium sized enterprises in the area to exchange ideas and meet decision makers.

The event will also include a series of 18 free 20-minute seminars on topical business subjects which have been designed to help SMEs run their business more effectively.

Show director Chris Hartley said: "We launched the show after research showed that firms were finding it difficult to reach the people who had the final say on business decisions.

"The response has been excellent, and we are very pleased with the interest the event has already generated."

The current exhibitors' list includes a wide range of companies from accountants, lawyers, banks, and finance providers, to insurers, funding and grant providers.

Companies offering telecoms, hardware, software, internet provision, website design, print and marketing services solutions will also be represented.