From March 17^th to 21^st, Viktorija Navickienė, Head of the Communication Department at the Faculty of Business of Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI), along with two Finance and Logistics students, participated in the Trade Mission project organised by the Businet Global Education Network. The aim of this project is to introduce local brands to the foreign market and explore opportunities for collaboration. This year, the project took place in Bergen, Norway, at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.

More than 160 students from 15 higher education institutions across Europe participated in the project, representing 48 brands. Kauno kolegija HEI students went to this project in collaboration with the Super Garden brand and presented freeze-dried ice cream, berries, and vegetable snacks BITES to the Norwegian market.

Preparation for the project and research conducted

Before going to the project, students conducted a thorough analysis of the competitive environment and consumers of Super Garden products, contacted trade organisations and distributor representatives, whom they invited to the fair, and prepared a pitch for product presentations to potential partners.

During the project in Bergen, students presented Lithuania to other participants through culinary heritage, attended lectures on Norwegian business culture, refined their sales pitch, and conducted a survey of potential consumers about the represented products.

Trade Fair and Norwegian consumer interest

The project culminated in the Trade Fair, where Super Garden freeze-dried ice cream and freeze-dried berry and vegetable snacks BITES were presented. As V. Navickienė, Head of the Communication Department, who accompanied the students, recounts, Norwegian consumers, especially young people, were very interested in freeze-dried ice cream: ‘Project participants did not skimp on praise for the idea and technology, saying that it was something completely new.’

Kauno kolegija HEI constantly encourages students’ participation in international projects, aiming to broaden their horizons, develop entrepreneurial and innovative skills, and promote international cooperation. This project provided students with invaluable experience in an international environment, allowed them to apply theoretical knowledge in practice, helped them establish valuable connections with business representatives, and became an excellent example of how to successfully represent Lithuanian businesses in the international arena and contribute to their development.