The Chamber of Commerce of the Bay of Algeciras has opened the call for grants for a direct trade mission to Tokyo that will take around twenty SMEs from the province of Cádiz to the Japanese capital between October 27 and 29, 2026. The operation is mainly intended for companies in the logistics, maritime, and port sectors, and is part of the Pyme Global program, co-financed by 85% by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The Chamber of Commerce of Spain and the Provincial Council of Cádiz also collaborate, through their Planning, Coordination, and Strategic Development area.
The deadline for submitting applications starts on July 27, 2026, at 9:00 AM and ends on September 10 at 2:00 PM, although it may close earlier if the available spots are filled. The call encompasses twenty spots and a waitlist of three companies in case any of the selected ones withdraw. The order of arrival is the only criterion: the first twenty SMEs that meet the requirements will be admitted, without a grading system or profile evaluation.
The total budget of the mission amounts to 64,568 euros. Most of it, just over 60,000, is allocated to cover the travel expenses of the participating companies. The remaining 4,434 euros fund the support services provided by the Chamber — contact agenda, logistics at the destination, follow-up — and are entirely borne by the corporation, at no cost to SMEs.
Each beneficiary company will receive up to 2,555.70 euros in aid, covering 85% of the subsidizable expenses. The remaining 15% is assumed by the company itself, which must also advance the payment for the trip and justify it later with invoices. The aid is calculated on fixed unit costs: 1,595 euros for transportation to Japan and 405 euros per day of activity at the destination for accommodation and meals, with three days planned. If a company wants to send a second representative, it may request it when submitting the application, and the aid would rise to 5,111 euros per firm, as long as budget remains available.
The requirements to apply for the call are the usual ones for European grants of this kind. They must be small or medium-sized enterprises with a registered office or productive center in any municipality of the province of Cádiz, be up to date with the Tax Agency and Social Security, have a minimum turnover of 100,000 euros last year, and have an average workforce of at least two employees on payroll in 2025. Civil societies, communities of goods, temporary unions of companies, associations, foundations, and non-profit entities are excluded. Self-employed corporate workers and collaborators may also not participate.
The call particularly focuses on the logistics-maritime-port sector, an area in which the Campo de Gibraltar has a consolidated business fabric around the Bay of Algeciras, one of the major nodes of maritime trade in southern Europe. Tokyo, for its part, is the natural gateway to Japan, a mature market with stable demand for port services, logistics technology, industrial components, and specialized transport. The mission will combine a schedule of meetings arranged with Japanese companies and market prospecting activities during the three days of stay.