From the Editor
Old business in new ways, but also new business opportunities: this is what e-trade is all about.
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ITC: Practical E-Trade Solutions for the Firm
ITC's Approach Raise awareness ITC builds awareness of e-trade issues through online services, practical guides for small and medium-sized enterprises, and projects such as its Executive Forum on National Export Strategies, for which the theme this year is “Export Development in the Digital Economy”.
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Accounting is among the services that can be outsourced. |
Back Office Operations
This article is the first in a two-part series about the growing opportunities to provide back office services to international firms, public-sector agencies and non-profit organizations. Adapted from ITC’s new publication, Offshore Back Office Operations: Supplying Support Services to Global Markets, these articles are designed to raise awareness about the market opportunities for developing countries and share successful strategies and best practices.
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Electronic Finance: A Cornerstone to Trade and Compete Internationally
Understanding e-finance trends helps both firms and trade development professionals to be more internationally competitive.
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E-trade Perspectives
In this Close-Up section:
The section is based on research conducted by the Forum editor, with special emphasis on the ITC Brainstorming Session (July 2000), held in preparation for the Executive Forum on the Digital Economy (September 2000). As a follow-up, staff discussions on lessons learned, key constraints and special focus areas helped sharpen the e-trade approach in this issue. ITC staff contributing to these discussions included: Brian Barclay, John Gillies, Ian Sayers, Morten Scholer, Ian Worrell and Prema de Sousa.
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Helping Small Firms Trade Effectively with the Internet
The case of Malta shows how a national trade promotion organization can help SMEs take advantage of the Internet to boost exports. In Malta, trade promotion necessarily starts with creating visibility for the country. Due to its small size, foreign investors and potential commercial partners do not see or hear enough about Malta to appreciate its potential as a supplier of goods and services. Few people know that Malta manufactures and exports a broad spectrum of products ranging from sophisticated industrial equipment and semi-conductors to general consumer goods such as giftware and furniture, to management and financial services. Few know that Malta’s export-per-capita ratio exceeds that of some of the most developed economies.
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Internet for SMEs: A New Silk Road?
Are Australian firms ready to use the Internet as a means to join the global economy? And what lessons can be learned for developing countries from the Australian experience, especially for small firms located in rural areas?
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The World’s First Internet Coffee Auction a Success – Some “Lessons Learned”
Behind every success is hard work, substantial risks, sleepless nights and — not least — the bit of luck that can make the whole difference. This article looks at elements that made the world’s first Internet coffee auction (December 1999) a success. Lessons are described here for others to learn — but also to avoid false expectations among the coffee growers who have started to say: “Getting my coffee on the Internet would change everything — for the better.”
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In Peru, Internet Strengthens Civil Society
“Independent of income levels, more people have been able to enjoy access to what had previously been perceived as a status symbol. RCP has contributed to strengthening civil society.”
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Computers and Cakes Give Confidence and Cash to Housewives in Peru
A network of Peruvian housewives is using the Internet to bake cakes ordered by Peruvian expatriates and deliver them locally. The start-up e-business, Tortasperú, came into being with the assistance of Red Científica Peruana (RCP) and E-connexions, two Peruvian NGOs. RCP is based in Peru; E-connexions is based in the United States, but is composed of expatriate Peruvians who work entirely via the Internet. This case provides a practical example of how organizations can work together to foster e-trade for small businesses in developing countries.
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Feedback: Redefining Trade Promotion
“Thank you for the copies of the Trade Forum (issue 4/1999, featuring the 1999 Executive Forum: Redefining Trade Promotion). The magazine is full of interesting topics; the pieces are well written and presented. Please accept our congratulations for such a fine publication. We have determined that the members of our Parliamentary Committee in Trade, Industry and Tourism should have an opportunity to read this publication. Kindly send us additional copies to distribute to them.”
Kwabena Boateng, Director,
General Information Division
and Tawia Akyea, Executive Secretary,
Ghana Export Promotion Council, Accra
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Feedback: Exporting Groundnuts
“We have read, with interest, an article on the export of groundnuts (issue 2/1999). The article on aflatoxins was of a high technical standard. It has made us aware of an imperative need for national organizations dealing with product standards and quality control. Lack of infrastructure is the great rock on which least developed countries come to grief. But awareness of a problem is the first step in resolving it. There is no need to tell you of the need for us to have access to your enriching documentation. A long journey begins with the first step – being informed is the first step to begin growing.” Marie Gilberte Augustin, President, and Michel Jean-François Ferdinand,
Executive Secretary, Association Femme/Avenir, Port-au-Prince, Haiti
(Translated from French by ITC)
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Thumbs up
“I have been receiving the Forum magazine for the last three years, and it has been very informative and updated my knowledge in many ways. The magazine has been updated to show the changes that are being made with regard to environmental and quality management concerns in developing countries. No need to consult dozens of expensive books to update knowledge of importing, exporting, international transportation and the various rules and regulations involved in the day-to-day business of international trade. Saving time and money, all articles are written by experts and experienced hands in the relevant fields concerned. Recommended reading material to any organization.”
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Mr. J. Smadja, Deputy Executive Director of ITC, congratulates the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry on its national version of Trade Secrets. |
Project Spotlight:
Trade Secrets Guide
Launches in Kenya, the Philippines, Turkey and Zimbabwe National versions of Trade Secrets: The Export Answer Book were launched in Kenya, the Philippines, Turkey and Zimbabwe this spring at national launching ceremonies. Trade Secrets is a series of approximately 50 national guides, each one published jointly by ITC and a national trade-related institution. The guides provide answers to the most common exporting questions, and each guide is researched and written with the same type of research and publishing process, but the answers are customized to respond specifically to each country’s export issues and to provide the most relevant national and international contacts.
For more information, contact Sarah McCue, ITC Adviser
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From India to Italy, silk is always fashionable. |
International Silk Association
At ITC’s Joint Advisory Group Meeting (April 2000), the International Silk Association (ISA) took the floor to express its appreciation for its partnership with ITC: “Ladies and gentlemen, ISA is a worldwide organization devoted exclusively to silk. Founded 50 years ago, it serves as a forum for every country in the silk business, either production, processing or trade. The Association has members in 40 countries, and includes the major silk producers.
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Latest ITC Publications
NEW Improving SME Access to Public Procurement: The Experience of Selected Countries. 142 pages
Guide focusing on the role of government programmes in public procurement to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in becoming better exporters — identifies and explains advantages and disadvantages of public procurement programmes designed to assist SMEs; looks at criteria used for determining eligibility for SME status in various countries; examines programmes used by selected countries to assist SMEs in a procurement context; gives guidance on implementation of procurement programmes designed to assist SMEs.
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ITC’s International Trade Bulletins
ITC produces a variety of international trade bulletins which complement ITC’s books and technical papers. To subscribe, contact the relevant sections of ITC listed below.
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