The Changing Marketplace
By Natalie Domeisen and Prema de Sousa, ITC
© International Trade Centre, International Trade Forum - Issue 3/2003
Small exporters in developing countries can sharpen their competitive edge using information and communications technologies (ICT).
Putting “E” to Work
Traditional Exports in New Ways
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New technologies give exporters opportunities to trade goods and services more efficiently, and reach new markets.
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Market research
- Online market analysis
- Finding buyers and suppliers
Business processes
- Using ICTs to streamline supply chains
- Digitizing production processes
- E-marketing through a variety of channels
- Online transportation management
- Online export documentation
Payment/transactions
- Online sales and payment
- Credit checks on buyers
Customer relations
- Online after-sales services
- Customer management databases
New markets
- Participate and be visible in B2B and B2C e-marketplaces
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Opportunities in New Export Sectors
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Technologies open up completely new product and service niches for developing countries. |
Services - Back office operations (business process outsourcing)
- Medical transcription
- Geographic information services
- Content creation
- Web design
- Hotline support for personal computers
- Telecom services
- Computer systems design
- Data processing
- Online information services
- Data enrichment
Hardware - Components
- Contract manufacturing
- Assembly
Software - E-business applications
- Multimedia product development
- Local adaptations of software applications
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Creating the E-trade Environment
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Being e-ready — in terms of culture, skills and environment — greatly enhances countries’ success with applying ICTs to trade.
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E-culture and e-skills
Supportive legal and regulatory framework
Basic infrastructure
Access to finance - Affordable e-access (connectivity, computers)
- Roads and transport systems
- Electricity supply
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To take advantage of ICT for trade, export development strategy-makers need to formulate specific e-trade strategies.
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Build awareness
Adopt e-business vision - Define e-business strategy objectives (clear,
quantifiable, executable, business-focused, flexible and adaptable to new technology challenges) - Advocate at national, regional, multilateral levels
Enhance knowledge
Local relevance - Technology applications for business
- Promote e-business networking at regional and global levels (e.g. tap into diasporas)
Create competence
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John Gillies and Nikolai Semine contributed to this article.
