Businesses enter the field of exporting for many and varied
reasons, not the least of which might be to extend the market
for a product that has proved popular on a domestic level.
If the product or service is applicable to a wider market
and it has been tested in the UK, chances are exporting
it will prove similarly profitable. Not so good a marketing
strategy however, is the decision to export something because
it has not proved popular in the domestic marketplace.
Some businesses begin with export marketing included in
their corporate plan; others slip gradually into exporting,
perhaps having been approached by an overseas buyer with
whom a profitable business relationship emerges, and it
subsequently becomes clear that other exporting avenues
might also prove profitable.
Exports can obviously increase markets for one's goods
many times over, but for the newcomer exporting can also
present numerous complications and learning difficulties.
Though the temptation might exist, the newcomer is usually
advised to gradually enter the export field, perhaps starting
with one overseas market and gradually increasing the range
of destinations in which one's products and services are
offered.
The newcomer's first port of call for information on exporting
in both general and specific terms should be regional offices
of the Department of Trade and Industry, details of which
are provided at the end of this text.The all-important initial
market research to assess the suitability of your product
or service to overseas markets, is one that might well be
aided by a visit to a trade show in the country of intended
export.
There the exporter can speak to foreign and international
business men and women and obtain copies of relevant trade
publications.The exporter might well find the product requires
some modification to suit overseas markets, and that an
import licence is required before certain products will
be allowed into some countries. All can be discussed with
export information and advisory bodies on the entrepreneur's
return to Britain. Amongst the more useful sources of information
and advice for newcomers and established exporters are Chambers
of Commerce, most of the largest of which are able to provide
group selling facilities, fact finding services, organised
trips abroad, shared telex arrangements, documentation advice,
and so on.
It is advisable to join one of the larger Chambers of Commerce,
such as those in London and Birmingham, as opposed to Chambers
of Trade which though generally available in all main towns,
are usually composed of retailers with no experience or
interest in exporting. Many Chambers of Commerce hold regular
meetings at which members can benefit from the experience
and advice of fellow members and longer-established exporters.
Additionally, many Chambers hold regular seminars on matters
related to exporting, some aimed at relative beginners and
therefore offering a more than useful insight into the ins
and outs of this particular marketing method.
All of the major banks offer free literature and guidance
to intending and established exporters, and many have specialist
advisers available to answer whatever questions you might
have in your beginning days as an exporter, as well as problems
you might encounter as you begin venturing into new and
untested markets.
Who Exports?
Though the benefits of exporting can apply to companies
large and small, it is generally accepted that no small
company should consider exporting until the company is well
established in the domestic sector, or at least until one
of the proprietors has sufficient knowledge and experience
of exporting to make a concerted effort in overseas markets.
What to Export?
Selling abroad bears very little difference to selling
in the UK; a need must be identified and a service or product
introduced to fill that need. Few restrictions are placed
on what can and can not be exported from Britain, other
of course than defence supplies to certain countries, and
restrictions on livestock and agricultural products. Where
uncertain as to whether or not restrictions might be placed
on particular products or services, the entrepreneur will
obtain excellent advice from:
The Export Licensing Branch,
Department of Trade,
Millbank Tower,
Millbank,
London,
SW1P 4QU
Tel: 071 215 8070
What restrictions and limitations the exporter is likely
to encountering are more likely to be placed by that country
into which one seeks entry for whatever products and services
are concerned. Developing countries might place restrictions
designedto protect their own growing industries. Import
controls might reveal themselves in quotas, customs tariffs
or complicated technical and documentation requirements.
Information and advice on technical requirements might be
available from:
The British Standards Institution,
Technical Help to Exporters,
Linford Wood,
Milton Keynes,
MK14 6LE
Tel: 0908 220022
Where to Export?
Most newcomers to exporting opt for the relative ease of
supplying to English-speaking countries of the old Commonwealth
and North America. In many cases British traditions and
customs are still very much in evidence and the fact that
many British banks and financial institutions have branches
in these locations can greatly ease the assimilation process.The
European Community might however present the greatest opportunity
for new and smaller export firms, and will doubtless prove
a more realistic and attractive option with the removal
in 1992 of all customs barriers. Third World and developing
countries present particular problems. Payment facilities
and procedures are rarely uncomplicated and locating suitable
distribution channels can prove difficult, time-consuming
and costly.
The most likely first venues for marketing abroad might
well be those arising from unsolicited enquiries from potential
foreign customers, and information obtained from trade publications,
newspapers and specialist export publications.
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Gambia Holiday News can offer you advice on shipping
to the Gambia. Within the Africa region, the Banjul
Port is unrivalled, turning around vessels much faster than the regional
competition and continuously being upgraded and modernised to meet the
needs of a growing trade sector anticipated in the Gambia
Trade Gateway Project (TGP). The
River Gambia is the main artery that runs through the entire length
of the country, and is navigable throughout the year by smaller vessels
up to 300 kilometres. Ferry operations are under the management of the
Gambia Ports Authority (GPA),
a public enterprise in the transport industry.
Do you have any questions about our shipping and business services
to and from The Gambia?
Then please contact us directly
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