SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS

TPO NETWORK AWARDSExcellence in export development initiatives

25-26 October, Paris

WTPO AWARDS 2018

EXCELLENCE IN EXPORT DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

WTPO AWARDS 2018 SHORTLIST

Best use of a partnership

Austria Advantage Austria

Qatar Qatar Development Bank - TASDEER

Republic of Korea Korea Trade-Invest Promotion Agency (KOTRA)

State of Palestine Palestine Trade Centre (PALTRADE)

Best use of information technology

Ghana Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA)

Switzerland Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE)

Best initiative to ensure that trade is inclusive and sustainable

Egypt Export Development Authority (EDA)

Mauritius Economic Development Board (EDB)

Mongolia Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI)

Nigeria Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC)

Peru PromPeru

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PROFILES – SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS AUSTRIA - ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA AWARD CATEGORY: BEST US OF A PARTNERSHIP

COOPERATION WITH TOP LEVEL UNIVERSITIES

Advantage Austria (Foreign Trade Promotion Organization) offers support to Austrian companies interested in exporting. When it comes to marketing products and services, establishing networks with international partners and providing first-hand market knowledge, Advantage Austria helps companies get a foothold in the global markets. It recently initiated a unique global partnership to connect Austria’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with some of the best research institutions in technological and applied science fields in the world. The aim is to provide SMEs that have strong R&D activities with access to cutting-edge processes, and state-of-the-art knowhow to strengthen their export potential.

Partnerships for innovation

Formalized partnership agreements have been signed with leading universities, with access to the university’s database, joint technology conferences, workshops and online courses. The relationship also involves joint project planning, with the provision of funding, workshops and webinars with top researchers, and research programmes for Austrian companies abroad.

Using Artificial Intelligence “AI” tool to strengthen Austria’s export potential

A unique artificial intelligence tool (based on patent data is used to identify the technology fields currently being worked on by Austrian companies) matches them to emerging innovations in those fields worldwide. Thereafter joint events are planned such as R&D bootcamps, where researchers at Austrian companies have the opportunity to work on special programmes with university experts.

Progress to date:

• Partnership agreements signed with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University in the USA, ETH Zurich in Switzerland, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany and other top-level educational institutions in Singapore, Japan, Korea, as well as industrial design centres in Spain and Italy.

• To date, 228 companies have participated in the programme. • Around 500,000 euros per year earmarked for financial contributions to university partners. • One million euros per year earmarked for program implementation. • Social media platforms established for each technology field to build networks and share

innovations.

https://www.wko.at/service/ADVANTAGE_AUSTRIA.html

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EGYPT - EXPORT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA) AWARD CATEGORY: BEST INITIATIVE TO ENSURE THAT TRADE IS INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE

GREEN TRADE INITIATIVE

Egypt’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) frequently are excluded from developing their export potential due to their size, as well as the cost of participating in training and export promotion fairs. As a consequence, they represent only an estimated 4% of Egypt’s exporters. Based on clearly identified needs of these enterprises, the Egypt Development Authority (EDA) designed the Green Trade Initiative (GTI) to build export capacity tailored to SMEs, and support them with appropriate export promotion services. All activities were 100% subsidized. With a focus on inclusiveness and sustainability, GTI aimed to enhance the export of agricultural and horticultural products, particularly to Europe. In line with the EDC objectives, GTI was also geared to raising all Egypt’s exports from this sector by 10% annually from 2017.

Developing an action plan and securing funds

The GTI plan of action, partnering with national trade, agriculture and export organizations, consisted of the following:

• Training programme for SMEs, including workshops

• Developing export plans for 30 companies

• Provision of expert coaching and mentorship for 30 companies

• Establishing an export hub to provide market intelligence

• Participation in trade fairs and export missions to Europe

• Marketing, promotion workshops and branding campaign; creation of GTI website

• $780,000 secured from Italian Agency for Development Corporation

Outcomes

A midterm evaluation reported that export sales of SMEs participating in the programme have increased by $6 million and 120 export leads were identified in Italy and the Netherlands. In addition, GTI brought 100 SMEs into the export sector.

http://www.expoegypt.gov.eg/

Award category: Best initiative to ensure that trade is inclusive and sustainable

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GHANA – GHANA EXPORT PROMOTION AUTHORITY (GEPA)

AWARD CATEGORY: BEST USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

GEPA MARKET HUB

The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), has developed an online facility – the GEPA Market Hub - to deliver reliable, pertinent and timely trade information to the export community in Ghana, as well as external buyers wishing to purchase Ghanaian products. Accessible from the GEPA website via the Exporters Portal and Buyers Portal, the Market Hub has enhanced GEPA’s profile as the national trade support organization by enabling more efficient 24/7 access to vital trading information that was only previously available through printed publications or by visiting the GEPA premises during working hours.

Building client confidence

GEPA designed the online platform in response to a multi-faceted assessment of client needs that showed a demand for real-time intelligence about foreign markets, new markets with untapped potential, specific products, buyers and other relevant information which would assist clients to make confident strategic decisions and grow their businesses. The Market Hub seeks to play a crucial role in achieving the government’s target of $10 billion worth of non-traditional exports.

The introduction of Market Hub, with its inbuilt social media functions and tools, has already extended the reach of the GEPA information service, recording a sizeable number of daily web visitors after only a year. It has also encouraged stakeholders to bring their enterprises in-line with twentieth century technology and strengthened GEPA’s standing in the trade community:

• Measuring Market Hub hits within the first month, Google Analytics revealed a doubling of anticipated visits and page-views: 4500 unique monthly visits (target: 1200); 10 705 page views per month (target: 5 000);

• Exporters have reportedly been incentivized to develop their own websites, formalize their operations and improve their record keeping.

• Positive testimonials and feedback collected from exporters demonstrate the potential for increased satisfaction and improved relationships between GEPA and its clients.

• Efficiency gains have been documented by GEPA through the reduction of costs associated with information retrieval as well as the reduction in client visits to the GEPA premises.

• Several leading exporters and associations confirmed that the Market Hub has become the main reference point for export trade information in Ghana.

www.gepaghana.org

Award category: Best use of information technology

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MAURITIUS – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD (EDB)

AWARD CATEGORY: BEST INITIATIVE TO ENSURE THAT TRADE IS INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE

INTEGRATED CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM TO GRADUATE DOMESTIC ORIENTED JEWELLERS FOR THE EXPORT MARKET

The Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius is working with the domestic jewellery sector to improve their export potential and accelerate business growth. The designs, style and manufacturing techniques of the Mauritian jewellery products are traditional, small-scale and they have not had the advantage of exposure to international market trends. Their lack of appeal to foreign buyers has resulted in only 14 out of 350 jewellery manufacturers in Mauritius being categorized as export-oriented enterprises. The EDB has initiated a structured capacity-building program to harness the obvious skills of the industry and provide services to help adapt design and production and achieve export readiness of domestic jewellery manufacturers.

Forging an export vision

Continuous training of participating manufacturers in international trends in jewellery design, production organization and export market opportunities is a key feature. Participants had access to international jewellery fairs, technology fairs and market development sessions - in Switzerland, Germany, France and Australia. They were introduced to 3D design technology during a sensitization workshop. They met with industry experts from France, who assessed the needs of jewellers to develop export readiness, advised on best practices in production techniques and provided expertise to upgrade the quality of the jewellery products. Achievements

• More than 123 manufacturers were supported in capacity-building activities. • For the first time, 22 jewellery manufacturers got exposure to the three main target markets of

France, Germany and Australia. • Exports of participating jewellery manufacturers increased by 23% between 2015 and 2017.

Next steps To continue building interest in Mauritian jewellery and expand the market, especially in Europe and the USA, future projects will include development of:

• Costume jewellery collection; • German-style jewellery collection; • Made in Mauritius brand, to strengthen the identity of Mauritius export jewellery; • Modern manufacturing techniques to improve efficiencies and quality.

http://www.edbmauritius.org/

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MONGOLIA – MONGOLIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (MNCCI

AWARD CATEGORY: BEST INITIATIVE TO ENSURE THAT TRADE IS INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE

COOPERATION PROJECT TO GENERATE ADDITIONAL INCOME AND EMPLOYMENT IN RURAL AREAS OF MONGOLIA BY PROMOTING ADDED VALUE CREATION IN THE SEABUCKTHORN AND SHEEP WOOL VALUE CHAINS

The Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce (MNCCI) partnered with the German Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development to support populations in the Uvs and Arkhangai provinces of Mongolia. By adding value to cashmere and sea buckthorn, a local berry, they aim to boost production and expand income opportunities in rural areas, contributing towards poverty reduction.

ProValue Project - adding value to compete in global markets

Mongolia is the biggest cashmere supplier, preparing 9 000 tons per year, mostly for export. Calculations suggest that Mongolia could earn more than US$150 million every year by first processing the wool into competitive products for export.

Sea buckthorn represents 92% of Mongolia’s total fruit and berry crop. To increase exports, analysts conclude that producers need to diversify buckthorn products and improve packaging and labelling.

The MNCCI cooperation project ProValue provides technical and organizational support, and facilitates the processing from these raw materials, increasing profits in both sectors.

The MNCC supports the local wool and buckthorn industry in Arkhangai and Uvs, acting as project partners and forming cluster teams of cultivators, herders, representatives from local associations, local banks and provincial governments. The cluster teams determine industry needs (such as training, improving cultivation practices, research, and provision of infrastructure), develops strategies and collects in-kind or financial support from members to realize those strategies. ProValue Project grants fund demand-driven activities agreed by the cluster. Additional partnerships with the National Fruits and Berries Associations and National Wool Associations, as well as the Food Research Centre of the Mongolian National University of Science and Technology, strengthen knowledge and add capacity.

Achievements

• The first sea buckthorn festival was organised in Uvs to showcase the potential of the fruit. • The Uvs sea buckthorn cluster group is acknowledged as an agent of change, since the Uvs

Chamber of Commerce and Industry has increased its membership and strengthened its finances.

• Cultivators are more aware of standards and compliance checks, and adhere to international good practices. They undertake more sustainable cultivation techniques and use fewer pesticides.

• Product diversification is underway. Sea buckthorn juice with less sugar, sea buckthorn wine, and powder have been introduced.

• New export markets (Japan) are being approached. • Harvests of sea buckthorn berries and volume of juice and oil have increased. • Sheep washing and wool storage houses constructed in Arkhangai province serve 150 herder

families and enhance wool quality; similar centres are planned elsewhere. • A wool-combing factory for Arkhangai will generate 15 new jobs; herders are expected to

receive higher prices for their raw wool, and local felt producers will pay a lower price for combed wool.

• Felt producers have improved capacity and had the opportunity to exhibit in China.

https://www.mongolchamber.mn/en/

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NIGERIA – NIGERIAN EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL (NEPC)

AWARD CATEGORY: BEST INITIATIVE TO ENSURE THAT TRADE IS INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE

ZERO TO EXPORT CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMME

“It wasn’t just about the knowledge; the training gave me the confidence to drive my passion of doing export business.” Akilu Mohammed , Dan Kano Farms Nigeria Ltd.

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is responsible for the development of “non-oil” exports such as agriculture, mining and manufacturing - typically areas of opportunity for small and medium enterprises in Nigeria, including cooperatives. However, many of these domestic businesses do not have the knowledge and knowhow to expand successfully into the export market. To meet their needs the NEPC introduced Zero to Export – a capacity building programme – designed to train existing and potential exporters on the export process, provide advice on products and markets, and enhance their marketing and management skills.

Creating a sustainable ‘can do’ mindset, forging export alliances

Zero to Export is based on analysis of the export market; feedback from a conference of businesses, exporters, buyers and manufacturers; interaction with government agencies such as the National Expanded Trade and Transport Programme; and exchanges with other trade organizations and partners. Face-to-face coaching, continuous assessment and mentoring, workshops and encouraging co-operation and the formation of alliances to pool resources, were key elements of Zero to Export.

Identifying the unique needs of producers in different Nigerian regions, and working closely with partners such as USAID through the Nigeria Expanded Trade and Transport Programme, the Centre for Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI), and national customs, agricultural and food and drug standards organization, were critical to the success of the initiative.

Outcomes

• More than 500 exporters trained during 2016-17; ten value chain alliances/partnerships and co-operatives set up for export trade.

• Three banks raised capital of $1.3 million to support export cooperatives. • New sales of E22 million to Europe – generated 338 new jobs at 12 companies. • New exports valued at $30 million per year included ginger, cashew kernels, cocoa products,

hibiscus, sesame seeds, columbite for use in alloys, monalite for use in engineering, and zircon, the gemstone.

http://nepc.gov.ng/

Award category: Best initiative to ensure that trade is inclusive and sustainable

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PERU - PROMPERU

AWARD CATEGORY: BEST INITIATIVE TO ENSURE THAT TRADE IS INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE

PERU COUNTRY BRAND

As part of the country brand developed in 2011 to boost tourism and exports, Peru introduced the Sectoral Brands Program in 2014 to position key Peruvian sectors as exclusive, niche market, quality product suppliers for international buyers. The programme developed five brands to represent five industries where most Peruvians work – Alpaca of Peru (cashmere), Super Foods Peru (agricultural produce and seafood), Coffee Peru, Cacao Peru and Peru Services (corporate services).

The objective was to create marketing brands for each sector to encourage international standardization of products, enhance Peru’s international image, increase the commercialization of these products and generate more employment in various Peruvian regions.

Sustainable development and fair trade practices

Working with specialized branding experts and actors in the different sectors, they gathered market information, designed a brand which responded to trends and the distinctive attributes of each sector, created logos and developed a global promotion plan. A key imperative was to align with Peruvian public policy of sustainable development and promote companies that complied with fair trade practices. “Zero waste” criteria were applied to the production and use of alpaca fibre; adherence to Bio Trade principles and Fair Trade Certification were criteria applied to companies seeking to carry the Super Foods Peru brand.

Impact

The Sector Brands Program aims to embrace more than 50% of all Peruvian companies, motivate higher exports, and position Peru as a world-class supplier. Two of its major brands have made new inroads in:

Alpaca del Peru (AdP)

• Since 2016, licenses for the exclusive use of the AdP brand have been granted to Max Mara, Peruvian Collection, and Jazmin Chebar, among others, as a luxury fibre niche product. Five Alpaca del Peru stores opened in China.

• $2.5 million of alpaca product exports were linked to the program’s events 18 months after the programme began

Super Foods Peru

• These healthy food products are gaining recognition at international food fairs. • In 2017, brand products grew by 8.44% (from 72%), reaching $3 684 million.

https://www.promperu.gob.pe/

Award category: Best initiative to ensure that trade is inclusive and sustainable

WTPO AWARDS 2018

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QATAR – QATAR DEVELOPMENT BANK - TASDEER

AWARD CATEGORY: BEST US OF A PARTNERSHIP

BRIDGING ADVERSITY, BUILDING CAPACITY: A QATARI- FRENCH PARTNERSHIP

QDB Tasdeer, an arm of Qatar Development Bank, launched the Export Readiness Initiative in 2014. It has built a reliable partnership with Business France, which has helped to mitigate economic challenges created by the slump in oil prices as well as an unpredictable geopolitical environment in the Gulf. Business France has established a resident coach in Doha who provides a one-stop-shop for advice, assessment, motivation and training to Qatar’s export-willing, non-oil SMEs. The most recent focus has been identifying new export markets and foreign suppliers, as well as capacity building.

New clients, wider reach

The initiative has a ten-step process which involves a factory visit, evaluation of product and market readiness, tailored capacity building if required, briefing on finance and export insurance, the provision of market intelligence and an export strategy plan, networking and trade fair participation, and help with port and customs issues. The face-to-face support provided by Business France ensures daily monitoring of company requests, fast action on client referrals and rapid feedback.

Over the last five years of the programme, healthcare, engineering, IT and jewellery have been added to the list of export products and services. New export markets include China, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Turkey, and Oman. Some businesses report four times the number of export customers compared to conditions before the initiative got underway.

Outcomes

• Non-oil exports for 2017 were US$165m higher than forecast; • By end of 2017, 69 new non-oil SMEs were export-ready; • 250 Qatari SMEs supported by the initiative were actively exporting in June 2018; • New trade agreements were forged with Australia, Iceland, Norway, Singapore and

Switzerland, among others.

Next steps

In March 2018, QDB Tasdeer and Business France signed their fifth successive Technical Agreement to continue their relationship to diversify Qatar’s economy and strengthen its export market.

https://www.qdb.qa/en/Pages/Tasdeer-Development.aspx

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REPUBLIC OF KOREA - KOREA TRADE-INVEST PROMOTION AGENCY (KOTRA)

AWARD CATEGORY: BEST US OF A PARTNERSHIP

EXPORT VOUCHER PROGRAMME

The Export Voucher Programme makes export support more user-oriented. It introduces a ‘cash-like coupon’ to purchase export support services from providers selected and administered by KOTRA and the Small and Medium Business Corporation (SBC). The voucher system breaks with the traditional practices of government export support, and allows a more streamlined web-based purchase of export-related services to fit the needs of the small business. In effect, it serves as a sort of online shopping for small and medium-sized enterprises to build their export business!

SMEs see clearly the range of services available, reducing competition between export support service providers. Jointly set up by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), and the Ministry of SMEs and Start-ups (MSS) the voucher programme packages support into a broad menu – from which enterprises can ‘buy’ services it needs - from support for starter exporters to more advanced services, providing marketing support for consumer goods and service industries. The menu is divided into four stages:

• Export preparation • Business partner search • Contract support and, • Overseas expansion.

Results

Performance is measured by the increase in exports, improvement in export capacity of participating SMEs, and increase in employment.

Participating SMEs

• Exports of 2 604 enterprises participating in the scheme increased by 7.2%; • Export capacity improved for 448 enterprises • The enterprises created 878 new jobs (13.2% increase in employment for the firms

in the programme)

Export support service providers

• Revenues grew by 7.6% from 2016-2017 • Employment increased by 22.8%

www.exportvoucher.com

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STATE OF PALESTINE - PALESTINE TRADE CENTRE (PALTRADE)

AWARD CATEGORY: BEST US OF A PARTNERSHIP

PARTNERSHIPS TO OPTIMIZE MSMES COMPETITIVENESS IN LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) constitute 98% of the private sector in Palestine, provide a vital source of employment and are mostly family-owned. However, they face critical challenges that severely affect their competitiveness. They have limited access to finance, local and international markets, and face high transaction costs. They are hampered by lack of understanding of export procedures, lack of quality market intelligence and limited understanding of pricing methods and distribution channels. Heavily dependent on the Israeli market, their geopolitical situation means they are further disadvantaged by paying up to 50% more for internal transportation, paying storage charges related to security protocols, and paying additional export/crossing fees.

Fostering an enabling export environment

PalTrade is a partnership of national organizations with complementary mandates for trade support to small businesses. The Palestinian Federation of Industries, the Palestinian Shippers’ Council and the Bank of Palestine have built a sustainable model of cooperation for Palestinian producers operating in an environment of political and economic instability.

PalTrade builds capacity to produce high quality products, reduce transaction costs and mitigate obstacles, facilitate access to finance, new technology and improve export/import readiness – generating benefits for the economy. To do this PalTrade, together with the Ministry of National Economy, formulated the first National Export Strategy to align Palestine’s economic development efforts with its trade-related technical assistance – reducing fragmentation and presenting a unified way forward for donors and investors.

Moving forward

• 110 MSMEs were targeted for support. In the next three years, PalTrade hopes to target 40 more..

• Branding Palestinian Exports was launched to improve the perception of Palestinian goods. • PalTrade enhanced its website to provide essential trade information and guidance. • MSMEs participated in multiple trade fairs and exhibitions, supported by PalTrade. • PalTrade is building trust with international donors and with MSMEs, attracting investment and

participation from MSMEs willing to export.

www.paltrade.org

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SWITZERLAND – SWITZERLAND GLOBAL ENTERPRISE (S-GE)

AWARD CATEGORY: BEST USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

CLEANTECH CUBE

Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) helps Swiss companies maximize their export potential. It has established a specialized online platform, Cleantech CUBE, which promotes Swiss suppliers of clean technologies (cleantech) to foreign markets. Cleantech technologies include renewable energy, energy storage and efficiency, and other environmental technologies.

Operating in a small country with a limited market, Swiss cleantech companies may not have the resources to position their products and expertise internationally. Cleantech CUBE consolidates information about registered Swiss cleantech companies and offers the necessary networking platform to facilitate exchange, international trade and economic growth in this sector.

Creating opportunities to export Swiss solutions

Before the CUBE, no single source of information for Swiss cleantech companies existed. S-GE assessed client needs, tested and validated ideas, and finally came up with a user-oriented platform giving cleantech companies opportunities to export their business.

The CUBE makes visible a highly specific profile of cleantech companies, their capabilities, the types of business the company is engaged in, the industry sectors they represent and their geographical markets, so that interested buyers can contact the Swiss firms directly.

Cleantech CUBE has created an environment where exporters can present information about cleantech solutions, stakeholders can search for solutions and trends, and potential foreign investors can find Swiss expertise and knowhow if they are thinking about setting up their cleantech business in Switzerland.

The platform is fed by the registered Swiss firms, as well as the Swiss Company Trade register, and features links to the social media presence of those companies to gain a richer understanding of the company’s current activities.

The impact of the CUBE is being monitored by S-GE through Google Analytics and client surveys, which captures the growing interest in specific companies (by direct clicks on their company profile), as well as the overall satisfaction of the registered companies.

The support provided by the CUBE to export Swiss cleantech solutions is helping the cleantech sector become a major growth area in Switzerland – evidenced by the cleantech sector representing 4.2% of Swiss GDP, as well as an increase of 25% employment in cleantech-related jobs in the last five years.

https://www.s-ge.com/cube

Contact: Ben Mohamed Imamo SeniorProgrammeOfficer Institutional Networks and Business Generation

Postal address: ITC Palais des Nations 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland

Telephone: +41 -22 730 0247

Fax: +41 -22 730 0576

E-mail: tponetwork@intracen.org

E-mail: wtpo-awards@intracen.org

For further information and to learn more about the WTPO Awards please visit www.tponetwork.com