Let’s hope something positive comes out of the WTO talks in Hong Kong next month.

The developed world should be doing all they can to help the developing countries break out of their cycle of poverty. 

And they shouldn’t use it as an opportunity to make more money out of the poor - by trying to link removal of farming subsidies with the removal of industrial tariffs by the poorer nations.  Without these tariffs manufacturing and industry will never really get off the ground in the developing countries.

Wouldn’t it be great to see more trade leads from the smaller African, Asian and South American countries?

We want them not just importing manufactured Western goods, but also exporting the produce of their own industry. 
We want them not just exporting raw materials but also importing the building blocks of the products they’ll sell for high profit.
           

What is the best way of writing your trade leads so that you gain the respect of Buyers and other Sellers?

None of this should come as a surprise:

• Use an informative subject
• Give useful information about the type, quality and range of your products
• Give truthful information about your products - no hype or exaggeration
• Remember your audience come from all around the world, keep your language clear, simple and respectful
• Don’t post a trade lead multiple times in a short space of time - people might see you as a spammer

Everyone is talking about China, the potential there is just huge.

Take a look at their exports:
China exported $132.5 billion to the United States alone (and imported $39.8 billion - what a surplus!).

They export a wide range of goods - electrical machinery, apparel, toys and games, footwear,
furniture, minerals, fuel.  And you can see this reflected on our portal, lots of members based in China offering a variety of goods.

What kind of goods should you be selling to our Chinese members? -
Iron and steel, mineral fuel and ore, power generation equipment, optical and medical equipment, man-made filaments, vehicles and vehicle parts.

Whilst we’re on the topic of China, here’s an interesting report that might make you re-think
your strategy towards that country:
The Role of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Exports to China: A Statistical Profile

It was interesting to read that the majority of exporters to China are like most of you: SMEs (Small to Medium Sized Enterprises).
           

For the past couple of months you should have been trying to catch the attention of the Christmas Buyers.

Xmas is a time when people are happy to spend, spend, spend on gifts and presents for friends and family.  There will be many importers browsing trade portals for ideas to entice their home market.

And it’s not just Xmas, it could be Ramadan, Diwali, the Olympics, and a host of other religious/non-religious events.

So how can you ensure your trade lead attracts the seasonal buyer?

• Use an appropriate eye-catching subject
• Post images of the products
• Explain how the product is relevant to the event
• Mention if the product has proved popular at other similar events
• Be sure to address safety and quality
• Give as much information regarding shipping, pricing etc.

We’ve added a new type of lead - Partner Leads.

This category is for those of you who:

• Want to establish contacts in a particular country
• Want to form partnerships with people who can help sell your goods
• Don’t have a particular need right now, but want to start building relationships for the future
• Whose requirements don’t really fit into the Buy or Sell categories

Please let us know if you have problems using this or any other part of the site.