ISSUE 4/2003

Up to 70% of a firm's export costs result from purchasing and logistics inputs. As demand for improved quality and consistency of supply rises, following closer trade ties with European markets, the role of buyers and logistics professionals in Central and Eastern European manufacturing companies has become pivotal to profitability and survival.

Ugandan women form the majority of the country's business people, in farming and small to medium-sized firms. Supportive national and local policies, and targeted international assistance, could help Ugandan women entrepreneurs increase exports and benefit the whole country.

Those who celebrated the failure of the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancún were not from the business community. Business people reacted to the news with deep concern.

Do you have a photo that illustrates "ITC: 40 Years of Trade Development"? As part of our 40th anniversary coverage in Trade Forum magazine, we will feature the best of your photos that illustrate your trade development efforts with ITC over the past 40 years. Winning photos will appear in our magazine, on our Internet site and at ITC headquarters. A small prize will be awarded to

Scotland's economic development agency, Scottish Enterprise, created a special project called 'Scotland the Brand' in 1994, to explore the benefits of integrating the marketing of Scottish trade, tourism and culture. They had noted that country of origin can be a key factor in a consumer's purchasing decision, and that countries such as New Zealand, Ireland and Spain had developed successful branding initiatives. The challenge for Scotland was to capitalize on an existing awareness, and become more cohesive in its marketing efforts.

Outsourcing business support services, coupled with e-trade possibilities, offers increased opportunities for women in developing and transition economies to export services.

What can countries do to ensure that they are ready to help small firms participate in e-business?

On 27 November 2003, ITC held an informal meeting for its stakeholders, known as the Joint Advisory Group, to highlight the activities of its Division for Product and Market Development. Under the theme "Innovation to Improve Trade Competitiveness", four sections presented their programmes and tools:

"The Association of Apparel and Textile Exporters in Bulgaria is organizing a trade show for professionals. Having read your article, can you visit Sofia and present your views and ITC information to the participants? Could we distribute your article and other relevant ITC materials to our Bulgarian member companies?"Borislav Georgiev (borislav@bia-bg.com), Director for International Economic Relations, Bulgarian Industrial Association,Bulgaria

ITC and the International Federation of Purchasing and Materials Management (IFPMM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in June 2003 to help establish and improve national institutions representing and supporting the purchasing and supply profession throughout the developing world.

ITC's 40th Anniversary Programme will be launched at the annual meeting of its Joint Advisory Group in April 2004. A number of initiatives will be implemented over the course of the year. Updates and new initiatives will be reported regularly on ITC's web site (http://www.intracen.org) and in Trade Forum magazine

Interview with Sulo Shrestha-Shah, Lotus HoldingsA successful businesswoman boosts business exports in Nepal by starting an investment company built on the principle of corporate social responsibility.

ITC launched a new services network in December 2003 at its Geneva headquarters. "ServiceExportNet" members include representatives of 12 countries which benefited from technical assistance to promote trade in services and assist women entrepreneurs in the sector. The objectives of the network are to follow up on service exporting activities taking place in each country; to develop future strategies and workplans; to evaluate success; and to provide an ongoing networking and support venue for member countries. ITC hopes to double the size of the network each year and hold an annual meeting.

Since 1964, the International Trade Centre (ITC) has been helping the business sectors of developing and transition economies to realize their full potential to develop exports. Through export growth, our ultimate goal is to assist these countries to achieve sustainable human development.

It's a charged topic: many Trade Forum readers will come to it with a firm opinion, based on their own life experiences. Some of us believe that no differences exist between men and women in international business, some champion 'empowerment' at every opportunity, while others espouse the many shades of grey between these two

Interview with Gisèle Yitamben, ASAFEIn Cameroon, ASAFE, a national organization of women entrepreneurs, is helping businesswomen to overcome economic and social vulnerability by providing business training, establishing contacts with other networks and designing export strategies for its members.