One very important source of international trade information is the International Trade Centre (ITC) who, with its partners, provides integrated trade development programmes focusing on export impact for business in developing countries. The ITC actively undertakes export and international trade research and has been instrumental in developing a range of tools that exporters can use to enhance their competitiveness. Two such tools are Product Map and Trade Map, which we discuss below.
Product Map
The Product Market Analysis Portal, or Product Map, consists of 72 web-based portals, each focusing on a particular industry and presenting extensive international trade data and market analysis tools specifically designed for organisations active in international trade. Product Map is a service on offer from the International Trade Centre (ITC). Product information cn be found under the heading “sectors” in the top menu bar.
Product Map gathers information for more effective international market research and business development on 72 industries ranging from agriculture machinery to cut flowers and wood products. Overall, 5,300 products (HS 6-digit) traded by over 180 countries are referenced in the Product Map website on.
Each Product Map presents market positioning tools that focus on the quantitative analysis of international trade for the sector covered by the Product Map in question. Networking tools that identify potential business partners and give exposure to potential new clients are also available via Product Map. Market intelligence tools that provide information and intelligence sources designed to help exporters and trade support institutions look deeper into international market trends and design better international marketing strategies.
TradeMap
TradeMap provides on-line access to the world’s largest trade database and presents indicators on export performance, international demand, alternative markets, and the role of competitors from both the product and country perspective. Find out more about Trade Map.