Business Opportunities

You may have decided that you wish to sell your product or service overseas, but are not quite sure exactly where to target. The opportunities are endless, and perhaps choosing between the vast number of countries seems a daunting task.

Another option is to let business opportunities come looking for you. You may have never dreamt of exporting to Kuwait, but there may be a company there that is looking for your exact product.

There are several ways of looking out for business opportunities, and a number of websites provide continually updated information on opportunities across the globe. Many sites also allow companies to register as an exporter, meaning your company will be visible to anyone searching for an overseas supplier. The following sites should provide a useful starting point.

• UK Trade & Investment
  UK Trade & Investment provides a free service matching UK businesses with international opportunities gathered by its network of British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates worldwide. If you wish to use the service, you will need to register your company’s details and will then be able to see up-to-date opportunities matching your profile and be alerted by email when new opportunities are published.
• Business to Business Exhibitions
  Business to Business Exhibitions is an events company which matches supply and demand by arranging ‘Meet the Buyer’ events with face-to-face meetings. This is done by reversing the idea of a traditional exhibition. Buyers take the stands and sellers go along, via appointment only, for an introductory meeting. The website provides details of upcoming events.
• Alibaba International
  Alibaba International is an online B2B marketplace for global trade. Most of the visitors to the site are global buyers and importers looking to find and trade with sellers in China and other major manufacturing countries. The site allows users to search for buyers, sellers or products.
• eSources
  eSources is a UK trade directory, providing information on wholesalers, distributors, importers, exporters, manufacturers and agents. It enables approved suppliers to register their company details on the website and receive email updates about new listings.
• Federation of International Trade Associations Buy/Sell Exchange
  The Federation of International Trade Associations Buy/ Sell Exchange is a source of international trade leads and tender opportunities from companies and government organisations around the world.
• Import-Export-Guide
  The Import-Export-Guide website provides details of trade leads for companies wishing to sell their products or import from overseas.
• The Bag Lady
  The Bag Lady is an online global directory & international trading portal for women in business. It provides users with access to trade leads and new business opportunities whether they are wishing to import, export, secure partners for a joint business venture or have a business or franchise to sell.
• World Importers Net
  This site has a Chinese Importers Databank with details of over 20,000 active Chinese importers. It also has a section for trade leads, where companies can post buy and sell leads and look for business partners.
• TradeKey
  TradeKey is a worldwide online business platform for importers and exporters. It connects users with worldwide buyers, importers, exporters, agents and distributors. Registration is required and users can request updates when new buy/ sell leads are posted.
• ExportersIndia
  ExportersIndia features details of Indian exporters, importers, manufacturers and suppliers. It has a ‘trade lead zone’ which enables users to make sale/ purchase offers. The service is free but requires registration.
• Indian Exporters
  As well as providing details of Indian exporters, this site also has a section called ‘Buy Offers’ where companies provide details of products they are wishing to buy.
• Sports Projects UK
  This online database, operated by UK Trade & Investment, profiles the expertise of UK sports-related companies and allows people anywhere in the world to search for UK suppliers to major sports events.