Center for the Promotion of Imports
Encyclopedia
The Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (internationally known by its Dutch acronym CBI) was established in 1971. CBI is an Agency
of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and part of the development cooperation effort of the foreign relations of the Netherlands
.
CBI contributes to the economic development
of developing countries by strengthening the competitiveness
of companies from those countries on the markets of the European Union
and EFTA
. The primary clients and direct beneficiaries of CBI are (1) Exporters; companies who (wish to) export to Europe, (2) Business Support Organisations (BSOs) in developing countries and (3)Importers / Outsourcers; companies in Europe who (wish to) buy from developing countries.
CBI offers a variety of market information tools to keep exporters and Business Support Organisations (BSOs) in developing countries in step with the very latest development on the EU market. It includes information about relevant governmental and voluntary and non-tariff barriers. It has an on-line facility that links well-versed suppliers in developing countries eligible for CBI assistance to reliable importing companies in the EU. Its export
coaching activities are designed to assist entrepreneurs in developing countries in entering and succeeding on the European markets and/or consolidating or expanding their existing market share. CBI provides training for exporters and business support organisations on among others general export marketing
and management, trade
promotion, management of international trade fair
participations and developing client-oriented market information systems.
CBI is also involved in institutional support for capacity building
for selected business support organisations in export marketing and management, market information systems, institutional development and export diversification.
Government agency
A government or state agency is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an intelligence agency. There is a notable variety of agency types...
of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and part of the development cooperation effort of the foreign relations of the Netherlands
Foreign relations of the Netherlands
The foreign policy of the Netherlands is based on four basic commitments: to the Atlantic cooperation, to European integration, to international development and to international law. While historically the Netherlands was a neutral state, since the second World War the Netherlands became a member...
.
CBI contributes to the economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
of developing countries by strengthening the competitiveness
Competitiveness
Competitiveness is a comparative concept of the ability and performance of a firm, sub-sector or country to sell and supply goods and/or services in a given market...
of companies from those countries on the markets of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
and EFTA
EFTA
EFTA may refer to:* European Family Therapy Association, an NGO.* European Fair Trade Association, an association of eleven Fair Trade importers in nine European countries....
. The primary clients and direct beneficiaries of CBI are (1) Exporters; companies who (wish to) export to Europe, (2) Business Support Organisations (BSOs) in developing countries and (3)Importers / Outsourcers; companies in Europe who (wish to) buy from developing countries.
CBI offers a variety of market information tools to keep exporters and Business Support Organisations (BSOs) in developing countries in step with the very latest development on the EU market. It includes information about relevant governmental and voluntary and non-tariff barriers. It has an on-line facility that links well-versed suppliers in developing countries eligible for CBI assistance to reliable importing companies in the EU. Its export
Export
The term export is derived from the conceptual meaning as to ship the goods and services out of the port of a country. The seller of such goods and services is referred to as an "exporter" who is based in the country of export whereas the overseas based buyer is referred to as an "importer"...
coaching activities are designed to assist entrepreneurs in developing countries in entering and succeeding on the European markets and/or consolidating or expanding their existing market share. CBI provides training for exporters and business support organisations on among others general export marketing
Marketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
and management, trade
Trade
Trade is the transfer of ownership of goods and services from one person or entity to another. Trade is sometimes loosely called commerce or financial transaction or barter. A network that allows trade is called a market. The original form of trade was barter, the direct exchange of goods and...
promotion, management of international trade fair
Trade fair
A trade fair is an exhibition organized so that companies in a specific industry can showcase and demonstrate their latest products, service, study activities of rivals and examine recent market trends and opportunities...
participations and developing client-oriented market information systems.
CBI is also involved in institutional support for capacity building
Capacity building
Capacity building also referred to as capacity development is a conceptual approach to development that focuses on understanding the obstacles that inhibit people, governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations from realizing their developmental goals while enhancing...
for selected business support organisations in export marketing and management, market information systems, institutional development and export diversification.