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US export assistance boosts jobs
The US non-profit organisation Kearny Alliance's Developing Country Export Assistance Programme has helped to create more jobs by boosting sales for Vietnamese exporters.
Launched in the Philippines in early 2008, the programme began in Viet Nam in mid-2008.
The complete aid package offered to Viet Nam‘s exporters includes powerful marketing channels that give them exposure to global buyers such as Global Sources' business-to-business (B2B) marketing websites, emerging market reports, and inquiry management training, and effective training emails.
Kearny's partner, the leading B2B media company Global Sources, provides these services as part of the company's corporate social responsibility activities.
"Our programme is looking for small – and medium-sized, dedicated entrepreneurs who aspire to work with global quality buyers and tap new export markets," said Alexander Boome, Programme Director of Kearny Alliance Asia.
"By receiving more sales orders, suppliers are expected to hire additional workers, thus join hands with us to provide decent and lasting employment for the local community."
"Viet Nam is among the dynamic market economies on which the programme is extensively focused," said Khiem Vu, manager of the export assistance programme in Asia. "The number of beneficiaries from the country is roughly 350 suppliers."
"The challenges we have been facing are many. Some of our needy supplier beneficiaries of handcrafted products such as lacquerware, bamboo and wood furniture and ceramics are usually family-run enterprises and from craft villages. They have little knowledge about export marketing initiatives and their roles in successful global trade," he said.
For such suppliers, we need to spend more time educating them to change their mind and attitude toward marketing efforts.
"We're satisfied that after being trained by our team, these suppliers have become more open to marketing activities. Their real export orders received through our free programme are rewarding results for their hard work and programme effectiveness."
One featured maker of lacquered lamps, Le Thanh Dung, Director of Bao Dang Company, said: "The export marketing services offered by the Kearny Alliance is an amazing opportunity for Viet Nam's exporters like us since it makes us more visible internationally and competitive."
Based on China Sourcing Report models, the Developing Country Sourcing Reports are product-specific reports which feature in-depth profiles of Viet Nam quality suppliers and other Asian suppliers like India, Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines, as well as details on top-selling export products, design trends, price forecasts and more.
The Kearny team visits each supplier. Some published Viet Nam Sourcing Reports include Indoor&Outdoor Furniture, Garments, Footwear, and Ceramic&Porcelain.
These are displayed at Kearny Alliance's booth at Hong Kong Global Sources China Sourcing Fair, which is held biennially in Hong Kong.
One supplier, Thai Thanh Son, Sales Manager of Thai Son SP Company Ltd, said: "While the global economy is showing signs of recovery, we need more exposure to overseas buyers. Buyers we've reached via Global Sources Online and the sourcing report are interested in our designs and positive about our pricing. This is a great opportunity to get new customers, and we will work hard to make them our long-term partners."
B2B website
Each featured supplier in the sourcing reports is also offered a free four-month use of a B2B website on Global Sources Online where they can market new products to a community of 888,000 active buyers worldwide.
In addition, a series of emails is sent bi-weekly to the exporters to help them respond to buyer's requests for information in a professional manner.
One interviewed supplier of stationery, Pham Long, Director of Thinh Dat Co., Ltd said: "We are delighted to have received many buyer inquiries since we started uploading our products onto Global Sources Online.
"We will make an effort to get orders to achieve our target, which is a 20 per cent increase in export sales in the next 12 months."
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