Dear Subscriber

 

Welcome to the October edition of Wade Trade News - Wade World Trade's own monthly bulletin bringing you news on developments and opportunities in international trade that are worthy of your attention. Read on now for news of opportunities and contacts in China (yet again!), Sweden, Bulgaria and the UAE, information on trading flowers and plants …. and how to get started in import-export the easy way, using auctions!

 

China exports many products, but is not often thought of as a source of furniture. However, China exported 1.3 billion items of furniture in 2003, making it one of the world's largest furniture exporters, an official with China's State Forestry Administration revealed recently. Lei Jiafu, Deputy Director of the administration, also said since China began opening up, its timber industry has been growing very fast, exporting 586 billion Yuan (US$70.6 billion) of goods last year. According to Lei, the furniture industry has become an important source of business for Chinese farmers, earning more than 40% of their income in some regions. A recent trade fair attracted nearly 1,000 businesses and relevant experts from 23 countries around the world.

 

We found an extensive list of 1,618 Chinese furniture manufacturers in the China Business Directory. To view it, go to www.chinainfo.org and search for 'Furniture'.

 

Sweden's Finance Ministry has recently raised its economic growth forecasts for this year and next, stating a favourable trend in exports and a higher number of working days as the reasons. Gross domestic product (GDP) is forecast to grow 3.5% in 2004 and 3.0% in 2005, according to the Ministry's 2005 Budget Bill. (In its spring budget in April, it estimated GDP growth at just 2.5% this year and 2.6% in 2005.) The Government said its 2005 Budget Bill 'aims above all to produce more jobs so as to deal with unemployment, stimulate demand, generate tax revenues for local government and, in so doing, increase welfare.'.

 

The Swedish Trade Council can help you import from Sweden - visit www.swedishtrade.com. The Swedish Federation of Trade can help with imports and exports - visit www.swefedtrade.com.

 

Exports from the United Kingdom (UK) to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reached £2 billion last year, an increase of 51%. Of this, £1.4 billion worth of exports went to Dubai alone. Claire Evans, Head of Trade and Investment at the British Embassy recently said that the figures for the first six months of this year were up 30% compared to 2003 and that 'This year we expect between a 40% and a 50% increase.'. She said some 500,000 British people visited the UAE last year and many of them came to do business, adding that Dubai alone is home to 5,000 British nationals.

 

UK companies wishing to do business with the UAE should take a look at the British Embassies UAE website at www.britain-uae.org. The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has a site providing useful information (for all countries) at www.dwtc.com.

eBay, the world famous auction site has long been a source for bargain priced used goods. But recently, more import-export entrepreneurs have started using it as an easy way to buy and sell small quantities of stock. All you have to do is register at www.eBay.com, listing the products you have for sale, then wait for bids to come in from around the world. There's even a special section titled 'Wholesale Lots', which is ideal for trading stock. With 52 million users (and rising), 5,000,000 items for sale at any one time and 1,000,000 sales a week it's a useful extra market place for the small import-export business.

 

As well as eBay, there are several other auction sites you can use. Here are some we know of : Amazon at www.amazon.com (not just books!). Auction Air at www.auction-air.com. Auction Fire at www.auctionfire.com. Bid Outlet at www.bidoutlet.co.uk. BigDealBids at www.bigdealbids.com. eBid at www.ebid.co.uk. OnSale at www.onsale.com. QXL at www.qxl.com. uBid at www.ubid.com and Yahoo! auctions at www.auctions.yahoo.com.

 

If you're looking for a new product to import-export then think about flowers and plants.

 

Flowers and plants are grown on a global scale. The biggest growing nations are the Netherlands, Colombia, Kenya, Israel, India, South Africa, Ecuador and Malaysia. But many countries, such as the UK, USA and EU countries import most of their flowers and plants presenting a clear trading opportunity. It can be a very lucrative market : Official figures show that the retail flower and plant industry in the UK alone is worth around £1.5 billion. In the EU, each person spends €80-€140 on average on flowers and plants every year!

 

If you'd like to know more about the flowers and plants industry with useful facts and figures, details of the 'top ten' traded products and useful contacts then take a look at the UK-based Flowers & Plants Association website at www.flowers.org.uk.

 

Trading with Bulgaria will be made easier following the news that the Bulgarian Government is to increase the funds allocated for export-credit insurance to 100 million levs (€51 million/US$63 million) in 2005, from the current 10 million levs, as part of efforts to stimulate exports. You can find out more, plus find lots of useful information on trade with Bulgaria at the Ministry of Economy website - www.mi.govnment.bg/eng (English version). The Bulgaria Trade Promotion agency can be found at www.btpa.bg.

 

Bulgaria has projected exports at €7.5 billion/US$9.3 billion in 2004, an increase of 11% over last year. Some 34% of the country's exports in the first six months of 2004 went to emerging market countries, mostly neighbouring Southeast European states. Bulgaria's export insurance agency is primarily directed to insure non-commercial and political risks with firms from emerging market states.

 

The tips you receive in this bulletin are just a very, very small selection of the help, advice and information Wade World Trade can give you. Wade has been in the business since 1946, so we have decades of experience in international trade information. Our products and services include courses, manuals, advice, information, online resources and worldwide trade and business contacts - more or less everything you need to start and succeed in import-export.

 

For more details of our products and services visit our website at www.wadeworldtrade.com or call us on +44 (0)20 8663 3577.

 

Best Regards

 

Mark Hempshell

Editor