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World
Trade Point Federation
The WTPF, an international non-governmental organisation
established in 2000, grew out of an innovative programme
of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD). Through a network of more than 100 trade information
and facilitation centres, known as Trade Points, the WTPF
assists small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in over 70
countries worldwide to trade internationally through the
use of electronic commerce technologies. Capitalising
on over a decade of Trade Point market presence, the Federation constantly
seeks strategic partners for the development of new value-added
services to enable it to better serve its clients.
WTPF activities
The WTPF is involved in the following activities:
- Helping SMEs find reliable business partners through
its Trade Point Network in over 70 countries worldwide
and encourages them to become more digitally active
in trade transactions
- Providing access to international market and investment
information worldwide
- Providing a unique Electronic Trade Opportunities
(ETO) system allowing SMEs to post and receive trade
leads free of charge
- Offering companies a non-stop presence on the web
through the Global Trade Directory System (GTDS)
- Entering into public and private partnerships to promote
its goals
- Receiving official government and trade missions in
its headquarters in Geneva
- Engaging in outward missions to promote the Trade
Point network
- Organising annual general assembly meetings and regional
meetings
- Representing Trade Points in international trade-related
forums
What is a Trade Point?
The WTPF describes a Trade Point as “a trade facilitation
centre where participants in foreign trade transactions
are grouped together under a single physical (i.e. an
actual office) or virtual roof to provide all the necessary
services for trade transactions. Examples of such trade
facilitation centres might include chambers of commerce,
customs, foreign trade institutes, banks, freight forwarders,
transport agencies and insurance companies, etc. The
Trade Point is also see as a “source of trade-related
information, providing actual and potential traders with
data about business and market opportunities, potential
clients and suppliers, trade regulations, standard
and certification requirements, etc.”. Ultimately,
the Trade Point network is a gateway to a global networking,
accelerating the access of SMEs to electronic commerce.
The Global Trade Directory System
The Global Trade Directory System has been developed to
be an extensive database of companies worldwide. This
service is still in the early stages of development,
however. It is a membership-based service (currently
costing US$200) and it gives you the opportunity of
giving your company global visibility. The benefits
of the GTDS for registered companies are:
Global visibility
- Your company data is freely available to anyone with
internet access
- You will have a presence on each local Trade Point
website
- It gives you a chance to find new trading partners
and to penetrate new markets
- It generates new business right where trade is being
promoted
- It helps you save costs on marketing and business
travel
- It give you access to the Company Alert service
Companies registered with the GTDS who are Certified
Trade Point Members also have access to the password protected
areas of the WTPF integrated website and preferential
ranking in the GTDS search engine. Becoming a Certified
Trade Point Member essentially means that your company
is evaluated and certified as a bona fide trading company
giving credence to your standing in the international
community.
You are strongly recommended to consider using the WTPF
system.
Click here to
access the WTPF website.
Click
here to access the WTPF ETO system.
Click
here to access the GTDS.
The Trade Point network in South Africa
The Trade Point network in South Africa
started off quite promisingly. The Tshwane-Pretoria
Trade Point (TPPT) took the initiative to launch the
Trade Point network in South Africa. This was later
followed by the Johannesburg Trade Point which was established
under the auspices of the JCCI. Trade Points were also
planned for Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban, and
SEDA (the Small Enterprise Development Agency – a
government agency) eventually took over the operations
of the South African Trade Point network.
Unfortunately some impetus has been lost and the TPPT
closed down in 2006. While the JCCI still runs an active
export promotion office for its members, the Johannesburg
Trade Point appears to have disappeared. Just recently
a Trade Point office was established in Kwazulu Natal,
but is apparently not contractually affiliated to the
WTPF. The other proposed Trade Points have not yet seen
the light of day.
Thus if you are interested in making contact with the
Trade Point network the best suggestion we have for you
is to visit the WTPF website and to join them direct!
Click here for
the WTPF website.
Click
here to access the (non-affiliated) KZN Trade Point
Click here to
access the SEDA website.
For more Electronic Trading Systems - please
click here.
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