Abstract:

The EXPORIENT data bank became operational in 1979 within the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/GATT with a view to collecting and processing rapidly and systematically foreign trade data on a large number of countries and to facilitating the selection of target markets for further intensive desk and field investigations. Export promotion organizations in numerous developing countries are currently using the services of this data bank by receiving regularly comprehensive series of tabulations on microfiche (ITS) or by requesting tailor-made printouts. Various computer programs provide detailed analyses of the export performance of individual developing countries (Profilimport tables and graphs) as well as their competitors (Market Analysis tables) for any given SITC product. In the changing context of international trade, such a quantitative approach, complemented by the experience drawn from recent marketing activities, is necessary to build efficient export promotion strategies. Subsequently, it provides an evaluation of the results of past marketing efforts with a view to revising the orientation of trade diversification policies by products and markets.