Business Loans

Ireland isn’t going to be the next Calcutta or Mumbai. It isn’t trying to be the back office customer care contact center Mecca of the Western world. Which is probably just as well.

What it does want to do is build its position as a leading European provider of the next business stage up from contact centers – contact center plus, if you like – offering serious technical support and a whole range of services way beyond giving simple solutions to straightforward customer inquiries. Some are operated by outsourced suppliers but most in Ireland are managed by the companies they serve.

Here, staff are dealing with the entire internal communications system for vast, multi-national operations. They are handling not only traditional Helpdesk calls, but providing technical support to their own staff and business-to-business, dealing with HR issues like recruitment and sick leave, payroll systems, company accounts as well as in-company communications about policy and strategy, staff and customer information and the intranet function.

In its now sophisticated telecoms sector, Ireland boasts 66 contact centres for a range of companies that include 3Com, American Airlines, AOL, Dell, eBay, GE Insurance, Google, Hewlett Packard, IBM, MBNA, Oracle, Starwood Hotels, Symantec and Xerox – and that’s just an arbitrary sample.

These centres – Europeans call them Shared Services Centres, but most Americans will be more familiar with the term Managed Services – are where Ireland sees its growth potential, though the Irish have no intention of turning their backs on ordinary contact center investments serving banking and catalog customers for example. read more »

Indian export development’s primary objective is to improve Indian industries competitiveness in international markets, develops, coordinates and implements Indian government export promotion activities. This is accomplished through the managements of an integrated export development program organized by Indian industry sectors.

The mission of each industry sector group in export development is to foster the competitiveness and growth of its industries and promote their increased participation in international markets.

This is accomplished through a mix of government and industry cooperation, analysis, export promotion and export policy development activities based on that industries export competitiveness needs and interests. Export development identifies and analyzes issues with respect to small business and recommends polices and programs to promote competitiveness.

Specifically, export developments takes a three-pronged program approach – policy development, industry analysis and trade promotion. To boost the export programs – first identify obstacles and export opportunities by product, industry sector and market by working with commerce advisory committees, industry associations and individual firms, then monitor foreign targeting practices and assess the impact of these practices on Indian industry sectors and develop priorities for industry specific programs and formulate strategies to advance export in specific sectors. read more »

One of the most popular and rewarding industries of modern day society is the import/export industry. If you have the motivation to succeed in business, you may want to start an import/export business.

If you start an import/export business, you could, for example, import custom-made light fixtures and export paper materials. The possibilities are endless if you start an import export business. If you want to start an import/export business it is important to think about which type you would be interested in.

There are several types including an export management company (EMC), an export trading company (ETC), and an import/export merchant. An export management company is a business that usually specializes in a single product and handles all the export operations for a domestic company that wishes to enter the market overseas.

An export trading company focuses on learning what foreign buyers want to purchase and then locates domestic sources interested in exporting. Finally, the import/export merchant does not specialize in any single industry or product and therefore does not have a specific client base. read more »

The U.S. Export-Import Bank is committed to providing financing for American exports to many countries in Africa. There are substantial opportunities for American companies to sell to the South African countries that in 2006 purchased over 12 Billion dollars of U.S. exports.

The market opportunities in Africa are ginormous. With a total market size of over 400 billion dollars and a population of over 680 million people, the continent is hungry for food, housing, energy, transportation products, health products and services, and sanitation facilities.

In the health care market there is an enormous need for quality pharmaceuticals. Fake drugs are a problem in Africa. Similarly, quality health care services are lacking. The large African health market is in need of companies to distribute medicines and other health related consumer products and essential prevention and treatment products.

In the telecommunications market there is a great need for increased mobile phone services. There is also a need for pre-paid test messaging services; eventually, Africa will catch up to the internet/computer revolution.

The water market presents new opportunities as cities grow faster than the water infrastructure can expand. There is an urgent need for devices to abate pollution caused by industrialization, agricultural runoff and lack of sanitation services. In these areas, high tech inventions that are relatively inexpensive to sanitize water will create social and health benefits for millions of people. read more »

Given the relationship of the US Dollar to almost every other currency, export opportunities for US businesses have not been this good since the 1950’s. The weak US Dollar makes virtually every American made product or service more attractive to a global market. Yet the chance of failure in those efforts looms for many reasons, not the least of which is American arrogance in language.

The famous Irish dramatist George Bernard Shaw once said: “England and America are two countries separated by a common language.” Add these countries to the list of “separated” from America: Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Canada, just to name a few of the many “English speaking” countries throughout the world…and that’s not counting the countries where English is the key second language. While the principal language in the US is called “English,” it would more appropriately be referred to “the American Dialect of the English Language.” Because the title is too long, and because adaptation of the language to American society has been centuries in the making, it is still called “English.”

Why is that important to American businesses that want to export? Simply put, you want to create the impression that your company is a capable of doing business globally. The problem is that most United States producers do not know how to communicate well with the global marketplace, and that is compounded by that perception that Americans, regardless of the field, are arrogant. (One small piece of it is that the US is the only major country in world to not be operating at least partially on the metric system.) Americans speak, write, and advertise in that distinct American dialect, and if American slang is used in advertising to be humorous for example, with the possible exception of some Canadians and American ex-patriots, the probability is that no one will understand the gag. read more »

Sourcing your products from the China wholesale markets means margins you can’t find elsewhere, margins which will skyrocket your profits and allow you to dominate your market.

China has been described as the world’s factory.

It might well be re-named China Wholesale Inc.

The phenomenal economic growth in China, typified by the rise of Shanghai – now the world’s biggest city, in the world’s biggest country – will have an ever-increasing effect on world trade, and on the world of re-selling on the Internet.

China manufactures for the world, and anyone looking to source products just has to start their search in the China wholesale markets. And that means me, and probably you as well.

Many US re-sellers are still convinced that the way to a quick fortune is to go to China, find the guy who makes shoes for Gucci or handbags for Prada, and persuade him to run off an extra few hundred.

A less-reputable China wholesale manufacturer might do this, but the product will not bear the coveted label. You might manage to import the goods into the US, but no way can you sell them – legally – as brand-name products, even if they are made by the same manufacturer as the genuine product.

Beware the so-called “grey market”. The Brand name companies are becoming ever-more aggressive in pursuing through the courts anyone infringing their copyright.

In most manufacturing sectors, China is a volume producer, which means that you will always be facing high minimum order quantities, typically thousands of units, which make it seem a no-go area for the solitary trader of modest means. But there is a solution to this problem, as you will see later.

China already has a good reputation for quality clothing, shoes, and basic commodities, but increasingly China wholesalers are turning to high-technology products.

The good news is that the China wholesale manufacturers and the agents are very clued-up on the US market, and very quick to respond to requests for sample products and price and delivery quotations. The really good news is that there is usually an unbelievably margin, so if you have the bankroll and the expertise you could really make a lot of money at this.

So what about a plan of action?

If the China wholesale market excites you, you really can’t do without the services of a local China-based agent.

He is the guy who has personal contact with all the manufacturers and factory owners. He knows the China wholesale world intimately – he knows the best sources for all the products. He acts as the middleman and effectively as the purse-holder, and you will need such an expert to guide you through the minefield that is the Chinese-US tax issue.

He will ensure that the product gets shipped on time, and most importantly can check on the quality of the product before it is shipped.

These Chinese export agents are monitored and encouraged financially by their Government to promote China wholesale business overseas, so you should be able to find a reputable one without any problem.

The bottom line is – if you’re serious about sourcing goods from China in volume, then you really can’t do the business without a good China-based agent. You just have to invest the time to go over to China, ideally when one of the big trade fairs or conventions are taking place. (You can easily find this information on your favorite Search Engine).

Here you can meet with the agents, who can introduce you to the factory owners, who will invite you to the factory to see the product being made, and will probably give you an on-the-spot quotation.

You will find, as I did, that much business in China is still conducted on a personal-relationship basis, so if you don’t make the personal contacts and establish and cultivate relationships in the China wholesale world, then you probably won’t thrive in China.

If you simply haven’t got the time or resources to establish personal contacts in China, then you could look for a good US based Chinese agent or broker – ideally one based in your own city or State.(Again, you can find one using the Search Engines). You may be lucky and find one who has good contacts in China, and he can guide you through much of the bureaucracy involved in importing from a China wholesaler. read more »

The U.S. Export-Import Bank is committed to providing financing for American exports to many countries in Africa. There are substantial opportunities for American companies to sell to the South African countries that in 2006 purchased over 12 Billion dollars of U.S. exports.

The market opportunities in Africa are ginormous. With a total market size of over 400 billion dollars and a population of over 680 million people, the continent is hungry for food, housing, energy, transportation products, health products and services, and sanitation facilities.

In the health care market there is an enormous need for quality pharmaceuticals. Fake drugs are a problem in Africa. Similarly, quality health care services are lacking. The large African health market is in need of companies to distribute medicines and other health related consumer products and essential prevention and treatment products.

In the telecommunications market there is a great need for increased mobile phone services. There is also a need for pre-paid test messaging services; eventually, Africa will catch up to the internet/computer revolution.

The water market presents new opportunities as cities grow faster than the water infrastructure can expand. There is an urgent need for devices to abate pollution caused by industrialization, agricultural runoff and lack of sanitation services. In these areas, high tech inventions that are relatively inexpensive to sanitize water will create social and health benefits for millions of people. read more »

Overview and Trends

Textile industry in India is considered as a pioneer industry, as India’s industrializations in other fields have succeeded through the resources generated by textile industry. Though, from the early 1970s to the beginning of liberalization in 1992, the industry tended to be isolated as measures taken by the Government (with the apparent objective of protecting the cotton growers, the large labor force and the consumers) have constantly eroded its prosperity.

World over, the Indian textile industry is considered as the second largest industry. It has the biggest cotton acreage of 9 million hectares and is considered as the third largest producer of this fiber. In terms of staple fiber production it comes fourth and sixth for filament yarn production. The country reports about one fourth of global trade in cotton yarn.

With over 15 million people employment, the textile industry accounted for 20 percent of its industrial production. Covering textiles and garments, thirty percent of India’s export comes from this sector, in terms of exports it is the largest contributors for the growth of Indian economy. In spite of high capital and power cost, the Indian textile and garment sector’s strength comes from the availability of cotton, lower labor costs, well skilled supervisory staff and plentiful technical and managerial skills.

Although very few countries are endowed with such resources, today’s globalization has brought new opportunities for the India textile industry. Concurrently, it is exposed to threats, particularly from cheap imported fabrics. Thus, India has to fight for her share in the international textile trade. Even if it is assumed that WTO will mean better distribution of the world trade, the benefits for India will not be any different than for the other developing countries. The Indian textile industry would, therefore, have to not only rely on its strengths but should also endeavor to remove its weakness.

India’s apparel exporters, though, have been employing various strategies to make sure that they remain competitive in the liberalized trading environment of 2005 and beyond. Many manufacturers are taking action for improving production efficiency through advanced automation system, re-engineering of production systems, merging separate production units and backward and forward integration of operations and are keen to expand their production capacity in anticipation of enhanced demand in 2005 and beyond Among other manufacture are seeking changes through diversifying their product ranges, exporting high value apparel and improving their design capabilities and some of are planning to raise added value by setting up joint ventures with foreign firms, to take benefit of their technical, design and marketing proficiency. Others are making relationships with foreign buyers to increase their marketing capability.

Support has also arrived from the Indian government in the removal of restrictions on investment by large companies and foreign investors. The Government has also provided assistance to expand the infrastructure for exporters and has given incentives for techno-logical up-gradation. Though, most important restriction is the inflexibility in labor laws, which cause it hard for large firms to cut their workforces when require.

Textile industry in tenth plan

The Tenth Five Year Plan of India (2002-2007) forecasted a GDP growth rate of 8 percent for which an industrial growth of 10 percent is predicted.

The aim of the Tenth Plan is to facilitate the textile and apparel industry to:

. Develop world class state-of the-art production facility to accomplish and maintain a leading global position in production and export of textiles and clothing.

. Withstand demands of import penetration and uphold a dominant existence in the domestic market.

. To accomplish these aims heavy funds are needed in technology and modernization in critical areas particularly in spinning, weaving, knitting, finishing and apparel sectors.

. The technology up-gradation scheme (TUFS) introduced in 1999 intended to make investments component attractive. This scheme has been established to promote modernization and technology up-gradation in the specified sectors of textile and jute industries.

. The Government of India has also declared the National Textile Policy-2000 to expand a sound and vibrant textile industry. The objectives and plunged areas of the national textile policy cover technology up-gradation, enhancement of productivity, quality consciousness, product diversification and so on. read more »

Opportunities come your way via several routes. It could be a tip from a friend, something said in discussions, a look at the shops around you, or something you stumbled on online. Newspapers are also prolific sources of business ideas. But if your interest is investing overseas, specifically in the Middle East, find that chance in the daily Lebanon news.

Real Estate Finds

Investing overseas is not unusualm but for first-time investors who want value for their hard-earned dollars, this kind of investment is novel. However, scouting for breaks can be frustrating, especially if you don’t know where to look. Interestingly, Lebanon news classifieds have it all detailed and the best bet is real estate.

For your real estate investment, choose from chalets, apartments, industrial offices, land, offices, studio rooms, clinics, showrooms, retail, and villas. You also have the option to go for a share certificate. You can also advertise your real properties for sale in the online classifieds for a minimal fee. read more »