Page 34 - Export and Trade

Choosing your partner Support agencies
Whetheryouarestartinganimportingorexporting There are a range of support agencies in New Zealand that
EXVLQHVV RQHRIWKHPDMRUNH\V WRVXFFHVVLV¿QGLQJWKH can help you in starting your import business. These include:
rightpartners.Findingapartnerwhowillworkwithyou
over the long term to help you grow your business and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
FDQ RIIHU \RX ÀH[LEOH VROXWLRQV WR PHHW WKH GHPDQGV RI If you are visiting an offshore market contact NZTE to
themarket,aswellasofferyoutermsoftradethatare ¿QG RXW ZKHWKHU WKHUH LV DQ\ DVVLVWDQFH WKDW WKH\ FDQ
reasonable for all parties, is vital. provide you with while in-market.
Below are some points to be considered when looking www.nzte.govt.nz
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•Marketvisit –Visitingafactoryorpremisestellsyou 2YHUVHDV *RYHUQPHQWV¶ 1HZ =HDODQG RI¿FHV
a lot about a potential partner. In addition to being Most countries have representation in New Zealand either
able to assess their capability and capacity in person, LQ WKH IRUP RI DQ HPEDVV\ RU FRQVXODWH 7KHVH RI¿FHV KROG
you’ll see the quality of the product that you will be important trade-related information about their country
purchasing. and often receive enquiries from businesses back in their
• How long has the company been trading for? If the country that are looking for trade opportunities.
company has been in business for a long time it shows Visit: http://mfat.govt.nz/Embassies/2-Foreign-
they have a solid business that can stand the test of representatives-to-NZ/Diplomatic-and-Consular-
time. If the company has changed its name often, it List.php
couldbeawarningsignthattheyhavehadproblems.
•Whoarethemajorcustomers?It’sadvisable to request The Importers Institute of New Zealand
references from past customers about the performance The Importers Institute keeps members informed on
of the company over the long term, their reputation for topical issues of interest and represent importers’
delivering on expectations and paying their bills. interests before policy makers and the public.
•Whatarethetermsoftrade?Ifacompanywillonly
accept payment up front before the delivery of goods, Business Councils
itmaybeasignthattheyare eithernotinastrong Business Councils promote trade between New Zealand
¿QDQFLDO SRVLWLRQ DQG RU WKHLU VWDQGLQJ ZLWK WKHLU EDQN DQG VSHFL¿F RIIVKRUH PDUNHWV 7KH PHPEHUVKLS RI
PHDQV WKH\ FDQQRW DFFHVV WUDGH ¿QDQFH VHUYLFHV 7KHUH these Business Councils is often made up of companies
areanumberofbankingtoolsavailablethatprotectthe and individuals that have a commercial interest or
interests of both buyer and seller, including Irrevocable relationship with each particular country. Business
Letters of Credit. Before entering any commercial Councils often have partnerships or relationships with
arrangement discuss options with your banker. similar organisations in the sister country.

Writeabusinessplan Online trade directories
Writingabusinessplantakestimebuttheprocess Online trade directories allow you to search for potential
does force you to assess the following elements of your suppliers and partners by criteria such as product type,
proposed business: location of supplier and company size.
• Revenue and expense forecasting.
‡)LQDQFLQJ\RXUEXVLQHVV LQFOXGLQJFDVKÀRZDQG Local Chamber of Commerce
attracting investment funds. The International Chamber of Commerce network is the
•Businessstructures, taxand compliance. largest business network internationally with more than
• Short-term, medium-term and long-term forecasting. 22,000 Chambers of Commerce worldwide.
•Marketingstrategy. The New Zealand Chambers of Commerce website is:
• Human Resource requirements. www.newzealandchambers.co.nz/
• e-Commerce requirements.
Further, if you do actually get to the point where New Zealand Chambers of Commerce
you are going to start your import business, lenders in offshore markets
will want to see that you have thoroughly analysed the In some key trade markets, New Zealand Chambers of
opportunity and a detailed business plan will go a long Commerce have been established by expatriates living
way in showing that you’ve carried out the groundwork. in-market to promote business between that particular

32 NZ Export & Trade Handbook 2018