Export Promotion Council wins WTPO Award

11 Nov '08

3 min read

Export Promotion Council has won the Best Trade Promotion Organization award at the World Conference of Trade Promotion Organizations, taking place in The Hague on 13 and 14 October.

Kenya's Export Promotion Council was singled out for its contribution to the government's development goal to transform Kenya by 2030 into a middle-income country, with its integrated approach to help companies overcome export bottlenecks. The programme in six provinces combines product development, training and e-commerce; 100 firms were assessed for their long-term export potential. Common challenges included product design and development techniques, market information and access management and marketing knowledge.

Twenty-five firms were selected, and training programmes were designed and delivered to more than 1,700 exporters. Fashion jewellery, shoes, handbags, home furnishings, soaps and other products were then promoted at trade fairs and on a new web portal. Companies are now receiving business orders.

The winners of the World Trade Promotion Organization Awards for 2008 are:

• New Zealand: 'Best of the Best' Trade Promotion Organization
• Afghanistan: Best Trade Promotion Organization from a Least Developed Country
• Jamaica: Best Trade Promotion Organization from a Small Country
• Kenya: Best Trade Promotion Organization from a Developing Country
• New Zealand: Best Trade Promotion Organization from a Developed Country
• Costa Rica: Panellists' Surprise Award

The overall winner, New Zealand, was cited by the judging panel as “an exemplar to developing country TPOs” for its continuous innovation, growing international presence and excellence in country branding.

“We are a relatively small country, but we have successfully promoted our country brand, which means promoting our values – and our products and services – in international markets,” said Tim Gibson, Chief Executive of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

The World Trade Promotion Organization Awards are sponsored by the International Trade Centre, the agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, whose mandate is to help small exporters in developing countries.

“National trade promotion organizations are more important than ever during this economic crisis,” said Patricia R. Francis, ITC's Executive Director. ''They help create jobs at home by helping companies to expand internationally. They have the local knowledge, connections and experience to point people in the right direction of market opportunities to grow and compete in business.''

National trade promotion organizations build business opportunities that provide hope for today – and for generations to come. They have the local knowledge, connections and experience to point people in the direction of market opportunities to grow and compete in business.

“This was the third round of World Trade Promotion Organization Awards and interest in them was stronger than ever, demonstrating the importance that TPOs place on continually benchmarking their behaviour against their peers. TPOs are always striving to do better and to learn from each other, which is why these Awards and this WTPO Conference are such important events,” said Ms. Francis.

The WTPO Awards recognize the achievements of TPOs and reward the best of them – from the poorest countries to the most advanced. The Awards were presented at the 2008 World Conference of Trade Promotion Organizations, hosted by EVD International Business and Cooperation, the national trade promotion body of the Netherlands, in conjunction with ITC.

Export Promotion Council

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