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Arabic-speaking business owners gain access to a wealth of trade intelligence

30 octobre 2020
ITC News

The Global Trade Helpdesk, which offers SMEs free access to crucial trade data, is now available in Arabic

As governments in several parts of the world consider lockdowns in the face of a “second wave” of COVID-19, firms need intelligence to diversify markets and hedge risks.

In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), a new Arabic version of the Global Trade Helpdesk is enabling business owners to adapt their market strategies and discover detailed information about imports, market dynamics, tariffs, regulatory requirements, trade finance providers, potential buyers and more in one place.


ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton said the platform would help SMEs weather the COVID-19 storm.

‘SMEs are the foundation of the global economy, and ensuring an inclusive recovery depends on our ability to help them effectively engage in the global marketplace,’ she said.

‘We are keen to work with QDB to ensure that SMEs in the MENA region can also benefit from this new digital platform as we place trade at the centre of the global recovery.’

QDB chief executive officer Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al-Khalifa said: ‘We are pleased to announce this unique partnership and provide entrepreneurs with a new tool that adds value to the long list of tools and services provided by QDB through its various programs, departments, and affiliate institutions.’

He added: ‘Through this partnership, we have contributed to the Arabization of this platform to be available to all Arab companies. This confirms the strategy of the bank and the State of Qatar in providing growth opportunities and opening up regional and international markets for the private sector while supporting the entrepreneurial community with the best knowledge resources not only in Qatar but in the entire Arab world as well.’

The Global Trade Helpdesk enables entrepreneurs and business operators to identify and compare export opportunities by consolidating essential trade information from 11 partner agencies into one business-friendly platform. The platform simplifies market research for firms allowing them to quickly and efficiently evaluate different global markets and choose the most promising opportunities without using conventional, high-cost, and time-consuming methods.

The platform also allows users to explore import values, export potential, tariffs, market access conditions, export and import procedures, intellectual property rights protection, connect with trade finance providers and find potential business partners.

With Arabic, the Global Trade Helpdesk is now available in five United Nations’ official languages, including English, French, Spanish and Russian.