JOBS project organized a workshop on Market Access and Market Analysis Tool in association with Chittagong Chamber and Commerce (CCCI).The workshop was conducted by the International Trade Centre (ITC) during September 8-9, 2004 at Independent University of Bangladesh (IUB). Amir Humayun Mahmud Chowdhury, President CCCI was the Chief Guest in the closing ceremony.

The just concluded training program dealing with a web based tool developed by ITC is instrumental in supporting market development strategies for exporters and importers and determining market positioning of a country particularly those of developing and least developed countries like Bangladesh. This valuable web based tool helps the business community to explore new market, exploit market opportunity, find market entry barrier and develop market entry and retention strategy. The participants of this training course have gained ample knowledge and experience in conducting through market research on international trade and learnt a lot on how they can effectively utilize this research result for the betterment of their own business community and the national economy as well.  

The workshop is in fact based on two web based distinct features, namely Trade Map and Market Access Map developed by ITC which are used extensively throughout the world for international market research and trade analysis. These two web based tools provide online access to the world’s largest and extensive database and various required information on export performance, international demand, alternative markets and the role of competitors   on both product and country perspective. 

The online Trade Map presents international trade flows in terms of value, quantity, trends, market share, and unit values of over 180 countries and territories of the world of about 5,300 products in harmonized system code. The data and information contained in Trade Map are quite reliable as those have been collected and cross checked by recognized and most dependable international organizations. The effective use of Trade Map is likely to immensely help   diversify our exports, know our main competitors in the world market and formulate pertinent strategies accordingly. The other important feature of the training programmed –Market Access Map, developed by ITC, deals with market access barriers. Though this important market research tool is yet to be lunched online, but it has already been developed to ensure transparency and support international marketing, trade promotion and analysis of trade policy issues by the business sector and civil society at large.

 Mr. Stephan Blanc and Ms. Helen Lassen, senior Market Analysts at ITC were in Bangladesh to conduct a series of workshops in Dhaka and Chittagong. The workshop concludes by distributing certificates among the participants at CCCI. Mr. Imran Shauket, Country Director, Mr. Asif U. Ahmed Deputy, Director Programs and Ms. Erika Hoffman-Kiess, Deputy Director Administration JOBS/IRIS Bangladesh were also present at the occasion.