1. Sponsored by Organized by The New Zealand Aid AgencyThe Mekong Institute Khon Kaen in Thailand SME Cluster Development 14 – 25 May 2012 Compiled by Dr. Ed Canela

2. Session 7: Creating an Export Consortium Steps involved in consortium creation process Services provided by export consortia Examples of SME/Export consortia

3. Three Principles – Clear objectives – Consensus Building – Time factor

5. Basic services Administrative services (facsimile, email, etc.); Translations, interpretation and export consulting; Legal assistance; Creation of a common information system for the diffusion of relevant data (on business partners, market developments, etc.) among the members; Assistance in handling transport and customs clearance procedures;

6. Services related to the promotion of members’ products Joint Advertising (common catalogues, television spots, common website, etc.); Promotion, organization and coordination of member firms’ collective participation in exhibitions and industrial fairs both in the domestic market and abroad; Participation of delegates of member firms in economic missions and study tours to foreign countries; Collective hosting of potential clients; Creation of a consortium trademark or brand and its support through promotional activities; Creation of collective communication, promotion, and marketing plans; Public relations and lobbying activities.

7. Services going beyond mere promotional activities Information on technical developments in the members’ sectors, e.g. by reviewing industry-related press or participation in technical fairs; Organization of collective training activities and workshops; Market research (relating both to the geographic area and to the segment of the market to target) in order to identify where the economic activity of the consortium can best develop; Introduction of quality standards; Identification of distributors and clients; Establishment of a common distribution network;

8. Research on improved processing techniques; Research and development of new and improved products in order to react to the changing preferences of clients; Selection of suppliers of raw materials and equipment to be utilized by the associate firms and the definition of common purchasing methods; Joint shipping; Assistance in obtaining certification of adherence to certain standards (e.g. ISO 9000); Response to a request by joint or complementary offers; Collective participation in tenders; Recovery of credit extended towards members’ customers; Negotiation of preferential agreements with banks, travel agencies, etc.; Assurance of the member firms’ professional ethics.