In a market characterized by slow population growth and weak purchasing power, it is next to impossible to increase sales and business profits without leveraging exports. Those who fail to do so must be content to live with the status quo and more importantly, to expose themselves to the constant risk of losing customers enticed by the products and services of competitors from around the world who will become stakeholders in our domestic markets sooner, rather than later.

To be successful in the area of exports, it is important to be adequately prepared in order to avoid the major pitfalls encountered by some SMEs. The rules are straightforward but the challenge lies in learning how to work with them and to apply them effectively.