A New Global Trade Deal

An international agreement estimated to boost global trade by $1 trillion a year has entered into force. Roberto Azevedo, the Director General of the World Trade Organization, called this agreement "the biggest reform of global trade in a generation".

It is necessary to recall that the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) was finally agreed in 2013, at a meeting in Bali, but could not come into force until 110 countries had ratified it.

The TFA involves streamlining customs procedures, which is considered to have a bigger impact than eliminating all existing taxes (tariffs) on imports. Countries will sign up to a long list of reforms, including easier access for businesses to information, reduced fees and simpler and faster procedures.

According to the WTO economists, the agreement would cut the cost of trading by about 14.3%. They also said that the developing nations would gain the most.

The Trade Facilitation Agreement is one of the few successes of a much wider set of negotiations that were launched in 2001 at the Doha Round.

Source:
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-39049074

15 Countries With the Highest Quality of Life Index

InterNations (the largest global community for people living abroad) surveyed 14,300 expatriates, of 174 nationalities, from 191 countries to rate different aspects of life abroad. The participants were asked questions on the following aspects: Leisure Options, Personal Happiness, Travel and Transport, Health and Well-Being, Safety and Security.

Here is the list of 15 countries with the highest Quality of Life Index (2016):

1. Taiwan - is a newcomer which rose right to the top of the 67 countries

2. Austria - comes in first in the Health & Well-Being subcategory and impresses with its clean air and healthcare.

3. Japan - leads in transport and peacefulness

4. Spain - occupies the second place in leisure options category.

5. Costa Rica - leads in personal happiness.

6. Malta - is on the 1st place in the category leisure options.

7. Czech Republic - is on the 4th place in the travel and transport category.

8. Singapore -  was the winner of the Quality of Life Index in 2015.

9. Germany - comes 7th in the health and well-being category.

10. Switzerland - occupies the 6th position in the safety and security category.

11. South Korea - is raked 7th in the travel and transport category.

12. Canada - comes 4th position in the safety and security category.

13. New Zealand - is raked 6th in the personal happiness category and 8th in safety and security.

14. Portugal - is on the 11th place in the leisure options category.

15. France - comes 8th in the health and well-being category.

Source:
https://www.internations.org/expat-insider/2016/quality-of-life-index

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Export Portal - a Smart Approach to Trade

Export Portal.com is the right place to buy products securely, as well as import and export safely - all in one place! We have created all the necessary conditions for a secure and successful trade, and now you just have to:

Browse our huge collection of products for sale - Order products worldwide in some easy clicks- Pay securely - Check the status of your shipment and track your package - Get your product delivered with care!

Register your business - List an unlimited number of products - Advertise your items and reach a global audience of buyers - Select a verified shipper to deliver the products - Get support in preparing trade documents - Get paid!

Export Portal has always focused on providing quality support and making it easy for you to arrange export and import deals. We connect you to customers and businesses from around the world and help you find suppliers and B2B partners!

Inflation Jumps in Eurozone

According to Eurostat, the inflation in Eurozone hit a near 4 year high in January. To be specific, inflation in the euro area jumped to 1.8% last month from 1.1% the month before. One of the causes of the inflation is the jump in energy prices in January compared with the year before.

 

                                        Image source: http://advisoranalyst.com/glablog/2014/09/23/contrarian-view-eurozones-                                                        economy-is-turning-the-corner.html

Eurostat data also revealed that eurozone's GDP growth reached 0.5% in the fourth quarter of 2016, up from 0.4% in the previous quarter.

The same source showed that the euro area's unemployment rate fell to 9.6% in December, which is the lowest rate since May 2009.

Source
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-38807942

Seven Steps for a B2B Startup

B2B start up in seven steps:

1) Your brand premise should be clear and concise.
This means that the description of the brand premise should be simple and very clear for everyone. Complex descriptions don't attract new customers and new partners.

2) Enunciate the brand premise on your homepage.
Attention! Do not try to post as much information as possible. Choose a clear, central theme of your business and promote it. A clean, simple design is your best friend. Apply this technique for your logo, your website, your blog and anything else that the customer sees.

3) Identify potential buyers and target them
It is very important to try to define your potential clients more precisely, because it is easier to be convincing when you have a narrow target.

4) All messaging should have a goal of conversion
This action suppose turning site visitors into customers. Ask your clients questions about the site, about the brand and products to understand your progress.

5) Differentiate
Your brand shouldn't be necessarily seen as the best. Be different- it is better.

6) Invest in the design of your site and it will work for you
A creative web site makes you look more successful and helps you attract new customers and partners.

7) Create content which is most appreciated by your customers
Videos that provide information your client really needs is a strategy that will considerately grow your brand.

Advantages of E-commerce

The e-commerce business model replaced the traditional commerce, as more and more companies choose to sell goods via an e-commerce platform. The reasons why e-commerce became so widespread are clear, it obviously provides advantages for both buyers and sellers.

The advantages for buyers are the following:
- Eliminate geographical limits
Buyers can purchase products from around the world by some simple clicks. Customers don't need to wait for the overseas products to appear in their local shops, them can just find the desired items on an e-commerce site and add them to the cart.

- Bring favorite overseas shops closer
Customers do not always have the possibility to travel to another country in order to do shopping in their favorite shops. Instead, they can visit the online versions of these same shops from their homes!

- Give the possibility to compare products
With e-commerce buyers have the possibility to compare products and prices, and choose the most convenient offers.

- Help buyers find reviews
Reviews people write about the items help customers buy quality products.

The advantages for sellers are:
- Help businesses go global
The e-commerce business model allows sellers expand on an international level, reach new markets and find new customers.

- Eliminate waiting for check clearing
The electronic payment systems simplifies a lot financial transactions. Sellers don't have to wait the check clearing, as the electronic transactions are instant.

- Enables companies to sell products worldwide
With e-commerce companies are not limited to sell their products regionally, they can sell products across the world. Goods can be sold without any geographical limit, thus increasing sales and giving companies new opportunities.