The Export Readiness Checklist is a quick mechanism to assess your current standing in terms of your readiness to export.
It allows you to assess the progress of your exporting initiative and to be sure to understand exactly the export details before you start.
Do you have a product or service that is successfully sold in Qatar?
Success of your product or service in the domestic market is a good indicator that you will find your customers in foreign markets as well.
If your product is not introduced in the local market yet, it is advisable to focus on domestic sales first. Once you gain more confidence in the quality of your product and satisfaction of your customers, you can start exploring foreign markets.
Is your company's management committed to exploring foreign markets and can dedicate necessary resources?
Management commitment is an extremely important factor for starting export operations, as it makes sure there is a proper focus on foreign markets.
Without a proper commitment from management exports will most probably have a fragmented pattern and it will be difficult to ensure continuous supply.
Do you have an export business plan with defined goals and strategies?
Well-developed business plan will help stay within the defined markets, products and budgets.
Lack of a export business plan can lead to spreading efforts over a large number of countries, without having a tangible success in any of them. Tasdeer can help you in defining the priorities for your product range.
Do you have sufficient production capacity to supply to both local and foreign markets, or do you need an expansion?
Available capacity at the factory can ensure shorter delivery period, which is especially crucial in case of export operations, as export route might take longer time than the local one.
In case if factory is expected to be loaded for a long period, it is advisable either to consider dedicating a portion of its capacity for export operations only, or to work towards expansion.
Do you have knowledge in shipping the product overseas (i.e. list of available freight forwarders in Qatar, freight costs, etc.)?
Good knowledge of local freight forwarders and their offerings helps to get better rates, optimize the shipping cost as well as decrease the delivery time.
Check the list of available freight forwarders in Qatar. Send them RFQs and compare the prices. Pay attention to how your product will be stuffed to ensure a full container load. QDB has a special arrangement with Milaha to provide competitive prices to Qatari exporters, please contact Tasdeer for more information.
Do you have knowledge of export payment methods, such as letter of credit, and are you eligible to get an LC from your bank?
In case if you can be eligible for a letter of credit from a reliable bank, it will give you advantages in the negotiations and help you secure the potential deal.
Try to explore product offerings of the commercial banks and check what is missing in your company from the financial perspective in order to benefit from a letter of credit. Please, note that if you are unable to offer an LC, you might need to request advance payment, which is not a preferable option for your potential buyer.
Are you aware of the technical requirements in the destination markets?
Technical requirements of the destination country shall be met to ensure smooth customs clearance process.
Compliance with the technical requirements of a destination country is a must, as your products can be stopped on the border and not allowed for free circulation inside the country in case if these rules are not respected. Try to explore with international conformity assessment companies what are the technical requirements of the market you are targeting before proceeding with an export deal.
Do you have all the necessary marketing and promotion tools to introduce your product abroad?
Availability of a good marketing toolkit shows your readiness to launch an efficient campaign in the foreign market in order to promote your product.
Conduct an inventory of all available components of your brandbook (images, designs, logos, etc.) that can be used in the development of a proper marketing campaign. Check if these elements are suitable for the market you are targeting, or they need some adjustment. In addition, please, check QDB support on marketing services.
