From agriculture to industrial products, consumer goods and professional services, information and communications technologies (ICT) is playing a major role in the 21st. century. International trade professionals and companies can apply ICT to save costs when they organize export processes, conduct market research, and manage payments and customer relations.

Recognizing the potential of ICTs is one thing; applying them to boost the bottom line is another. Faced with a sometimes bewildering choice of e-business solutions, small and large exporters need to know which applications will boost visibility, improve efficiency or enhance products. They cover a wide range: developing a web site; using business-to-business e-marketplaces; export documents compliance, and more.

In view of the above, Trade Development Network (TDN) supports developing and transition economies, and particularly their business sector, in their efforts to realize their full potential for developing exports and improving trade operations through ICT.

Inspired by the concept of United Nations Global Alliance for ICT Development -UN-GAID’s (www.un-gaid.org)  "Communities of Expertise" (CoEs), Trade Development Network was initiated by experts from UNCTAD,  Standard_Chartered Bank, ABN_AMRO_Bank, Banque_BNP_Paribas and Deutsche_Bank_AG  plus logistic providers, international traders and IT experts, all dedicated to mobilizing the trade sector in support of Economic Cooperation among G8 & G77-UN Developing Countries. TDN’s mandate is to provide information and FREE software tools that allow Chambers of Commerce, manufacturers, importers, exporters, banks, and logistics providers to automate and manage the complexity of their global trade, compliance and logistics processes.

TDN shares the collective development goals of the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Bretton Woods institutions and, more generally, of the international development community. We advise business, trade associations and governments on making the most of ICT for trade development. TDN’s trade facilitation approach reflects its emphasis on being a realistic agency.

Since it was initially conceived, TDN has progressively built strategic alliances with member Chambers, the ICC, the US Government’s AES, the Federation_of_International_Trade_Associations, Customs Authorities, other international organizations and private sector companies in pursuit of its mission of ECDC. TDN’s institutional affiliations and relationships position it to be the major catalyst in involving MNC’s and SMEs around the world in doing business in the emerging global economy.

Future Action Planning

TDN is now creating the institutional framework for successful future operations and expansion. The coming years will see the addition of new software and trade facilitation tools including promotion and assistance enabling the full participation of all Chambers of Commerce. In addition to this TDN is also working with various custom authorities of various countries and UN agencies to streamline online declarations and electronic filing.