Where High Tech is Happening for Exporters
While money can be made exporting just about anything
that sells in the U.S., there's no question that some products
made in the USA project a lot more perceived value than others.
One of the better export areas for U.S. exporters has been and
continues to be high tech products. These are products -
such as computer technology - or computers that can be sold
directly to end users, or products - such as data networks -
which may be sold to businesses.
What is IT? IT stands for "Information Technology" products and
it includes things like traditional computer applications, data
storage, video conferencing equipment, software support,
radio and telephone equipment, and all the cost staff
associated with these products.
This does not mean the list of available IT products is
limited to these items. Exporters and export agents or
brokers, should be searching for niches within this larger
niche. Example: if you are a consultant or trainer for a
specific piece of software, you are in the IT business. If
you or the company you represent produces covers for
specialized telephones, you're in the IT business.
The IT business, especially for exporters - is booming.
Most countries have grown to appreciate the impact IT has in
their country's economy and in the lives of the people living
there. They want U.S. products and expertise related to the
IT field.
The fastest-growing field of IT in the U.S. and elsewhere is in
the software and services industry. The IT industry itself has
become a major driver of growth in countries that are
increasingly seeking more IT products and services to
fuel that growth. Countries as diverse as India, Ireland, and
Taiwan are attempting to emulate USA success with their own IT
initiatives.
It should not be assumed that countries with a strong IT presence
are immune from interest in U.S. exports. Quite the contrary.
They are likely to be even more interested, particularly as new
technologies spring up. It should also not be assumed that
countries without a significant IT sector can be targeted. Some
of these countries are too poor and unable to support Internet
and telephone technologies - or maybe they can. It depends.
Where are potential target markets for IT opportunities?
Africa: In general, countries in the South African region seem
to have a stronger IT-based environment. This includes South
Africa as well as Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Senegal and
Cote D'Ivoire are two other countries with an impressive
Internet and telecommunications network.
There are great obstacles in a country like Nigeria but
tremendous opportunities as well. Nigeria is at the bottom of
the list in terms of number of Internet users but it has one of
the highest densities of PCs among its residents. An entire
nation is armed with computers but is unable to access the most
powerful tool - the Internet. Corruption and poverty within this
country, make it difficult for exporters to target or benefit
from this great potential.
Asia: The countries of Korea, Singapore and Taiwan are at or
near the top in every category except phone line growth. On the
other hand, the three countries that are generally near the
bottom in all the categories make up the top three in phone line
growth: China, Philippines and Vietnam. These nations are
started from a low base and have (and continue to) heavily
invest in their telecommunications infrastructure. Indonesia,
Malaysia and Thailand are in the middle range of these indicators.
Latin America: The two largest countries by population, Brazil,
and Mexico, are lodged in the middle of the group but near
the bottom in most categories. Other countries with sophisticated
IT networks include Uruguay and Chile with Argentina close behind.
Eastern Europe: Czech Republic and Hungary are good areas to
target as they have a growing sophistication in IT but also have
a high rate of phone line growth. Bulgaria is noted primarily for
their inexpensive local phone calls and low number of faults per
100 lines. Opportunities continue to be good for all products
but especially IT exports to many countries in Eastern Europe.
Western Europe is a very unique market. It both imports and
exports IT technologies. Generally speaking, countries with
higher per capita GDP tend to have more developed
telecommunications infrastructure and greater levels of IT
spending meaning there are always opportunities there.
that sells in the U.S., there's no question that some products
made in the USA project a lot more perceived value than others.
One of the better export areas for U.S. exporters has been and
continues to be high tech products. These are products -
such as computer technology - or computers that can be sold
directly to end users, or products - such as data networks -
which may be sold to businesses.
What is IT? IT stands for "Information Technology" products and
it includes things like traditional computer applications, data
storage, video conferencing equipment, software support,
radio and telephone equipment, and all the cost staff
associated with these products.
This does not mean the list of available IT products is
limited to these items. Exporters and export agents or
brokers, should be searching for niches within this larger
niche. Example: if you are a consultant or trainer for a
specific piece of software, you are in the IT business. If
you or the company you represent produces covers for
specialized telephones, you're in the IT business.
The IT business, especially for exporters - is booming.
Most countries have grown to appreciate the impact IT has in
their country's economy and in the lives of the people living
there. They want U.S. products and expertise related to the
IT field.
The fastest-growing field of IT in the U.S. and elsewhere is in
the software and services industry. The IT industry itself has
become a major driver of growth in countries that are
increasingly seeking more IT products and services to
fuel that growth. Countries as diverse as India, Ireland, and
Taiwan are attempting to emulate USA success with their own IT
initiatives.
It should not be assumed that countries with a strong IT presence
are immune from interest in U.S. exports. Quite the contrary.
They are likely to be even more interested, particularly as new
technologies spring up. It should also not be assumed that
countries without a significant IT sector can be targeted. Some
of these countries are too poor and unable to support Internet
and telephone technologies - or maybe they can. It depends.
Where are potential target markets for IT opportunities?
Africa: In general, countries in the South African region seem
to have a stronger IT-based environment. This includes South
Africa as well as Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Senegal and
Cote D'Ivoire are two other countries with an impressive
Internet and telecommunications network.
There are great obstacles in a country like Nigeria but
tremendous opportunities as well. Nigeria is at the bottom of
the list in terms of number of Internet users but it has one of
the highest densities of PCs among its residents. An entire
nation is armed with computers but is unable to access the most
powerful tool - the Internet. Corruption and poverty within this
country, make it difficult for exporters to target or benefit
from this great potential.
Asia: The countries of Korea, Singapore and Taiwan are at or
near the top in every category except phone line growth. On the
other hand, the three countries that are generally near the
bottom in all the categories make up the top three in phone line
growth: China, Philippines and Vietnam. These nations are
started from a low base and have (and continue to) heavily
invest in their telecommunications infrastructure. Indonesia,
Malaysia and Thailand are in the middle range of these indicators.
Latin America: The two largest countries by population, Brazil,
and Mexico, are lodged in the middle of the group but near
the bottom in most categories. Other countries with sophisticated
IT networks include Uruguay and Chile with Argentina close behind.
Eastern Europe: Czech Republic and Hungary are good areas to
target as they have a growing sophistication in IT but also have
a high rate of phone line growth. Bulgaria is noted primarily for
their inexpensive local phone calls and low number of faults per
100 lines. Opportunities continue to be good for all products
but especially IT exports to many countries in Eastern Europe.
Western Europe is a very unique market. It both imports and
exports IT technologies. Generally speaking, countries with
higher per capita GDP tend to have more developed
telecommunications infrastructure and greater levels of IT
spending meaning there are always opportunities there.
posted by Ron Coble at 6:42 PM
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