Center for the Promotion of Imports
The Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries was established in 1971. CBI is an Agency of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and part of the development cooperation effort of the foreign relations of the Netherlands.
CBI contributes to the economic development of developing countries by strengthening the competitiveness of companies from those countries on the markets of the European Union and EFTA. The primary clients and direct beneficiaries of CBI are Exporters; companies who export to Europe, Business Support Organisations in developing countries and Importers / Outsourcers; companies in Europe who buy from developing countries.
CBI offers a variety of market information tools to keep exporters and Business Support Organisations in developing countries in step with the very latest development on the EU market. It includes information about relevant governmental and voluntary and non-tariff barriers. It has an on-line facility that links well-versed suppliers in developing countries eligible for CBI assistance to reliable importing companies in the EU. Its export coaching activities are designed to assist entrepreneurs in developing countries in entering and succeeding on the European markets and/or consolidating or expanding their existing market share. CBI provides training for exporters and business support organisations on among others general export marketing and management, trade promotion, management of international trade fair participations and developing client-oriented market information systems.
CBI is also involved in institutional support for capacity building for selected business support organisations in export marketing and management, market information systems, institutional development and export diversification.
