The Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) is partnering with OWIT-Toronto to build and enhance women’s global business skills, expertise and knowledge. The partnership seeks to leverage existing  resources, expertise and capabilities to empower women in global markets with key information, knowledge and up-to-date international issues on accessing global markets and advancing profitable competition.

FITT is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing international business training, resources and professional certification to individuals and businesses. FITT’s international business training solutions have become the standard of excellence for global trade professionals across Canada and around the world.

Established in 1992 through a joint initiative of the Canadian government and private sector, FITT is now an authoritative standards body for international trade certification, accreditation and training. FITT’s Certified International Trade Professional – CITP® | FIBP® designation is the standard of excellence for global business practitioners worldwide. As part of the partnership with OWIT-Toronto, FITT is currently offering a 40% discount for OWIT members on all online courses and workshops.

“Cross-border business is complicated, even more-so following the onset of the pandemic and the related supply chain disruption and great resignation. For businesses making the leap into global markets, know-how is survival. Through this partnership, connecting women to the right training to properly address the risks, plan strategically, and avoid costly errors will empower them to become high-performers for their organizations and improve retention. And this is crucial for building export-capable businesses and people worldwide,” said Caroline Tompkins, CITP, President & CEO of FITT

Helen Hemmingsen, Board Director and past President of OWIT-Toronto Chapter, warmly welcomed this collaboration.

“OWIT-Toronto is very pleased to partner with FITT to upskill and advance women’s abilities in global trade. Recognizing that skills development is key to more inclusive international trade, this partnership advancing global business knowledge will support our members to more effectively integrate into global markets,” Hemmingsen said.

“With the dynamism of global trade, upskilled women exporters and service providers will have the ability to reap more benefits from global trade.”

The OWIT-Toronto and FITT partnership will further support women in acquiring practical skills and know-how on the complexities of doing business in respective international markets. Equally to building proficiency and skills in international trade, it provides the opportunity to tap into OWIT-Toronto’s global networks, resources and export education to support businesses going global.

OWIT-Toronto and OWIT members can register to access the 40% off FITTskills online courses and workshops or contact info@owit-toronto.ca for more information. Non-members can sign up to be part of a dynamic world-wide organization advancing women in international trade and take advantage of the robust training offers.

The post FITT partners with OWIT-Toronto to enhance women’s global business skills appeared first on Trade Ready.

Samantha Kussmann has always been intrigued by the interconnectivity of the world’s goods and how countries overcame barriers to trade. This fascination soon grew to become her career path.  She embarked on her journey into international trade upon completion of her undergraduate degree in European Studies and Economics after she returned home from a year abroad in Granada Spain. 

Her next step was doing a post graduate degree in Global Business Management and she subsequently interned with Holt Renfrew in their buying department. It was here that Samantha got interested in focusing her efforts on increasing opportunities for suppliers to connect with large retailers. 

I decided I wanted to work to benefit the suppliers and to enhance their ability to connect to large retailers and began working with the Peruvian Trade Commission in Toronto, ON as a Trade Coordinator.

Coordinating meetings with foreign delegations

Samantha’s most memorable career stories are from the time she was working with various Peruvian exporters and suppliers at trade shows like the Canadian Health Food Association, SIAL, and Expoalimentaria. She particularly enjoyed interacting with the people while coordinating B2B meetings for an Estonian and Croatian delegation, gaining insights into what those countries have to offer the Canadian market. The icing on the cake was accompanying the Prime Minister of Estonia at these events – a career high she is immensely proud of.  

Samantha’s long list of career accomplishments include:

Moving to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania as a Business Lead Advisor for the TLED (Tanzanian Local Enterprise Development) project being implemented within 6 regions of Tanzania to support Micro and Small to Medium Enterprises (MSME’s) in accessing markets within the agribusiness value chain sectors.  

Collaborating with government officials, such as SIDO, TWCC, and TCCIA, as well as international donors such as GAC and private sector stakeholders while providing programmatic support to SMEs receiving services from the $15 mil TLED project.  

Serving as Co-President for the Organization for Women in International Trade (OWIT) from Jan 2019-June 2019) Presenting on trade opportunities in the Canadian retail market to a large audience at Peru’s premier fashion trade-show in April 2017 

Speaking about trade opportunities in the Canadian retail market to a large audience at Peru’s premier fashion tradeshow in April 2017 

Be precise and stay current with the changing regulations

A piece of advice Samantha wishes she had received early on in her career is how important it is to do research and be accurate and specific at all times. Her top tips to those starting out on their professional journey would be to hone communication skills and to make it a habit to verify regulations and procedures, as they are ever-changing. 

Do your research, communicate well and be specific. Double check ever-changing guidelines and regulations, and have fun!

The importance of formalizing trade knowledge and earning a professional designation

For Samantha, taking the FITTskills courses gave her a chance to brush up on her international trade knowledge and Incoterms®. 

“My favourite FITTskills course was International Market Entry Strategies” 

On completion of her FITT Diploma in International Trade, Samantha went on to apply for the elite Certified International Trade Profession (CIITP) designation. There were several reasons that prompted her to earn the industry-backed designation for trade professionals. Firstly, it would establish credibility for her within the international trade community. Secondly, the CITP designation would help her advance her career as employers are increasingly listing it as an asset for many plum roles.  

Last but not the least, it would strengthen her knowledge and confidence to assist businesses going global and with the strategies they need to get there. 

Samantha earned the CITP designation in May 2020.  

“I am very proud to have earned the CITP designation and am excited to place it beside my name on all professional roles.” 

I foresee the CITP designation contributing to further respect and credibility within my career in international trade and supply chain management. I know it will open more doors for me moving forward.

As she builds her business expertise, her knowledge and credentials are sure to prove to be her ladder to success and fulfilment.  

The post CITP Spotlight: Samantha Kussmann, Business Development Manager, Export Development Canada appeared first on Trade Ready.

There are two established pathways to enter global markets:

1. As a supplier to large global companies; and
2. Through the use of innovation and technology to create a unique market or platform for entry into foreign markets.

Either pathway has its own special challenges for women.

Women entrepreneurs often have limited access to resources, especially to financing. This impedes their ability to scale up to meet increased demand, to properly market products or services, and to grow their businesses. In the U.S., for example, women-owned businesses are smaller across most sectors.

Women may also find it more difficult to tap into those informal networks that develop while socializing during lunch or after work. This is why we have been creating our own women-focused referral and support networks. The Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) and similar groups play a huge role in this regard.

When I travel overseas, I’m particularly aware of my physical vulnerability as a woman. As a result, I often sit in my hotel room when I’m not in meetings – unless I can connect with someone safely.

If I’m traveling to a country with an OWIT chapter or virtual member, I can use the network for business referrals and to make the social connections that make me feel safer getting outside of my hotel room for drinks or dinner.

Women face barriers in both emerging economies and developed economies

Women entrepreneurs in emerging economies may face legal, social, and cultural barriers with which women in more developed economies no longer have to contend. In some countries, women still do not have a legal right of ownership of the means of production.

A 2013 study by the Inter-American Development Bank’s Multilateral Investment Fund ranked the best and worst Latin American and Caribbean countries for women entrepreneurs. The rankings were based on risks to and support for women entrepreneurs in these countries. I placed these risk/support factors into three categories:

1. Societal conditions, as manifested in the overall strength of the economy and the degree of political stability, good governance, and absence of corruption.
2. Extent of support for micro and small entrepreneurs (MSMEs), which is how the majority of women entrepreneurs in the region (and most emerging countries) are classified. Is there access to credit, technology and technical support? Does the legal structure recognize and support MSMEs, for example, through minimal barriers to start a business or favourable tax policies?
3. Support for women in business, measured through such factors as the availability of business support organizations and child support/elder care services, the extent of crime and security risks, and the levels of female enrolment in vocational programs.

These barriers are not specific to doing business internationally, but compound the challenges we mentioned above.

A significant number of women in emerging countries are involved in “informal” cross-border trade. For example, the average annual value of informal cross-border trade in the 15 countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is estimated at US$ 17.6 billion.  Seventy percent of SADC cross-border traders are women. “Informal” traders procure or supply goods across borders and sell them on the streets or, when provided, in markets (rather than stores). These traders receive even less recognition and support from the formal economy.

Women in India wait 37% longer on average than men to see the same customs official. In East Africa, women involved in cross-border trade are forced to pay larger bribes than their male counterparts, or to provide sexual favors to border officials who detain them or confiscate their goods.

Banks rarely cater to their needs and they have limited access to formal credit. They may operate in unsafe environments that lack such basic facilities as proper lighting, adequate bathroom facilities, or proper storage for their goods.

Given the right conditions and support, why shouldn’t some of these women traders be able to set up storefronts in the countries in which they currently operate?

Richard Sears was a railroad station agent when he began selling watches to other station agents on the side. From his profits, he began the R.W. Sears Watch Company in 1886. Today, Sears & Roebuck is a major American retail operation with divisions in Canada and Mexico. His story is a great example of how a small business can grow exponentially by entering national and international markets.

Women entrepreneurs in developed economies tend to be less internationally oriented than their counterparts in emerging, less-developed economies. These women are more prone to focus on their large domestic market. In the United States, for example, only about 7% of women entrepreneurs are involved in international trade. Meanwhile, the average receipts for U.S. women-owned exporting firms were $14.5 million, whereas the average receipts for women-owned non-exporting firms were only $117,036.

It’s also important to realize that it is no longer possible to ignore global markets. This is where a company may find not only its next customer, but its next competitor.

Progress is being made slowly but surely

Companies have begun to value women-owned businesses (WOBs) as suppliers and are seeking them out – this is the best example of progress to date. Large global companies are establishing their own supplier diversity programs with the goal of integrating WOBs. The current challenge being addressed is how to make the connection between these companies and WOBs.

To address that challenge, the emerging model works to connect women entrepreneurs directly to global companies and their supply chains.

WEConnect International, for example, recruits women-owned businesses to join as members in the countries where they operate (outside of the U.S.). They then provide training and certification to groom them as certified suppliers to the corporate members who are part of the WEConnect network.

SheTrades has also been developed by the International Trade Centre as a web-based application to make WOBs visible to global buyers and to each other. Both models are still works in progress but provide key opportunities, particularly to small companies.

The post Female entrepreneurs face their own challenges in global trade – but it’s not all bad news appeared first on Trade Ready.

The goal of gender equality in trade policy formulation is to anticipate the unequal impact of trade policy and trade commitments across gender – to minimize the negative consequences and maximize positive outcomes.

Where does trade policy formulation and gender equality development intersect?

An effective trade policy articulates the role of trade in achieving a country’s national economic and development strategy. Ideally, the country’s national economic and development strategy incorporates goals of inclusive economic growth and prosperity for all of their citizens.

These goals should then be used to inform all aspects of the countries’ policies, including trade policy formulation and implementation. So, the intersection begins with having the goal of gender equality clearly enunciated in the country’s development strategy.

Secondly, while trade policy formulation begins with the state, civil society participation is an essential component of the process. It helps to determine and give voice to the goals and needs of the population and brings accountability to the process. Civil society participation is key to advancing pro-development goals in trade policy formulation.

Accordingly, a gender-sensitive approach to stakeholder selection during civil society participation is another key point of intersection. This means identifying men and women as distinct categories of stakeholders.

This approach will support the collection of gender-sensitive anecdotal and other pieces of data. For example, what are the relevant issues that face men and women as distinct categories of stakeholders?

Collecting and analyzing data from a gender perspective will help us find out if there are ways in which men or women will be disproportionately affected, positively or negatively, by proposed policies and their implementation.

Let me give an example:

Trade liberalization is a strong component of most countries’ trade policy. The policymakers might further decide that this commitment requires lowering tariffs on those goods most in demand by business owners. In the United States, 6 in 10 women-owned businesses are found in four sectors. Salons for hair, nails, and pets account for 22% of women-owned businesses in the country.

Trade liberalization of tariff rates for imported shampoos and hair-styling products used in the salon industry would have a disproportionate impact on women owners and workers. Understanding and taking decisions on trade policy in light of this reality is a simple example of collecting and using a gender-sensitive approach to shape trade policy.

Trade liberalization is just one step in the right direction

Policies that liberalize trade can have both a direct, or more indirect, impact on women, and it is worth exploring these effects in light of ongoing debate surrounding free trade and protectionist ideals.

Let’s start with some obvious benefits – reduced or eliminated tariffs generally get translated into lower prices on consumer goods. And trade facilitation is aimed at reducing the time and costs of moving goods from Point A to B, creating more savings that can be passed onto the consumer.

As a result of trade liberalization, most women can now select from a wider range of goods at more affordable prices when shopping for themselves and their families. And we know that women are the primary buyers in the majority of households.

There are concerns expressed about whether trade liberalization leads to a proliferation of low quality, shoddy goods masquerading as “consumer choice”. I think most women would prefer to be able to buy something, than nothing at all.

But undoubtedly, trade liberalization needs to be accompanied by heightened consumer protection – a regulatory environment and agency with real teeth!

A look at the impact of trade liberalization on jobs and income shows more nuanced results. Studies, which have focused on developing countries, have found that trade tends to create jobs for women in export-oriented economies.

At the same time, these jobs tend to be lower-skilled and lower-waged, most notably in the textile sector. This disparity is the result of less access by women to the time and resources they need to be trained to assume more skilled roles.

Finally, in the area of entrepreneurial activity, the results are abysmal. The same factors that hold women back in the domestic economy make it difficult for them to take advantage of opportunities created by trade liberalization, whether in the export or domestic market.

These limitations include, less time, less access to resources, as well as to the financing they need to grow from subsistence activity or even to enter into business at all.

Gender issues in global business are starting to be addressed

I see more reports and studies coming out on this issue, which remains under-researched.

The International Trade Center, whose mission includes the provision of solutions to support the growth of exports from developing economies, has developed a series titled, “Case Story on Gender Dimension of Aid for Trade.”

Organizations like the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD) are also doing more work in this area. The World Customs Organization (WCO) held a conference in 2013 to examine “informal” cross-border trade.

I also think that the growing number of women-centered international and regional networks is a big plus. Some, like WEConnect International, are focused on supporting women entrepreneurs to enter into global markets.

Others, like the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT), provide education and support for women involved in international business and trade.

So, how can we as individuals support women in global business?

We can buy from each other; refer business to each other; and support companies that buy from and promote women-owned businesses and women entrepreneurs.

The post Trade liberalization has a unique effect on women in global business appeared first on Trade Ready.

An interesting topic came up during April’s #TradeElite chat on the future of agriculture – women’s roles in the global value chain and the unique challenges they face worldwide. We decided this was a major topic for discussion, well worth investigating further.

To do that, we rounded up some of the most influential voices we could find who are not only experts on the topic, but who deal with women’s issues, working to improve their lives daily.

We were thrilled at the interest we received and what followed was a fascinating discussion with some of the most insightful responses you will see in 140 characters. At FITT, we’re not done exploring this important topic, but for now, enjoy the recap of our Twitter chat below.

Moderator: Clarecia Christie, CITP|FIBP (@ClareciaChriste), Project Manager and Team Lead, Trade Information Services at Trade Facilitation Office of Canada, based out of Ottawa, Ontario.

Panelists:

Vanessa Erogbogbo (@VErogbogbo), Head of Programme at the International Trade Centre, based in Geneva, Switzerland

Kara Klassen (@KaraKlassen), Project Manager, Women’s Economic Opportunities at Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), based in Kitchener, Ontario

Idalia Obregon (@Idalia_Obregon), Executive Director at Belgian Canadian Business Chamber, based in Toronto, Ontario

Leah Goold-Haws (@LeahGlobal), Director, Global Trade & Logistics at Long Beach City College and Founder of Girls Gone Global, based in Los Angeles, California

Andrea Ewart (@developtradelaw), International Trade Attorney & Consultant at DevelopTradeLaw, LLC and President of Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT), based in Washington, D.C.

A1: Business owned by women grow faster, and generate 3 times more jobs compared to non-minority businesses owned #TradeElite

— Idalia Obregon (@idalia_obregon) June 2, 2016

What are some of the biggest challenges women face in the global value chain workforce around the world?

A2. Women lack good role models within communities, & can’t always access opportunities to reach participation in #GBV itself. #tradeelite

— Kara Klassen (@karaklassen) June 2, 2016

we want to see those numbers go up #tradeelite https://t.co/2R9B3NBNpx

— Caroline Tompkins (@carolineFITT) June 2, 2016

How are gender inequalities around the world affecting women’s roles in the GVC?

A3: As women gain access to greater roles/pay we can reach out to women globally and lift all ships. This is best path 2 change #tradeelite

— Leah Goold-Haws (@LeahGlobal) June 2, 2016

A2. Gender inequality written in law 90% of countries at least 1 legal barrier @WorldBank women biz law #TradeElite https://t.co/D7vbSyCWU7

— vanessa erogbogbo (@verogbogbo) June 2, 2016

A3. In developing nations women are primary for “chores”. Even in Cda it’s not 50/50 yet. That’s a huge burden. #TradeElite

— audrey ross (@tresAudrey) June 2, 2016

What market access opportunities exist for women in global value chains today?

What tools are in place to inform women of opportunities along a company’s value chain(s)?

@jennmuch freed up resources can fill gaps and provide access to rural areas #tradeelite

— Caroline Tompkins (@carolineFITT) June 2, 2016

Do you think businesses should be incentivised to include women in their GVC or should it be a CSR tool?

Q8: CSR is a great incentive, especially if combined with women buying power. We’ll buy from you because you buy from women #TradeElite

— Andrea Ewart (@developtradelaw) June 2, 2016

What are some of the risks for women in businesses new to accessing GVCs?

A9. Being over-charged. Not negotiating or questioning prices & services. Push back! Don’t accept 2nd best #TradeElite

— audrey ross (@tresAudrey) June 2, 2016

Read the rest of the chat and follow future discussions by following the #TradeElite hashtag.

Stay tuned for the next #TradeElite chat, coming up Thursday, July 7 at 2:30-3:30PM ET.

The post What are the opportunities, challenges and issues women face in the global value chain? appeared first on Trade Ready.