Businesses can now connect with thousands of additional freight forwarders across more than 150 markets, enabling exporters to identify competitive logistics services that match their specific needs.
Through a new partnership with the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), the International Trade Centre (ITC) has integrated freight forwarder information directly into its Global Trade Helpdesk, strengthening the platform’s logistics component and improving access to more reliable service provider data.
“Using this multi-agency global platform, firms can assess economic attractiveness, evaluate market entry costs and regulations, identify niche markets and digital trade opportunities, and connect with key partners, including this new community of freight forwarders,” the ITC said.
The ITC underscored the importance of efficient logistics management as a strategic tool that helps maintain competitive pricing, ensures timely delivery, reduces risk, and lowers barriers to international market entry.
This as transport costs and logistics are often among the largest and least predictable components of cross-border trade, typically representing 10 percent to 25 percent of total supply chain expenses for small exporters.
Julia Spies, chief of Trade and Market Intelligence at ITC, said this practical data on freight forwarders is a strong complement towards firms putting their data-driven export strategies into action.
“By integrating the international freight forwarding community into the Global Trade Helpdesk, we are helping small and medium-sized enterprises move from identifying opportunities to delivering on them, with greater transparency, stronger partnerships, and improved access to global markets. This significantly enhances the visibility and value of professional trusted freight forwarders worldwide,” FIATA Director General Stéphane Graber said.
The Global Trade Helpdesk (https://globaltradehelpdesk.org/) is an integrated digital platform that helps firms of all sizes identify promising export markets and understand what it takes to succeed in them.
The strategic market overview provides firms with easy access to import data; forecasts of export potential; tariffs, trade agreements and rules of origin; regulatory requirements; export and import procedures; information on relevant e-commerce marketplaces, de minimis values and digital payment methods; and contact details for potential buyers, trade finances providers, logistics services and other support services.
