Bhutanese exporters need to become more aggressive and start taking initiatives, suggests a marketing specialist.
Bhutanese exporters wait for market to come to them rather then going to the market, said marketing specialist of Renewable Natural Resources (SNV), Grant Vinning.
While many Indian and Bangladeshi importers came to Bhutan to buy Bhutanese products, efforts by Bhutanese in other direction were not up to mark.
Many exporters did not take extra initiatives to explore best potential market.
Businessmen and exporters agree that concept of marketing was poor in country.
Marketing of Bhutanese products in other countries has been erratic, said Tashi Wangchuk, Assistant Secretary of Bhutan Exporters Association.
This association has been facilitating exporters by helping with formalities but has not undertaken broader function of exploring potential markets for Bhutanese products.
Many Bhutanese exporters depend on their distributors to do marketing for their products.
Greenwood Manufacturing Corporation in Phuentsholing exports mainly plywood and block-wood to India and has about five distributors in commercial cities in India.
Without any base office in India, distributors were the only bridge between company and ultimate consumers.
Bhutan had export potential for agriculture and food products, natural herbal products and handicrafts among others, according to Vinning.
About 20 exporters and potential exporters attended a four-day training on export marketing skills, which ended yesterday in Phuentsholing.
marketing@alchempro.com
