Upgrading your company towards international standards
George Boateng, a consultant for MSM, led the fourth module on upgrading SMEs to international standards. The module introduced participants to key issues around the investment readiness of SMEs, export mindset and export capability development, and market expansion under the EPAs to provide a holistic approach to upgrading a company’s operations and propelling its success in global markets.
Strategies for SMEs Expanding into Overseas Markets
The module explored how SMEs in the chocolate and horticulture sectors can expand into overseas markets, emphasizing the growth opportunities available internationally. Key points included guiding SMEs to leverage preferential trade agreements, such as the European Partnership Agreement (EPA), to improve trading conditions. Participants received guidance on preparing for exports under the EPA, which included understanding rules of origin, complying with Ghanaian and EU laws, and maintaining high safety standards. The facilitator encouraged SMEs to adopt an export-oriented mindset, assess their readiness by identifying suitable products for target markets, enhance production capacity as needed, develop export skills, and secure financial resources for exporting. They learned to create personalized export strategies covering cultural issues and preferences, logistics, packaging, pricing, partnerships, and technical and regulatory compliance. The module also discussed how SMEs can attract investments using an investor readiness framework to support their international expansion efforts.
A tailored approach for horticultural and cocoa SMEs
The course combined theory, open discussions, and individual assignments focused on equipping participants with strategies to navigate overseas markets. SMEs in the training primarily focus on the horticultural and cocoa industries, specializing in activities such as chocolate production, vegetable cultivation, and organic farming. In addition to the interactive face-to-face training sessions, participants had the option to schedule individual coaching sessions. George Boateng was available for one-on-one meetings upon request, where participants could customize information for their respective companies and develop action plans to enhance their export drive.
Up next
The fourth module, Upgrading to International Standards, followed the modules on Exporting to African Markets, Agribusiness Marketing, and Value Chain Analysis for Strategy. The fifth module, scheduled for August, will focus on access to finance.
This Tailor-Made-Training is a joint initiative by four organizations: the Ghana Netherlands Business and Culture Council (GNBCC), the Cocoa Value Addition Artisans Association of Ghana (COVAAAGH), The Africa Trade Academy (ATA) and Maastricht School of Management (MSM). The trainers are from MSM and the ATA in Ghana.
Photo: GNBCC
Orange Knowledge Programme
This Tailor-Made-Training is part of the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) which is funded by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and managed by Nuffic. For more information click here.
MSM's Expert Centre on Emerging Economies
This project is part of MSM's Expert Centre on Emerging Economies. The department is an expert centre on local economic development in emerging and developing markets. We capacitate managers and professionals from government, private sector, NGOs, and post-secondary education in Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Latin America. We offer consultancy and customized training programs, and we manage complex projects in key sectors, e.g. water, agriculture and health. For more information click here.
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