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Concept Presentation

William Hoyle

Chief Executive

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Our MissionTrade4all is a newly registered UK charity.

Our mission is ‘to bring small scale producers out of poverty by transforming their ability to trade with local, regional, national and international markets'

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Context• Traders have always had to make decisions about when and where to sell.

• Historically, particularly for small producers (farmers, fishing communities and rural artisans), these decisions were not complicated, however markets are changing and small scale enterprises need to be equipped with the tools to reduce their risks and increase their income

• The potential impact of ICT is enormous and applications such as mobile based MIS systems and mobile money systems offer real opportunities to improve the trading capabilities of small producers.

• However, ICT is not in itself the solution, but an enabler that can support and enhance trade development initiatives.

• The development of market capability is a growing focus for NGO's working to alleviate poverty through trade.

‘Poor people often lack access to information that is vital to their lives and livelihoods, including weather reports, market information and income-earning opportunities.’ UN Information Economy Report 2010

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What’s already happening?

A range of non-profit and commercial providers offering discrete and country specific service (with some notable exceptions!):

• Market Information Services

• Trading Sites

• Payments

• Financing

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How will Trade4all work?

Trade4all Hub

Market Information

Trading website

Payments facilities

Short term finance

Trade4all will provide a system that delivers the following capabilities for use by small scale producers with assistance and support from local agencies:

Access to market/trade information, probably via a simple sms interface.

A trading site that links national and international buyers and sellers and enables deals to be struck.

A payments facility that ensures that the price agreed is the price paid.

Access to short term small scale trade credit to bridge the sale to settlement cycle.

Most importantly Trade4all will use ‘live’ trade data to support information sharing and credit provision

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The advantage of our proposed approach

The Trade4all concept could offer an international hub which integrates local/regional and international services to support an 'in country' trading ecosystem which can be used by local agencies that are working with small scale producers to develop national and export markets.

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Potential Benefits Independent specialist provider of the enabling processes

and technology adapting to changes in technology and regulation

Focus on replication of the model on an international basis to reduce costs and duplication

Supporting local leadership responsible for management of the in-country/ in region eco-system by exchanging ideas on innovation, learning and best practice

Creating and managing a sustainable model for the ongoing operation of the Trade4all network thus reducing reliance on grant funding in the medium to long term

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Current Status After a period of background research, we are now seeking to

work with potential partners in specific countries to pilot the Trade4all concept in a small number of different settings.

The pilots will be funded by Trade4all and will not rely on additional fundraising.

The pilot scope will involve the implementation and operation of the Trade4all platform within the partner’s existing programme. It’s anticipated that the pilot will run for 12-24 months.

The projects will test the model for partnership; take-up and usage and the possibility of achieving sustainable long term operation.

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Pilot Partners Likely partners will most probably be organisations working with small scale

producers to:

Provide access to agro-inputs (seeds etc.)

Develop co-operative strategies for aggregation of produce to improve income opportunities

Offer loans to finance investment and working capital

Provide certification services to establish quality and therefore likely market price

Give advice, information and extension services

Offer warehousing to enable crop storage

Build new marketing channels

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For more information about Trade4all:

Contact:William HoyleChief ExecutiveWilliam.hoyle@trade4all.org