The Polish Chamber of Commerce (KIG) and Amazon have launched a joint project called Cross-border.pl to facilitate cross-border e-commerce for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Despite the EU Single Market creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs, Polish e-sellers only accounted for 4% of the €105.5 billion in total turnover generated by European online stores in 2022. The main barriers to Polish e-entrepreneurs expanding internationally were a lack of knowledge and concerns about unfamiliar foreign business environments. Cross-border.pl aims to address these issues by providing exclusive access to a foreign market search engine in Poland, along with up-to-date information on development opportunities in cross-border e-commerce. Here are four ways that Cross-border.pl can help Polish SMEs:
1. Facilitating the discovery of international markets
Cross-border.pl provides SMEs with an easily accessible guide for choosing the right expansion direction and development path in online channels.
2. Enabling an e-commerce export readiness audit
The portal collects valuable tips and information, allowing entrepreneurs to take a test of readiness to venture into cross-border e-commerce.
3. Providing information on the export potential of target countries
Cross-border.pl serves as a comprehensive educational platform providing up-to-date information on key economic and e-commerce indicators across Europe, as well as essential tips and information on payment and delivery methods, local consumer buying habits and preferences, and an overview of thriving e-commerce sectors.
4. Fostering knowledge sharing and facilitating B2B collaboration
The portal provides SMEs with answers to frequently asked questions about cross-border e-commerce, eliminates the need for extensive research on the part of entrepreneurs, and saves them the arduous task of navigating local e-commerce regulations and market policies.
Cross-border.pl was officially launched on 5he June 2023, during the Global Check-In Conference, organized by the Polish Chamber of Commerce and held under the patronage of the Ministry of Finance, the Polish Agency for Business Development, and the Polish Investment and Trade Agency. The EU Single Market has revealed a wealth of opportunities for SMEs, and e-commerce serves as a tool through which Polish entrepreneurs can unlock their export potential, thus boosting economic growth across Europe.
Expanding on the topic, it’s important to note that cross-border e-commerce can be a powerful tool for SMEs looking to expand their customer base beyond their domestic market. However, it also presents unique challenges, such as navigating different languages, cultural norms, and regulatory requirements. To succeed in cross-border e-commerce, businesses must be willing to invest time and resources in understanding the intricacies of each new market they enter. This includes conducting extensive market research, developing localized marketing campaigns, and ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations.
One way that SMEs can overcome these challenges is by partnering with specialized service providers, such as logistics companies or payment gateway providers, that have a deep understanding of the local market. These providers can offer guidance and support on navigating local regulations, customs clearance procedures, and payment methods, as well as providing access to localized marketing channels and customer insights.
Another key factor in the success of cross-border e-commerce is building trust with customers in new markets. This can be achieved through offering localized payment and delivery options, providing clear and transparent pricing and return policies, and offering excellent customer service in the local language. Investing in localized customer service can be particularly important for building trust and driving customer loyalty in new markets.
In conclusion, cross-border e-commerce represents a significant opportunity for SMEs to expand their customer base beyond their domestic market. However, it also presents unique challenges that require investment in time, resources, and specialized expertise to overcome. By partnering with specialized service providers, investing in localized marketing and customer service, and building trust with customers in new markets, SMEs can successfully expand their online presence and unlock their export potential.
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He transborder.pl The project, jointly led by the Polish Chamber of Commerce (KIG) and Amazon, aims to foster cross-border e-commerce and help SMEs select the appropriate international expansion channels and destinations.
The EU Single Market has created new prospects for entrepreneurs, with SMEs spearheading Europe’s economic growth through their international efforts. However, despite the fact that European online stores generate a total turnover of 105.5 billion euros in 2022, Polish e-sellers accounted for only 4% of this figure. The most commonly reported barriers hindering Polish e-entrepreneurs in their international expansion were lack of proper knowledge and concerns stemming from unfamiliarity with foreign business environments. In response to these challenges, the Polish Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Amazon, has taken the initiative to launch a portal that equips SMEs with the necessary experience and knowledge to facilitate their development in other countries.
Here are four ways Cross-border.pl can help Polish SMEs:
1. Facilitates the discovery of international markets
According to a 2022 report by Polityka Insight and Amazon, the main obstacles to using online channels for export activities are mainly related to choosing the right market and adapting sales policies to local consumers.
“The number of Polish e-entrepreneurs engaged in exporting is disproportionately low compared to the profits their businesses can earn from e-commerce sales abroad. Cross-border.pl addresses this disparity by providing SMEs with exclusive access to the only foreign market search engine in Poland. In addition, it offers an up-to-date compendium of practical knowledge on development opportunities in cross-border e-commerce”. According to Aleksandra Borycka, Director of Marketplace Amazon.pl, Cross-border.pl serves as a solution to the biggest concerns of entrepreneurs and equips them with an easily accessible guide for choosing the right expansion direction and development path in the online channels.
2. Enable an ecommerce export readiness audit
The main objective of the new platform is to equip entrepreneurs with practical knowledge on the various stages of cross-border e-commerce, including export preparation, strategy development and selection of sales channels, including online marketplaces. The portal collects valuable tips and information, allowing entrepreneurs to take a test of readiness to venture into cross-border e-commerce. This assessment tool provides sellers with a useful resource that paves the way for their international expansion.
“Until now, the share of online trade in Polish exports has remained disproportionately low, and Polish companies fail to tap this potential for various reasons. By identifying the main barriers, including lack of experience and concern about venturing into unfamiliar markets, the Polish Chamber of Commerce has developed a comprehensive solution. Cross-border.pl gives Polish companies with significant export potential access to unique insights crucial to scaling their business through e-commerce channels,” says Karolina Opielewicz, Board Member of the Polish Chamber of Commerce .
3. Provides information on the export potential of the target countries
The central concept behind Cross-border.pl is to foster the development of digital skills and revitalize the export activities of Polish entrepreneurs, ultimately enhancing innovation and strengthening the global competitiveness of Polish SMEs. This mission aligns perfectly with the objectives of the European Year of Skills 2023, as proclaimed by the European Commission.
“Amazon and the European Commission share a collective vision for advancing the EU in digital transformation and strengthening its single market. Since SMEs, the main focus of Cross-border.pl, make up about 99% of all companies in the EU, it is our duty to equip them with tools and technologies that facilitate the expansion of their sales in the field of e-commerce” . says Benedikt Berlemann, General Manager, EU Market Expansion at Amazon.
“We provide constant support to e-sellers through extensive national initiatives, such as those carried out in collaboration with the Polish Chamber of Commerce. In addition, we offer our own programs, including the Amazon Small Business Accelerator and the European Expansion Accelerator, which foster growth across Amazon’s nine stores in Europe, giving customers access to a wide variety of products. Since 2010, our investments in the development of European SMEs have exceeded 142,000 million euros and we remain firm in our commitment to participate in projects that safeguard Europe’s technological competitiveness”.
Cross-border.pl serves as a comprehensive educational platform providing up-to-date information on key economic and e-commerce indicators across Europe. In addition, it offers essential tips and information for e-merchants, covering popular payment and delivery methods, local consumer buying habits and preferences, and an overview of thriving e-commerce sectors. The portal community is made up of cross-border e-commerce experts, along with SMEs that are actively seeking opportunities for e-commerce development.
4. Foster knowledge sharing and facilitate B2B collaboration
“The innovative nature of the portal lies in its ability to consolidate answers to the most frequently asked questions that arise when entrepreneurs venture into cross-border e-commerce, such as the selection of optimal export destinations and appropriate markets. Furthermore, Cross-border.pl goes further by providing information on alternative strategies, including the potential benefits of setting up your own online store. This readily available source of knowledge eliminates the need for extensive research on the part of entrepreneurs, saving them the arduous task of navigating local e-commerce regulations and market policies,” says Damian Wiszowaty, CEO of the trade agency Gonito electronic.
The EU Single Market has revealed a wealth of opportunities for SMEs, and e-commerce serves as a tool through which Polish entrepreneurs can unlock their export potential, thus boosting economic growth across Europe.
Cross-border.pl was officially launched on 5he June 2023, during the Global Check-In Conference, organized by the Polish Chamber of Commerce and held under the patronage of the Ministry of Finance, the Polish Agency for Business Development and the Polish Investment and Trade Agency.
For more information visit www.cross-border.pl
https://www.aboutamazon.eu/news/empowering-small-business/cross-border-pl-facilitating-exports-for-polish-smes
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