© Handwerkskammer für München und Oberbayern, Max-Joseph-Straße 4, München Dietmar Schneider Foreign Trade Department of the Chamber of Trade and Crafts for Munich and Upper Bavaria Ljubljana, 22. May 2014 Are you fit for export business? - a Checklist -

© Handwerkskammer für München und Oberbayern, Max-Joseph-Straße 4, München Check first - then start! …and be prapared! What are the aspects to be checked before starting business abroad? What are the questions to be answered before? strategy and motivation, target country company structure, operational requirements, employees, sales product and/or service financing and payment conditions, extra costs governmental (or other) support, need for experts(?) contacts and business partners

© Handwerkskammer für München und Oberbayern, Max-Joseph-Straße 4, München reasons for a company, to do business abroad? you have a concrete order weak economical- / business-situation in Slovenia too many competitors in Slovenia lower costs of production in other countries unused capacities in own company options for an engagement in foreign countries „just“ sale / export of goods and/or services cooperation with foreign business partner establishment of an own office / business location (investment)

© Handwerkskammer für München und Oberbayern, Max-Joseph-Straße 4, München what‘s the advantage of the country / countries you choose? higher price level for selling own products / services regional distance existing market niche for your product / offer well established distribution channels and contacts to the respective region lower price level for production abroad which countries? only neighbouring countries, EU-countries in general, eastern Europe, North-/South-Amerika, Asia, Africa

© Handwerkskammer für München und Oberbayern, Max-Joseph-Straße 4, München information about cultural and political disparities in the contry aimed for daily newspapers / news / internet friends and relatives / business contacts beeing there! (e.g. trade fairs) consulting and support contact points (chambers) the situation in the target country market volume, changes in market, competitors prices of competitors, prices in retail and whole sale costs for customs, sales-costs, costs of storage, costs of promotion

© Handwerkskammer für München und Oberbayern, Max-Joseph-Straße 4, München What‘s your core business? delivery of services just production of goods sale of products including services are you offering services in a restricted / regulated business field? is there any specific requirements? do you need any permissions, certifications, examination etc.? is your qualification accepted in foreign countries?

© Handwerkskammer für München und Oberbayern, Max-Joseph-Straße 4, München Who is your main customers? just „b2b“ / companies private customers public sector / procurement some advantages in competitiveness in other countries? only few competitors product quality innovative product or service quality in service low prices

© Handwerkskammer für München und Oberbayern, Max-Joseph-Straße 4, München Are you already experienced in foreign trade business? Have some of your employees been involved in working abroad? Do you or some of your employees speak English or any other foreign language? Who would be the person responsible for legal issues in connection with your foreign business? you as company owner some own employee lawyer / tax advisor / other external expert

© Handwerkskammer für München und Oberbayern, Max-Joseph-Straße 4, München are you prepared to make financial investments, that pay back but in some years? can your core- / local-business go on without any problems or complicacy, if the boss or some managing staff is missing for days? are your employees ready and eager for working abroad, even if it may be for longer time? is there any structural changes planned within the next 5-10 years within the management of your company? how much time can you spend daily for foreign trade business?

© Handwerkskammer für München und Oberbayern, Max-Joseph-Straße 4, München... and many many more questions... …because every case is different... Foreign trade business is nothing you have to do on your own! …make use of the support services offered by your local business agency or chamber…