📌 Problem: Many Pakistani exporters start without a structured business plan and fail to define their target markets, pricing, and marketing strategies.
✅ Solution: Create a detailed export business plan that includes:
✔️ Product selection
✔️ Target country research
✔️ Pricing strategy
✔️ Supply chain planning
📌 Problem: Many businesses export without understanding buyer demand, customs policies, or competitor pricing.
✅ Solution: Conduct market research using:
✔️ Google Trends
✔️ Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) reports
✔️ Competitor analysis on Alibaba & LinkedIn
📌 Problem: Many startups pick low-demand, unprofitable, or seasonal products that fail in international markets.
✅ Solution: Choose high-demand products like:
✔️ Sports goods (FIFA-approved footballs, cricket bats)
✔️ Textiles (Bedsheets, hoodies, denim)
✔️ Surgical instruments
📌 Problem: Exporters target too many countries at once without understanding market regulations.
✅ Solution: Start with 1-2 countries where demand is high (e.g., USA, UK, UAE) and expand later.
📌 Problem: Many startups don’t understand LCs, Incoterms, or customs procedures.
✅ Solution: Learn export documentation through:
✔️ Online courses (Udemy, TDAP)
✔️ Government export training
📌 Problem: Many Pakistani exporters cut costs by using poor materials, leading to buyer complaints and returns.
✅ Solution: Maintain consistent product quality and certify products (ISO, CE, FDA).
📌 Problem: Many startups choose the cheapest suppliers, leading to delays and poor quality.
✅ Solution: Work with verified manufacturers and visit factories before finalizing deals.
📌 Problem: Buyers return faulty or defective products, causing huge financial losses.
✅ Solution: Implement strict quality checks before shipping.
📌 Problem: Many exporters ignore LinkedIn, missing high-quality buyers.
✅ Solution: Create a professional LinkedIn profile, post content, and connect with buyers.
📌 Problem: Many startups don’t register on Alibaba, Tradekey, and Global Sources.
✅ Solution: List products on at least 5 B2B platforms to get buyer inquiries.
📌 Problem: Buyers reject Pakistani exporters due to bad grammar and poor email writing.
✅ Solution: Improve business English with free courses on Coursera & Udemy.
📌 Problem: Many startups wait for buyers to come instead of proactively reaching out.
✅ Solution: Send personalized emails to at least 50 buyers daily using:
✔️ LinkedIn Sales Navigator
✔️ Importer directories
📌 Problem: Many exporters only rely on B2B marketplaces and ignore Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
✅ Solution: Use Instagram & Facebook Ads to attract foreign buyers.
📌 Problem: Many exporters price products incorrectly, leading to lost deals.
✅ Solution: Research competitor pricing and offer bulk discounts for B2B deals.
📌 Problem: Many startups ship products without receiving full payment, leading to fraud and losses.
✅ Solution: Always take 50% advance payment before production.
📌 Problem: Many businesses use risky payment methods, leading to scams.
✅ Solution: Use LC (Letter of Credit) and TT (Telegraphic Transfer) for safety.
📌 Problem: Many exporters don’t know about Incoterms (FOB, CIF, EXW), leading to high shipping costs.
✅ Solution: Learn about freight forwarding and negotiate better rates.
📌 Problem: Many startups use air freight for all shipments, making products too expensive.
✅ Solution: Use sea freight for bulk orders to reduce costs.
📌 Problem: Many startups operate informally, making them ineligible for government incentives.
✅ Solution: Register with FBR, SECP, and TDAP to get legal status.
📌 Problem: Many exporters fail to check import duties in target countries.
✅ Solution: Use export.gov to check tariffs before shipping.
🔹 Top 5 Ways to Avoid Failure:
✅ Learn market research & product selection.
✅ Use LinkedIn & B2B platforms to find buyers.
✅ Focus on pricing, payment security & quality control.
✅ Improve business English & negotiation skills.
✅ Work with trusted suppliers & logistics partners.
🚀 Want to start a successful export business? Apply these solutions and secure your first B2B client today!