Is International Trade in Favour of Small Businesses?

By Ranmalee Nanayakkara

International trade can be a great way for small businesses to grow and expand their reach. By selling their products or services to customers in other countries, small businesses can tap into new markets and generate new revenue.

Sri Lanka is a small island nation with a population of over 22 million people. The country has a long history of international trade, dating back to the ancient Silk Road. In recent years, Sri Lanka has made significant progress in liberalizing its economy and opening it up to foreign investment. This has created new opportunities for small businesses to export their products and services to international markets.

There are a number of benefits that international trade can offer small businesses in Sri Lanka. These include:

• Increased sales and revenue: Selling your products or services in new markets can help you reach a wider audience and increase your sales and revenue. For example, the Sri Lankan tea industry has benefited greatly from international trade. Sri Lanka is now the world’s fourth largest exporter of tea, and tea exports account for around 10% of the country’s total exports.

• Diversified income: By selling your products or services in multiple markets, you can reduce your risk of relying on a single market. This can be especially important for small businesses that are vulnerable to economic downturns or natural disasters. For example, the Sri Lankan garment industry has benefited from diversifying its exports. In addition to exporting to traditional markets such as the United States and Europe, the Sri Lankan garment industry has also been able to export to new markets such as China and India.

• Access to new technologies and ideas: Trading with other countries can give you access to new technologies and ideas that can help you improve your business. For example, the Sri Lankan IT industry has benefited from access to new technologies and ideas from the United States and Europe. Sri Lanka is now home to a number of successful IT companies, such as CodeGen Solutions and Virtusa.

• Increased competition: Competition can help you improve your products or services and become more efficient. For example, the Sri Lankan tourism industry has benefited from increased competition from other countries in the region. This has forced Sri Lankan tourism businesses to improve their products and services in order to compete.

• Increased brand awareness: Selling your products or services in new markets can help you increase brand awareness and build a reputation for quality. For example, the Sri Lankan spice industry has benefited from increased brand awareness. Sri Lankan spices are now considered to be some of the best in the world.

However, there are also some challenges that small businesses in Sri Lanka may face when engaging in international trade. These challenges include:

• Lack of knowledge about international markets: Small businesses may lack the knowledge and expertise necessary to successfully trade internationally.

• High costs of exporting: The costs of exporting can be high, including the cost of shipping, tariffs, and other fees.

• Language barriers: Language barriers can make it difficult to communicate with customers and partners in other countries.

• Cultural differences: Cultural differences can make it difficult to do business in other countries.

Despite these challenges, international trade can be a great way for small businesses in Sri Lanka to grow and succeed. By carefully planning and managing their risks, small businesses can reap the many benefits that international trade has to offer.

Following are some tips for small businesses in Sri Lanka who are considering engaging in international trade:

• Do your research: Before you start exporting, it’s important to do your research and learn as much as you can about the international markets you are interested in. This includes understanding the culture, the market, and the competition.

• Partner with a trade expert: There are several trade experts who can help small businesses navigate the challenges of international trade. These experts can provide guidance on everything from market research to logistics.

• Start small: Don’t try to do too much too soon. Start by exporting to a few select markets and gradually expand your reach as you gain experience.

• Be patient: It takes time to build a successful export business. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Just keep working hard and eventually you will succeed.

Overall, while international trade can offer opportunities for small businesses to expand and thrive, it also presents challenges that need to be carefully managed. Government support, access to information, and strategic planning are crucial to help small businesses benefit from international trade.

The views and opinions expressed in articles submitted to the Comparative Advantage Blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Moot Court Bench.