The exporter can make use of the following sources of information to locate prospective customers:

• Trade directories/journals. The various offices of DGCI&S, lIFT , ITPO collect journals, trade directories and other publications which can help in locating prospective foreign buyers. Housing the most extensive collection of trade directories, ITPO has also set up a Trade Information Centre at its headquarters in New Delhi which is considered the best source of information on exporting and importing.

• Organizations/institutions. The organizations and other bodies listed below help exporters locate foreign buyers. Many addresses are provided in Appendix I.
  • Export Promotion Councils
  • DGCI&S
  • Trading corporations
  • Trade representatives
  • Foreign banks
  • National banks .
  • International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO
  • United Nations Industrial Development Organization
  • Chambers of commerce/trade associations
  • Import promotion Institutions
  • Trade Point in Ministry of Commerce
  • National Centre for Trade Information


• International trade fairs and exhibitions. Many foreign buyers can be identified by visiting and participating in trade fairs and exhibitions in India and abroad.


• Embassies and consulates of other countries.


• International Trade Resource and Data Exchange (I-TRADE). I-TRADE is a comprehensive, user-friendly clearing house for trade-related information, leads and sources. It provides SMEs with access to current trade leads at a reasonable cost. Information on and from I-TRADE can be accessed at http://www.i-trade.com/ and at http://www2.tpusa.com/.