• About BTFP • Value chains • Trade Promotion • Sustainable Use • Benefit-sharing •

UNCTAD and its partners in the BTFP actively promote the growth and competitiveness of large, medium and small biotrade business enterprises. The BTFP actively coordinates and leverages public and private-sector resources that facilitate strategic alliances in support of the private businesses active in the value chains selected by each country. 

 How does BTFP help BioTrade businesses?

BTFP provides funding to address key needs of the businesses as identified in the sector assessment of the selected value chains (e.g. natural ingredients, exotic flowers, ecotourism, and others). Through a network of national and international  business support organisations (BSOs), export promotion agencies, universities, consultancy firms, research & development centres, together with the BioTrade National Programmes, companies receive technical support with issues such as:

• Assisting selected exporting or potential exporting companies in adapting their products to market requirements.

• Improving the quality of their products and the quality management systems of their business.

• Integrating the BioTrade principles and criteria into the business in order to make them socially and ecologically sustainable.

• Guiding in the design and implementation of tailor-made strategies and work-plans in order to upgrade their production practices and to trade products derived from the sustainable use of biodiversity.

• Designing and improving marketing strategies. 

• Further developing managerial, technical and financial skills.

The BTFP engages international experts in a specific sector as well as business specialists who have the knowledge and practical experience needed to run successful and profitable businesses. Those experts, together with the staff of the BSOs, the BioTrade National Programmes and UNCTAD, team up to provide tailored assistance to entrepreneurs.

What do the BTFP and its Partners charge for their services?

In most cases, business referral services are provided free of charge. However, on some occasions fees are charged for specific management and technical trainings.

Why could BTFP business development services be interesting for your company?

World markets for products and services derived from biodiversity are expanding due to new scientific discoveries, the need for industries to recycle their products, and renewed interest by consumers in ‘natural products’. Consumers are also more sensitive on how products are produced and are ready to pay more for environmentally and socially friendly products.

At the same time, ecological problems are increasing all over the world, and countries that are rich in natural resources and biological diversity are witnessing high rates of deforestation and obvious threats to biological diversity. For a large proportion, this fact is linked to the poverty of local populations.

Through the support of the BTFP, your products will be more attractive to the market since the consumer is assured that such products do not threaten the diversity of plants, animals and ecosystems and benefit people in the areas they are produced. At the same time, BioTrade offers your company the opportunity to take part in the conservation of a rich biodiversity  and the reduction of poverty in rural areas. Furthermore, through sustainable management plans facilitated by BioTrade, you can secure long-term access to the natural resources on which the future of your company depends.