MAI offers a range of cost-effective international trade, investment, and enterprise development services designed for regions and companies to reach their economic and corporate growth goals. Clients may select services from six practice areas to meet specific needs. MAI works closely and at the executive level with clients seeking to penetrate United States, Canadian, European, Pacific, and selected developing markets. Core services include:
- Small & Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) Development
- Competitiveness Analysis, Industry Studies & Growth Strategies
- International Finance Mobilization
- Foreign Direct Investment Promotion
- Market Development Missions
- Executive Training
Small & Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) Development
SMEs face distinct challenges when it comes to growing through international trade and investment. To this end, MAI collaborates closely with the client through a variety of specific services:
- Business Plans
- Export Development Plans
- Mentoring
- Partner and Buyer Identification and Qualification
- Consortium Development
- Negotiation with Potential Agents, Distributors, Joint Venture Partners
- Identification and Qualification of Merger or Acquisition Candidates
- Screening and Development of Investment Opportunities
- Trade Show Representation and Follow up
- Issue-specific Business Development Seminars
- SME Policy Development
- Operational Start-up Assistance
Under this final service, once it is determined that a market exists for a client’s products or services and an effective entry strategy is established, MAI and its network of strategic alliances help guide successful implementation of the strategy via the following services:
- Company Representation
- Liaison with Distributors, Licensees, Joint Venture Partners, Suppliers
- Initial Sales Support
- Final Site Location and Staffing
Competitiveness Analysis, Industry Studies & Growth Strategies
MAI offers customized studies and strategies to clients considering new or expanding existing global markets. In addition, MAI collaborates with government trade and investment promotion agencies as well as industry associations seeking to achieve sustainable economic growth through international trade and investment initiatives for their member companies and regions.
- Country Profiles
- Industry Profiles
- Sector Studies and Strategies
- Competitiveness benchmarking & Strategic Planning
- Needs Assessments
- Best Markets Analysis and Strategies
- Competitor Analysis
- Pre-qualified Contacts
- Pricing Analysis
- Product/Service Adaptation
International Finance Mobilization
MAI offers guidance towards understanding how to negotiate and obtain trade, project, debt and equity finance, as well as guarantees and insurance from International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to successfully support corporate investments in new and expanding markets. IFIs are divided into three categories: Multilateral Development Banks (MDB), Bilateral Aid Agencies, and Private Sector Institutions (including commercial banks, private equity funds, venture capitalists). MDBs and Bilateral Aid Agencies provide loans and credits for projects and programs that support sustainable economic, social, and political progress in developing countries. These projects offer over US$100 billion worth of sales and financial opportunities annually across many sectors. In order to achieve success, it is critical that clients understand procurement rules and organizational structure of MDBs and Bilateral Aid Agencies in addition to the governments and markets they serve. Private financial institutions seek high return investments globally and rely on a significant level of due diligence before committing funds. Understanding how to approach these institutions is critical to successfully obtaining debt and equity finance in support of company growth plans. Services include:
- Client Needs Assessment
- Customized Analyses and Monitoring of MDB Sales Opportunities
- Guidance during Bid Process
- Consortium-building
- Client Representation to Financial Organizations
- Mobilization of Competitive Financing to Support Investments and Sales
- Intelligence on New Industry and Country Investment Funds
Foreign Direct Investment Promotion
A key link in the economic development chain is the sound development and implementation of foreign director investment expansion and attraction policies. MAI works closely with public, non-profit and private sector clients to develop and implement action plans in support of these policies. MAI researches, analyses and writes demand assessments, investment promotion strategies, and promotional material. The company also researches and develops short-lists of pre-qualified potential investors, contacts these targets, presents the client’s value proposition, arranges meetings between the client and potential investor, provides 3rd party due diligence and guidance during the introduction process and utilizes follow-up assistance to ensure a successful investment.
MAI organizes industry-specific, country-specific, and multi-industry market development missions to overseas destinations on behalf of both private and public sector clients, either individually or as a group. These missions are an excellent tool to be used as part of a larger business development strategy for increasing critical market share. After researching and prioritizing international markets, companies use MAI's services to travel to target markets to expand their network of carefully selected and pre-qualified contacts ranging from buyers to strategic allies. Specific services include:
- Pre-mission Preparation Seminars and Workshops
- Mentoring
- Research and Development of Pre-qualified Potential Business Partners in Target Country
- Arrangement and Confirmation of One-on-One Meetings with Potential Buyers, Agents, Distributors, Licensees, Joint Venture Partners, Mergers & Acquisition Targets, and Strategic Allies
- On-the-ground Assistance (ranging from guidance during negotiations to follow-up support)
- Customized Briefing Books
- Logistics
- Evaluations and Surveys
- Post-mission Follow-up
MAI provides training for CEOs, sales, marketing and business development staff as well as to government trade and investment professionals. Training ranges from ½ day to 2 day programs covering topics from export development and outsourcing strategies to investment attraction and trade capacity building. MAI also customizes training to the client’s specific needs.