Tailored Client Projects
Justin Reisinger
DARLING DOWNS ICE CREAM CO.
Najib has been an amazing resource for us and has played a key role in the development and execution of our export projects. His understanding of how to structure a deal, by engaging with the various parties involved from buyers to logistics, is second to none and I have no doubt he is one of Australia's foremost export project practitioners.
Luca Scalzi
PURE ORIGINS
Najib has and continues to play and integral role in assisting Pure Origins to initiate and further grow our export markets. With his wealth of experience and insight in global trade markets and with his introduction to key contacts Pure Origins continues to grow our sales channels globally.
Rhett Hurwitz
LUV SUM
I am truly impressed by Export Connect’s work. The quality of their connections, both domestic and international, is remarkable; and their skill and tenacity in delivering value to their clients is a step above the rest.
Jackie Barnes
BROOKFARM
Market research is so important for both new and existing markets in export. I engaged Export Connect to do the groundwork for me for a market we were not performing so well in. The reporting and information is concise, relevant and clearly gives a real visual of where our product sits in-market. These reports in turn gave me valuable in-market information which we can now use to develop targeted strategies in-market. Najib and his team are exceptionally experienced in export markets and insights not just on this project but in the seminars as well.
Jeremy Ng
CHOBANI
Export Connect exceeded our expectations. In seeking their advice on Southeast and Asian markets, we were impressed by the experience of their consultants and their clear and constant communication throughout the project. Highly recommended.
Brian Newton
WOOLWORTHS
Najib and the team at Export Connect helped us to gain an understanding of a key potential export market so that we were well prepared for the follow-up market visit. They also connected us with relevant potential customers. Overall an excellent service and highly recommended for those wanting to hit the ground running in a new market.
Lou Corteen
URBAN FORAGER
It has been an absolute pleasure working with Export Connect. We been blown away by what they have delivered through this project. In 12 years of business, I have never worked with a more professional but friendly team. The quality of the work we’ve received has just been outstanding and we wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again.
Brock Hatton
CHIEF NUTRITION
The team at Export Connect have a vast amount of knowledge and experience in export markets. This, coupled with their enthusiasm makes the process of evaluating and entering new export markets a much easier prospect.
Sherralee Tempest
OZGANICS
Professional and pleasant to work with. Always available to assist in various Export Markets with up-to-date knowledge and information.
Market Visit Programme
Juliet Tripodi
RAINBOW FRESH
The Market Visit Program to Malaysia and Singapore has been a priceless experience. The preparation for the visit was critical as the Export Connect team equipped us with all the insights and strategies necessary to prepare for the targeted and relevant buyer meetings facilitated. As a newcomer to the export scene, I will continue to utilise Export Connect’s services for future export opportunities. Thank you Najib and Export Connect for helping make Rainbow Fresh’s export journey a positive one. Looking forward to our next Export Connect market visit programme!
Tobin Woolford
EYREWOOLF ABALONE
Participating in the market visit to Malaysia and Singapore with Export Connect provided me with invaluable knowledge on up-to-the-minute market opportunities in the retail and distribution landscape. It allowed me to assess competitor positioning and tailor my pitch for each market. The preparation for and access to relevant major players afforded me the opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise had access to. A busy and insightful market visit.
Sean Garlick
GARLO'S PIES
The Export Connect market visit programme was professionally delivered from the moment we signed on. The detailed market insights and competitor analysis, along with the in-market supermarket tour set us up perfectly for the buyer appointments that Export Connect facilitated. We are now deep into negotiations with a major Singapore distributor and supermarket chain. I'd recommend participating in an Export Connect market visit programme to any food business wanting to enter or grow export markets.
Olga Plotnikova
PIMP MY SALAD
I participated in the Singapore market visit programme with Export Connect. They provided me with extensive market research ahead of my visit. Their reports provided me with valuable information to help prepare me for the meetings with buyers, and learn about new market opportunities and products presented in stores. As a result of these meetings, I expect to have our products available in Singapore soon. Overall, I am happy with results I received from Singapore markets visit and Export Connect`s work. I will definitely be taking part in future market visits programs and highly recommend this opportunity to other companies who want to start exporting their products and exploring new markets.
Annabel Langely
ELECTROPOPS
The market visit to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore was invaluable and a must-do if you are looking into these markets. It was a fast, effective way to gather all the information needed. Getting to see firsthand where my product fits and the expectations of both the distributor and markets was really worthwhile. I met with some large frozen distributors in both markets and have lots of leads to follow up on. Thanks for everything Najib and team.
Adelyn Chee
MURRAY RIVER ORGANICS
Export Connect coordinated an inaugural Organic Market visit in August 2018 to Singapore and Hong Kong. Through their extensive retailer, foodservice and importer network in these markets, Murray River Organics were able to meet with the right buyers, armed with competitor analysis and in-market insights.
Phil Gair
TRUMPS
The information that Najib and his team gave us prior to our market visits was invaluable, especially with regard to products and pricing. We were able to set our goals and pricing before we went. It gave us insight into who we were meeting, and what we were doing. Every interview we had was great.
Janine Adams
UNDIVIDED FOOD CO.
The Market Visit Program to Singapore and Hong Kong was mind-blowing. The number of stores we got to see; the number of buyers; the information that Najib and his team provided us beforehand - we went fully prepared. In every meeting, buyers were interested in us. That's a credit to Najib and the team. It was a very, very insightful trip.
Greg Wallace
TENFARMS
I went to three countries with Export Connect, not knowing what to expect. What I found was that all meetings were very well organised, great connections, great insights to all three markets and I ended up with great prospects from all three markets! What I did in two weeks with Export Connect, would have taken me months if I was doing these countries by myself! When I am looking to try other new markets, I will definitely be using Export Connect!
Kylie Shepherd Watson
NUTWORKS
Thank you for your expert guidance on the recent trip to Singapore. From the in-depth market research before the trip through to the professional advice provided throughout the trip, I left Singapore armed with the information I need to succeed in this market. In addition, the buyer meetings were professionally conducted and were all with relevant interested parties. Not to mention, I learnt a few things about elevating my sales pitch to get the most out of these meetings. I now look forward to exploring the opportunities presented and converting to future sales.
Kerrie Shingles
AMAZONIA
On completion of the tour, I am now hard into converting sales from the trip, capitalising on the insightful and on point data that was provided. The meetings arranged were solid, many with great prospects and some resulting in strategic “no outcome” - which in itself is valuable and provides excellent learnings. I am now gaining traction on entry points to the market with some partners directly from this trip. The programme is to date the best market programme I have paid to attend, it was value for money, and lays the platform to pursue opportunities with further hard work. If you are prepared to undertake the extensive follow up from such a programme, you will be rewarded. Najib and his team were wonderfully supportive and detailed in their execution. I am sure I will commit to future work with Export Connect.
Cheryl Stewart
MORLIFE
The preparation and planning of the market research reports received by Export Connect prior to the Malaysian trip were beyond my expectations. It was tailored specifically to Morlife. What this meant is, I went to set meetings with a market feel, an insight to who our competitors were and knowledge of the current market trends. We were able to play to our strengths, detect the gaps and articulate a way to fill them. Best of all, we are already taking orders with some of the buyers we met!
Workshops and Partnerships
Philip Litton
EXPORT SOLUTIONS
I have experienced firsthand at major international trade fairs how Najib's true passion for the food sector, his years of experience in trade, and his communications skills, have benefited many Australian exporters as they seek to develop and export markets for their outstanding products. His network of contacts, and his strong personality make him a great person to have alongside.
Minnie Constan
FINE FOOD AUSTRALIA EXPOS
We at Fine Food Australia have worked with Najib for a number of years now and have found his knowledge and experience of the export market is second to none. His commitment to the industry and trade has seen him develop small export opportunities into large ventures for the companies he is associated with.
Bonnie Shek
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Najib is passionate about helping Australian SMEs to export to overseas markets. His knowledge and experience of Hong Kong as a food and wine trading hub is invaluable to those wanting to expand into China and Asia. Under Najib, Export Connect will play a critical role in further promoting trade and investment for the agribusiness sector.
Mukund Narayana Murti
ASIALINK BUSINESS
Najib has exceptional experience advising food businesses in Australia with their export strategies. He has exceptional networks in Australia in the Asian region, and ability to understand a business' value proposition thoroughly, and a rare ability to provide practical yet sophisticated advice that is outcomes focused.
Bryn Pears
SILLY YAK FOODS
A really excellent event, Export Connect! The insights provided by the panel were very valuable, and the moderation of the panel session by Najib Lawand kept the discussions focussed and on topic. The inclusion of time for networking after the panel was also very valuable. Overall, excellent value for the price of admission. I would definitely attend another similar event, so don't you dare hold one without inviting me!
Lori Phillips
LORI’S WHOLESOME PANTRY
It was such a worthwhile seminar. Lots to hear and explore. Thanks for hosting.
Al Overton
PLANET ORGANIC UK
It is always the people that make buying missions enjoyable, and the team at Export Connect, fellow buyers and suppliers we met made the trip so productive. A big bonus is that we are now stocking Australian products identified from the trip.
Kirti Meghnani
CHOITHRAMS UAE
The tour would not have been so great without the company of fellow buyers. The Export Connect team did a great job in facilitating high calibre buyers who shared deep insights into their markets and to the discussions we had. This trip has helped us find new products and ways to enhance our business!
Emma Greenhatch
FOOD & AGRIBUSINESS NETWORK
Export Connect is redefining the model for providing quality export services that deliver real value to their clients. Najib's knowledge of and relationships across so many export markets are a significant value add, as is his 'real-life' experience working with food and beverage exporters of all shapes and sizes. The Export Connect team are responsive, professional and committed to supporting their clients to develop sustainable export markets.
Margaret McLelland
MELBOURNE’S NORTH FOOD GROUP
Melbourne’s North Food Group has had the pleasure of working with Najib and the team at Export Connect on many occasions and the opportunities and expertise they offer MNFG and our members not only from an exporting perspective but the many activities they organise for our Food Manufacturing partners is invaluable. The Exporters Forum we attended with buyers from the UK, UAE & Malaysia was informative. We had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the international buyers, and now our members are either doing business or continuing negotiations with those buyers. Keep up the great work - looking forward to being involved in your next project. Count us in!
Simone Chalmers
ZENZO & TONZU
I attended one of the Export Connect Masterclasses and it provided us with very helpful and valuable information to set up our exporting strategy. Najib is a valuable source of knowledge and experience and the webinar was very engaging all the way along despite my hesitation to sit through a six hour webinar over two days. I would highly recommend the masterclass to anyone who is considering expanding their business overseas.
Nick Maiolo
HONEY AUSTRALIA
The recent market session for Singapore was really good to attend.The in-depth market research and meeting the buyer along with the presentation was extremely helpful for all business that attended. On top of this, we were able to attract the buyer which has requested to stock our products. A big thank you to Najib and his team that work extremely hard to put this together.
Michael Bird
SNACK BRANDS AUSTRALIA
Export Connect consistently provide a great series of events for exporters to gain exposure to overseas markets. Their events also provide an excellent opportunity to network with other like-minded suppliers.
Kym Cooper
EAST FORGED
I got a lot out of the programme and it has given me quite a clear path in my thinking about export and what to expect. I particularly found the real-life examples that were shown useful and appreciated the time you took to work through these and share your thinking. I would definitely recommend this masterclass to others.
Lisa Guy
BODHI ORGANIC TEA
The AOL export masterclass for Singapore delivered by Export Connect was excellent. I now have a much better understanding of the Singaporean market and consumers, along with how to do a detailed competitor review. This masterclass also clearly explained what certificates and documentation is needed when exporting to Singapore.
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