e-auction

Project Name: Development of an Electronic Exchange for Agri-food Products in the Cross-Border Area – E-AUCTION

Project Partners: Greek–Italian Chamber of Commerce of Thessaloniki (GICC); Chamber of Commerce of Kilkis; Greek–German Chamber of Industry and Commerce; Municipality of Kavadarci

Implementation Period: 01/05/2013 to 03/01/2015

Programme: IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Greece – Macedonia, 2007–2013

Project Objective: To develop a market with e-auctions for agri-food products, based on the successful model of the Italian online exchange for agricultural products (BMTI), developed and managed by the Union of Italian Chambers of Commerce for 16 years.

Target Group: Suppliers from the cross-border region and buyers worldwide.

Activities:

• Develop an action plan to promote local agri-food products and services in order to strengthen imports and exports, with emphasis on the Italian and German markets.
• Develop an electronic exchange, based on successful European models, consisting of:
  • An online multilingual e-exchange platform
  • Internal regulations for the platform
  • An easy-to-use interface
  • Open protocols
  • A search tool using parameters, catalogues, and indices
  • High standards of security for personal data and transactions
• Organize training sessions for technical and administrative staff to manage the platform.
• Establish and operate a help desk supported by a web application.
• Provide tailored advisory to local businesses to promote their export potential and innovative profile.
• Edit/publish a multilingual guide with an export and innovation focus.
• Organize business missions.
• Participate in agri-food fairs within the programme area.

Results Achieved:

• E-Auction Market created—an innovative business tool available to producers and entrepreneurs in the agri-food sector.
• Direct support to local businesses through targeted activities to develop competitiveness, outward orientation, and innovation, as well as networking and synergy-building.
• Indirect support to local competitiveness by building capacity and fostering cooperation among key organizations in the agri-food and business sectors (chambers, unions, associations, etc.) in the cross-border area of Greece – Republic of Macedonia, as well as in Italy and Germany.

Project site: http://e-auctionmarket.eu/