Andrew Murray-Watson.The Scotsman Online December
19, 2000.
CUBA’S fledgling economy is set to receive a welcome boost with the
intervention of a small Scottish software company.
Kirkintilloch-based export-facilitator K-Gen has been approached by a Cuban
delegation to help the country’s leading firms get a foothold in lucrative
foreign markets.
The IT company has developed an export marketing system which can be
accessed over the internet. Working in partnership with Cuban company Softel it
will isolate and identify suitable trading areas across the world for the
country’s 400 licensed exporters.
The deal will see officials in Cuba visiting the Scottish firm to be trained
in the use of its innovative internet-based software product Export Navigator.
K-Gen will also play a critical role in the development of Cuba’s
internet presence, including all elements of web design and marketing.
Gerry Harris, 47, chief executive and founder of K-Gen said that the company
will help Cuba bring in foreign currency. "We have detailed information
about every economy in the world. By using this information, and in
collaboration with Softel, we will match Cuban export entities with suitable
foreign markets.
"In the first year of the contract we will see 50 to 60 companies using
our services."
He added that the deal, initially worth £150,000 could lead to much
bigger contracts in the Caribbean region.
Cuba’s export drive has been helped by $1 billion in oil revenue
received from Venezuela. Although it still suffers from the US’s continued
embargo, the country has one of the best education and health services in the
world.
"Although it still relies heavily on traditional sectors such as
tourism, Cuba’s software sector is set to explode. With the US embargo, the
UK could benefit enormously from trade links. Currently Cuba has a very well
educated workforce that are not being used very efficiently," said Harris.
The company’s core Export Navigator product was initially designed in
response to the difficulties faced by SMEs in Scotland that are looking to enter
export markets. 55 per cent of companies who attempt to export spend between £10,000
to £20,000 without seeing significant returns, according to Harris.
However since it was founded the company has received widespread attention
from across the world.
The company, which operates from the Scottish Enterprise-built Campsie
Softnet in Kirkintilloch currently employs 13 people, and the company hopes to
recruit a further 20 by the end of next year. | 