Golden Trade

What Golden Trade does

Golden Trade is the international B2B marketplace brand of Groupe CIOA SARL, a publicly listed entity on Euronext Paris (ticker MLCIO, ISIN FR0012384907) headquartered in La Valette du Var, France. Founded in 1994 under the name CIOA Network (Centre International d'Opportunités d'Affaires), the company operates a global electronic marketplace connecting 400,000+ companies across 140 countries for buy/sell listings, partner sourcing, and cross-border trade. The platform is anchored by a network of 40 liaison offices, 2,300 affiliated co-developers, and 200 experts who provide local business facilitation and onboarding in markets that are typically underserved by mainstream B2B platforms, particularly Francophone Africa and the Caribbean.

The core technology stack comprises a Web Services Platform with IN, OUT, and ERP modules covering publication, search, inter-business interaction, content and CRM management, commercial transaction handling, after-sales logistics, and financial management including VAT and payments. This is supplemented by the Business Watcher mobile application (linking 32 interconnected marketplaces), the Trade School educational content platform, and the Intelex proprietary database of historical import-export customs declarations. Adjacent wholly-owned platforms include TERRI-DEV (municipal/territorial development), TERRI-TOURISM with sub-brands TERRI-TOURS, TERRI-COUNTRIES, TERRI-GLOBAL (e-tourism), and Meilleurs Artisans du Monde (artisan commercialization). Tangible offerings also include the Centrales d'achat purchasing center with €7.5M transaction insurance and the SUN SYSTEM patented solar air treatment product.

Golden Trade operates a freemium model with free registration and paid premium tiers (OPEN PROFILE, VERIDICUS, VIC) for confidential content and contact access. Revenue is diversified across at least ten streams: subscription fees, transaction commissions on facilitated imports, representation services where Golden Trade acts under its own cover on behalf of members, active commercial promotion services, one-time profile purchases, advertising, translation services (French, English, Spanish, Chinese), import/export training programs, co-developer membership fees, and spot-purchase commissions. The customer base spans SMBs, importers/exporters, artisans, business intermediaries, and government/local collectivities across global markets, with pricing largely quote-based and not publicly disclosed.

Name

Golden Trade

Legal name

GROUPE CIOA Sarl

Website

https://golden-trade.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Golden Trade, operated by Groupe CIOA SARL (Euronext Paris: MLCIO), is an international B2B marketplace connecting 400,000+ companies across 140 countries for cross-border trade, supported by 2,300 co-developers, 40 liaison offices, and adjacent platforms for tourism, territorial development, and artisan commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

B2B International Trade Marketplace

akta.pro primary industry

B2B Marketplaces & Wholesale Platforms (BPAMAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cross-border B2B/Wholesale Trade Marketplaces (CRAFAJAC), Wholesale/B2B Generalist Marketplaces (CRAFAAAF)

Keywords

• B2B marketplace platform
• International trade services
• Import-export facilitation
• Business networking platform
• Global e-commerce marketplace

Headquarters

HQ city

La Garde

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Premium Subscriptions: Subscription-based access to confidential content and advertiser contacts. Premium tiers include OPEN PROFILE, VERIDICUS, and VIC subscriptions granting different levels of profile visibility and access to restricted marketplace information
2. Transaction Commissions: Commission-based revenue from import-export transactions facilitated through the platform. Commissionnaire à l'achat service charges transparent transaction commissions for handling imports including supplier search, tender organization, prospect qualification, transaction security, logistics, and formalities
3. Representation Services: Fee-based services where Golden Trade publishes offers under its own cover and responds to counterparties on behalf of members until transaction qualification or completion
4. Active Commercial Promotion: Paid promotion services including personnel delegation, market studies and research, sales document preparation, contact file creation and qualification, direct solicitation via email, mail, telemarketing, online promotion, and field visits
5. Profile Purchases: Non-subscribers can purchase individual advertiser profiles for one-time access to contact information
6. Advertising: Paid advertising placements on the marketplace platform and network communications
7. Translation Services: Professional translation services in French, English, Spanish, and Chinese for marketplace communications and documentation
8. Training Programs: Export/import preparation, intermediation, security, platform operation, e-marketing training programs with duration defined based on skills assessment
9. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees for co-developers and business network participants
10. Spot Purchase Commissions: Commissions for occasional import services used by subscribing members through the commissionnaire à l'achat service

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Golden Trade is an international B2B marketplace operated by Groupe CIOA Sarl that connects 400,000+ companies across 140 countries for import, export, and trade transactions. The platform combines an online marketplace with auxiliary tools including a mobile application (Business Watcher), a web services suite with ERP/IN/OUT modules, training modules, translation services, and dedicated sub-marketplaces (TERRI-DEV, TERRI-TOURISM, Meilleurs Artisans du Monde).

Product overview

Golden Trade operates as a multi-module B2B marketplace ecosystem with a core electronic marketplace connecting 400,000+ companies from 140 countries for buying, selling, and partnership activities. The platform is complemented by the Business Watcher mobile application, a Web Services platform with ERP capabilities, the Trade School training module, and the Intelex contact database. The ecosystem extends through specialized platforms including TERRI-DEV for territorial development, TERRI-TOURISM (with sub-brands TERRI-TOURS, TERRI-COUNTRIES, TERRI-GLOBAL) for tourism promotion, and Meilleurs Artisans du Monde (MAM) for artisan networks. Additional offerings include the SUN SYSTEM solar air treatment product, Hotel Express travel services, a Centrales d'achat purchasing center with transaction guarantees, and facilitation services including translation and commissionnaire à l'achat import services. The Co-développeur program provides membership access to collaborative business opportunities and a shared revenue model.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TERRI-TOURS: Platform covering a city or region for tourism promotion
• TERRI-COUNTRIES
• TERRI-GLOBAL
• Business Watcher

Products and services

• Golden Trade International Marketplace
• Business Watcher Mobile Application
• TERRI-DEV Territorial Development Platform
• TERRI-TOURISM
• Meilleurs Artisans du Monde (MAM)
• SUN SYSTEM Solar Lighting
• Hotel Express International
• Centrales d'Achat (Purchasing Centers)
• Commissionnaire à l'Achat (Import Commission Service)
• Services de Traduction (Translation Services)
• Co-Développeur Program
• Formation Import/Export (Trade School Training)

Quantifiable outcome

• Energy savings of 60-80% with SUN SYSTEM solar air treatment systems
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ville de Ducos (Martinique)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2015The city of Ducos (3rd economic hub of Martinique) joined SERCLIDEV for territorial project deployment including economic animation, e-administration tools, and territorial development support. Tourism development through TERRI-TOURISM platform.
• Office National du Tourisme (ONT) - RD CongocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerONT joined the TERRI-TOURISM network for its tourism development. CIOA and its local delegation are supporting ONT in defining strategies and implementing tourism development policies in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• BBU (Business Business Union)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOverseas and Africa Professional Network joining the CIOA ecosystem to better serve its members. Launch event held in Paris on December 7, 2016.
• BRED / Banque PopulaireminorOthersListed as a reference client for the CIOA business network services.
• Mutuelle EDFminorOthersListed as a reference client for the CIOA business network services.
• Ministère du Tourisme du CamerouncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCameroon Ministry of Tourism is a reference partner for tourism development collaboration under the CIOA network.
• État des ComorescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment of Comoros partnered with CIOA for economic development support.
• Union Patronale du Var (France)minorOthersListed as a reference client for the CIOA business network services.
• Ville de Gombé (RDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst agglomeration of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Upcoming launch under TERRI-DEV territorial development program.
• Ville de Bafoussam (Cameroun)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional capital of West Region in Cameroon. Upcoming launch under TERRI-DEV territorial development program.
• Hotel Express InternationalcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerFounded in 1987, Hotel Express is a worldwide leader in VIP advantage programs. Integrated and operated under license by CIOA since 1996 for Francophone territories. Offers travel discounts up to 50% at 150,000+ partner hotels worldwide.
• San Isidro (Spain)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLargest olive oil cooperative in Spain. CIOA concluded commercial agreement to help commercialize their olive oil on Francophone markets.
• GÜNSU (Turkey)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorISO9001:2008 certified cleaning and maintenance products company. Produces own packaging with systematic quality control, competing with major brands at competitive prices.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Global Sources: Hong Kong-headquartered B2B marketplace focused on international trade between Asian suppliers and global buyers. Directly comparable business model to Golden Trade — facilitating cross-border trade with paid supplier memberships and trade-show aligned platform — but with deeper Asian supplier base.
• DHgate: China-based cross-border B2B and B2C e-commerce platform. Comparable to Golden Trade in cross-border trade facilitation and marketplace model, though DHgate skews toward smaller-order B2B/B2C hybrid rather than large-volume B2B contracts.
• TradeKey: B2B marketplace focused on connecting buyers and suppliers in emerging markets (Middle East, South Asia, Africa). Comparable to Golden Trade's emerging-market B2B orientation, premium memberships, and emphasis on facilitating trade between developing-economy SMBs.
• Europages: European B2B directory and marketplace headquartered in France (like Golden Trade), connecting businesses globally with multilingual coverage. Closest direct competitor given shared French origins, European SMB focus, and similar B2B directory-plus-marketplace model with subscription and advertising monetization.
• EC21: Global B2B marketplace headquartered in Korea with millions of suppliers and buyers across categories. Directly comparable to Golden Trade's marketplace model — listing-based discovery, premium memberships, and trade-lead facilitation — though with broader Asian supplier base.
• Made-in-China: China-focused B2B cross-border marketplace operated by Focus Technology. Comparable to Golden Trade in facilitating cross-border B2B trade with paid memberships and supplier verification, but with concentrated Chinese supplier inventory and global buyer traffic.
• Kompass: Global B2B directory with 3+ million companies across 70+ countries, offering company listings, tender opportunities, and supplier search. Comparable to Golden Trade as a B2B directory/marketplace with subscription monetization and historical company database as a core asset.
• Alibaba: World's largest B2B cross-border marketplace connecting suppliers and buyers globally. Directly comparable to Golden Trade in core marketplace proposition but operates at vastly greater scale, with broader product coverage, escrow/payment infrastructure, and dominant share in international B2B e-commerce.

Regional players

• ThomasNet: North America's leading B2B industrial sourcing platform connecting manufacturers and suppliers with industrial buyers. Comparable to Golden Trade as a B2B directory/marketplace, but focused exclusively on North American industrial categories rather than cross-border international trade.
• IndiaMART: India's largest B2B marketplace with millions of suppliers and buyers, listed on Indian stock exchanges. Comparable to Golden Trade's B2B marketplace model with paid memberships, but primarily serves the Indian domestic market rather than the global cross-border niche Golden Trade occupies.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/GroupeCIOA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=rf7S9KhX9UQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/Goldentradefr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/goldentradefr
• Instagramplus.google.com/+Golden-Trade

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Golden Trade