Export Development Association

What Export Development Association does

Export Development Association (EDA) is a membership-based non-profit association headquartered in Tbilisi, Georgia, founded in 2012 to help Georgian enterprises grow and diversify their exports through consulting, advocacy, and promotion. As of 2023, EDA affiliates approximately 150 active export-oriented Georgian companies across multiple sectors, and operates a comprehensive suite of around 15 export development services spanning the full export lifecycle: diagnostic tools (Export Readiness Test, Export Capacity Audit), advisory services (Export Helpdesk, Market Research, Market Selection), operational support (Remote Export Management, Trade Missions, Trade Fair Management), and specialized services (Cargo Consolidation, Product Compliance Checks, Product Branding, Registration on Trade Portals). Basic export guidance is provided free to any company registered in Georgia, while deeper professional services are fee-based, and membership itself carries no fee but requires participation in bi-annual surveys.

EDA's core distribution advantage is an exclusive partnership with European export consulting firm Gateway&Partners, which gives members access to a regularly updated database of tens of thousands of international trader contacts and has facilitated hundreds of business matchmakings. The organization supplements its consulting work with a digital layer — the CROP2SHOP Export Helpdesk Portal, developed with USAID Agriculture Program support — and an extensive publications library covering more than 100 market research projects, 30+ managed international trade shows, and over 500 training sessions delivered to more than 13,000 listeners across rural and urban MSMEs.

The operating model is unusual: EDA is grant-funded rather than commercial-revenue-driven, with the bulk of its budget sourced from international development agencies including USAID, the European Union (Ready to Trade / EU4Business), the Swiss Development Agency, the Austrian Development Agency, GIZ, the World Bank, FAO, the United Nations, bp Georgia, and Enterprise Georgia. Pricing is freemium — the helpdesk is free, professional services are quote-based — and the target market is small and medium-sized Georgian exporters in food and beverage, textile, hazelnut, and related sectors, with trade fair and trade mission reach extending into the EU, Gulf States, and broader international markets.

Name

Export Development Association

Legal name

Export Development Association

Website

https://eda.org.ge

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Export Development Association (EDA) is a Georgian non-profit association founded in 2012 that provides consulting, market research, trade fair management, and trade mission services to approximately 150 member exporters and the broader Georgian SME community, funded largely by international development grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Export Development Consulting & Trade Promotion Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Export Promotion & Market Access Support (BPADAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Economic Research, Statistics & Policy Advisory (BPADAMAJ)

Keywords

• Export development services
• Trade advisory consulting
• Market research services
• Trade fair management
• Export capacity assessment

Headquarters

HQ city

Tbilisi

HQ country

Georgia

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Services: EDA operates as a membership-based association where companies become members without paying traditional membership fees. Members commit to participating in bi-annual surveys and cooperate with the association on export development issues. Members receive advantages including priority service, protection of interests in higher bodies, advantage in contacting traders, and priority in choosing exhibition space.
2. Fee-based Export Services: EDA offers 15 types of fee-based services for exporters including Export Capacity Assessment, Market Research, Remote Export Management, Trade Fair Management, Trade Missions, Export Strategy development, Product Compliance Checks, Product Branding, Cargo Consolidation, and Registration on Trade Portals. Export Helpdesk provides FREE basic overview while research reports are available for a fee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Export Development Association (EDA) provides a comprehensive suite of export development services to Georgian companies, covering the entire export lifecycle. Core offerings include diagnostic tools (Export Readiness Test, Export Capacity Assessment/Export Audit), advisory services (Export Helpdesk, Market Research, Market Selection and Entry Recommendations), operational support (Remote Export Management, Trade Fair Management/Event Participation, Trade Missions/Study Tours), and specialized services (Cargo Consolidation, Product Compliance Checks, Product Branding for Export, Export Strategy development, and Registration on Trade Portals). EDA also maintains the CROP2SHOP Export Helpdesk Portal developed with USAID support, and operates in exclusive partnership with European consulting firm Gateway&Partners for international market access.

Product overview

Export Development Association (EDA) offers a comprehensive suite of 15 export development services covering the entire export lifecycle, from initial readiness assessment to market entry and ongoing support. The core offering includes diagnostic tools (Export Readiness Test, Export Capacity Assessment), advisory services (Export Helpdesk, Market Research, Market Selection), operational support (Remote Export Management, Trade Missions, Trade Fair Management), and specialized services (Cargo Consolidation, Product Compliance, Product Branding). EDA operates in partnership with Gateway&Partners for broader market coverage. Most services are fee-based, with basic guidance on internationalization provided free to companies registered in Georgia. The organization also maintains CROP2SHOP, an online Export Helpdesk Portal developed with USAID support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Crop2Shop: Export Helpdesk Portal for Georgian exporters

Products and services

• Export Readiness Test An online self-assessment tool (Excel format, Georgian and English) that helps companies evaluate their readiness to start exporting.
• Export Helpdesk Free advisory service providing export-oriented Georgian companies with information on export documents, rules of origin, labeling, packaging, standards and certification, tariff and non-tariff barriers, import procedures, product requirements, import duties, taxes, rules of origin, and trade statistics.
• Export Capacity Assessment (Export Audit) A professional evaluation service where trained Export Advisors visit production sites, collect information on export products and services, and provide recommendations on export markets for companies ready to start, grow, or diversify exports.
• Market Research Deep and comprehensive research identifying likely purchase quantities, product modifications needed for marketplace appeal, marketing approaches and costs, long-term market potential, customer profiles, and partners for marketing within foreign marketplaces.
• Market Selection and Entry Recommendations Consultancy service screening markets, identifying main barriers and competitiveness factors for specific products or services, selecting countries with highest export potential, and preparing recommendations about entering these markets.
• Remote Export Management Part-time remote assistance from professional export managers dedicated to liaising with potential trade partners and attracting export deals, suitable for experienced exporters or companies in initial export development phases.
• Trade Fair Management / Event Participation Service helping beneficiaries gain quick overview of marketplace and competition, establish valuable business contacts, and potentially sell products on site at trade shows (e.g., Gulfood, Riga Food, Sial, Anuga, Green Week, Hofex, Foodex), with EDA advising on best tradeshows and organizing all details for successful participation.
• Cargo Consolidation Service arranging transportation by combining prepared goods from multiple consignees, collecting documentation for customs clearance, and preparing shipments to destination.
• Trade Missions / Study Tours Organization of trade missions in Georgia and abroad, including buyer visits to Georgian export companies, for competition research, experience sharing, and acquiring important partners, often combined with trade show participation and B2B meetings.
• Export Strategy Export strategy development and export marketing plan services for exporters and export-oriented companies.
• Product Compliance Checks Product compliance checks according to export market requirements.
• Product Branding for Export Export product branding services including packaging, labeling, and other marketing-related topics.
• Registration on Trade Portals Service helping companies register on trade portals.
• CROP2SHOP Export Helpdesk Portal developed with USAID Agriculture Program support, providing online access to export-related information and resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 training sessions conducted for more than 13,000 listeners
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Gateway&PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partnership with leading European export consulting firm providing access to a regularly updated contact database of tens of thousands of international traders. This partnership has facilitated several hundreds of business matchmakings for Georgian exporters, including support in numerous tenders by European wholesalers. EDA provides members with access to state-of-the-art services in any market or sector through this partnership.
• USAIDmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMultiple projects funded including Economic Integration of Minorities (EIM), Unity Through Diversity Program, Economic Security Program (Guided Growth Project), Agriculture Program (Crop2Shop), Economic Governance Program, and REAP Project. USAID funding has supported export promotion trainings, trade show organization, and rural development initiatives.
• European Union (EU)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding through Eastern Partnership: Ready to Trade - EU4Business Initiative implemented by International Trade Center. Projects supporting Georgian businesses in navigating DCFTA regulations and accessing EU public procurement markets.
• Swiss Development Agency (SDC)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding for Rural SMEs Development Project implemented by Swisscontact and Merci Corps, including research and capacity development of Rural Marketing companies in Georgia (2021-2023).
• Austrian Development Agency (ADA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding for Export Management Services to Organic Producers through the GRETA Project supporting organic producers in export development.
• GIZminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding for Organizational Development Strategy for Entrepreneurship Development Agency (Enterprise Georgia) project in 2015.
• World BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding for Tourism Project - TASME (Technical Assistance to Small and Medium Enterprises) from 2017-2019.
• FAOminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding for Georgian Seedlings Export Potential research project supporting agricultural export development.
• United Nations AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding for Market Diversification for Economic Reintegration project (2023-2024).
• APM Terminals PotiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding for APMTerminals4Poti project (2020-2022) supporting port and logistics development for trade facilitation.
• Enterprise Georgia (LEPL)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerState initiative funding for Micro and Small Entrepreneurship Support Project 'Produce in Georgia' from 2015-2019.
• Georgian Farmers AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Baseline study and Stakeholder Mapping project.
• Georgian Hazelnut Producers Association (HEPA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDevelopment of Hazelnut Sector through sector-specific support and export promotion activities.
• SABUKOminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding for Georgian Sheep & Sheep Products Export Potential to EU & Gulf States project (2020).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Business France: French national agency supporting international development of French companies through export consulting, market intelligence, and trade missions. Comparable export development service suite, though state-backed and serving a much larger mature economy.
• UK Department for Business and Trade: UK government department supporting UK exporters with trade services, market access, and trade promotion programs. Comparable export development mission though at much larger scale and fully government-affiliated.

Direct peers

• Swisscontact: Swiss foundation for development cooperation that implements SME development and market access programs in emerging economies, including rural SME development projects in Georgia. Functionally comparable as a donor-funded trade and SME development implementer.
• International Trade Centre (ITC): Joint UN-WTO agency that helps SMEs in developing and transition economies become more competitive in international markets, with programs spanning export readiness, market research, and trade fair participation. Directly comparable to EDA in mission, beneficiary type, and service portfolio.
• ProColombia: National export promotion agency supporting Colombian exporters with market research, trade fair participation, and buyer matchmaking across global markets. Comparable export promotion mandate targeting non-traditional markets in a developing economy context.
• Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI): National chamber representing Georgian businesses with services including trade facilitation, market access support, and export promotion. Comparable as a membership-based trade association serving Georgian exporters, with overlapping B2B matchmaking functions.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): German federal enterprise for international development cooperation that implements SME and economic development programs globally, including organizational development for Enterprise Georgia. Comparable as a development implementer focused on trade and SME capacity building.
• Enterprise Georgia: State-owned agency under Georgia's Ministry of Economy that supports SME development, investment promotion, and exports. Overlapping mandate with EDA in supporting Georgian exporters, though state-backed rather than membership-driven, making it the closest functional peer within Georgia.

Others

• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC): Global business organization promoting international trade through trade rules, dispute resolution, and policy advocacy. Comparable as a membership-based trade organization facilitating business connections, though operating at multilateral rather than national level.

Regional players

• Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP): State-run trade promotion organization for Pakistani exporters with comparable trade fair management, trade mission organization, and market research services. Operates in a different geography but with similar export promotion mandate and service portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/edaorgge
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/export-development-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/export_development_assn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Export Development Association