Case: C1 | Market Analysis & Country Selection

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Choose the best possible export country

28-07-2025 1039 views 1

C1 | Market Analysis & Country Selection

Business case approved? Now it’s time to choose the most promising export country.

You now need to identify which country offers the best export potential for your chosen business case. Therefore, some quantitative and qualitative research is a definite must-do.

This assignment helps you make a well-informed first scan — based on publicly available data. Find out which country is the best option to build a sustainable business based on its statistics and information available. Please note that this is just the first step of the desk research you’ll be doing.

If you skip this step, your export plan might target the wrong audience, face unexpected barriers, or overlook better opportunities.

In this assignment you compare the countries listed in your business case:

FRST: Mexico and Brazil
WaterCamp: Australia, New Zealand and South Africa

Use the online tool OEC – Observatory of Economic Complexity as your main research source. Note: the previous tool, the NL exporteert app, is no longer supported.

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Assignments for students

What to do?

Use the online tool OEC – Observatory of Economic Complexity as your main research source. Note: the previous tool, the NL exporteert app, is no longer supported.

1. Find and share usefull data. For each country, upload 1-2 screenshots that you find useful for your first scan.

Each screenshot should highlight a different aspect (for example: income level, trade partners, or economic complexity).

2. One indicator is mandatory, the ECI.

The Economic Complexity Index (ECI) tells you how advanced and competitive a country’s economy is.

– A high ECI usually means: strong industry, high expectations, strong competition.
– A low ECI may offer easier access, but possibly fewer opportunities.

3. Add 1 to 3 extra indicators to support your analysis. You decide which ones are relevant.

Examples may include:
– GDP per capita
– Main export or import products
– Top trade partners
– Income levels
– Observable trends (e.g. e-commerce or sustainability)

Use your findings to choose one country and explain why it offers the most potential for your export plan.

Which standards apply?

All mandatory questions are answered; all necessary attachments have been uploaded.
The selection criteria are clear and specifically mentioned.
The motivation is valid, concise and to the point.

Once you’ve compared the countries, it’s time to make a choice.
You don’t just analyse — you decide. The country you select now will shape the direction of your entire export plan.

Important

After this assignment C1, you will continue working with the country you selected. Make sure your choice fits your business case and feels realistic. The next assignments will build on it.

Core assignments for students

Discover whether you master the essence of this case by completing the corresponding core assignments. If necessary, you can share your answers with your teacher or supervisor.

Case: C1 | CO23 | Market Analysis & Country Selection

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C1.1 Obviously, your market analysis has been limited to a list of certain counties. Which countries have you been comparing?*

Just name the two or three countries you focused on.

C1.2 Upload between 2 and 6 screenshots to support your answers. You may upload separate files or combine them in one document.*

For example: Are you comparing Mexico and Brazil (FRST)? Then upload one screenshot for each country that shows useful or relevant data. Are you working on Australia, New Zealand and South Africa (WaterCamp)? Do the same: at least one screenshot per country.

Drop files here or

Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, pdf, docx, Max. file size: 256 MB, Max. files: 6.

C1.3 What is the Economic Complexity Index (ECI) of each country?*

List each country and its score.

C1.4 What does the ECI tell you about these countries?*

Try to explain in simple terms.

C1.5 Based on your findings, which country looks most promising?*

Give a short and clear reason for your choice.

C1.6 Which indicators did you take into consideration, besides the ECI?*

You may have looked at things like: GDP per person, top trade partners, main export/import products, income levels, or market trends.

C1.7 Based on your first scan, which country is the best option to export to?*

Explain your answer in one or two sentences. Note: This will be the country you continue working with in the next assignments.)

Optional. Which other sources have you been using for this assignment? Please specify.

Do you want to add any other information, relevant relevant to this assignment? If so, keep it short.

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One comment to “C1 | Market Analysis & Country Selection”

Edvard Spaapen says:

July 28, 2025 at 2:40 pm

C1 – Market Analysis

– Opdracht herbenoemd om ook de landkeuze expliciet te maken.
– Volledig herschreven, in lijn met CO23 en aangepast op vervallen bron (NL exporteert).
– Nieuwe hoofdbron voorgeschreven: OEC (Observatory of Economic Complexity).
– ECI (Economic Complexity Index) verplicht gesteld als indicator, met toelichting.
– Extra indicatoren (1–3), student maakt gemotiveerde keuze.
– Uploadinstructie aangescherpt en voorzien van voorbeeld.
– Formulier volledig herschreven in eenvoudig Business English.
– Tekstueel: duidelijker en iets compacter dan de oorspronkelijke versie.

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