The Center for the Promotion of Imports (Dutch: Centrum tot Bevordering van de Import uit ontwikkelingslanden) from developing countries (internationally known by its Dutch acronym CBI), an agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, was established in 1971.
The primary clients and direct beneficiaries of CBI are (1) Exporters: companies who (wish to) export to Europe, (2) Business Support Organizations (BSOs) in developing countries, and (3)Importers / Outsourcers: companies in Europe who (wish to) buy from developing countries.
It has an online facility that links well-versed suppliers in developing countries eligible for CBI assistance to reliable importing companies in the EU.
CBI provides training for exporters and business support organizations on among others general export marketing and management, trade promotion, management of international trade fair participations and developing client-oriented market information systems.
CBI is also involved in institutional support for capacity building for selected business support organizations in export marketing and management, market information systems, institutional development and export diversification.