Assignment Name: TRADE ME Exporter Survey

Country: Bangladesh

Client Name: University of College Dublin (UCD)

The “TRADE ME Exporter Survey” was a comprehensive data collection initiative designed to gather detailed insights into the operational dynamics, challenges, and opportunities faced by export-oriented enterprises in Bangladesh. The survey, managed by DM WATCH LIMITED, was conducted under the supervision of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) and the University College Dublin (UCD) Evaluation Team as part of a broader effort to understand and enhance trade mechanisms within the country. The TRADE ME was financed by

the survey sought to gather crucial data directly from business owners, directors, and board members through face-to-face interviews. This comprehensive survey was designed to enhance the evaluation team’s understanding of the business landscape, facilitating better-informed economic development strategies and interventions.

The survey targeted a diverse sample of 1,000 enterprises from up to 22 major cities in Bangladesh, reflecting a range of industries and business sizes. Data collection was conducted face-to-face at the enterprises’ premises using the KoboToolbox platform, ensuring high-quality, real-time data entry and minimizing errors. The survey aimed to capture a comprehensive snapshot of export activities, encompassing operational structures, decision-making processes, and trade challenges, while also exploring opportunities for capacity building and policy alignment.

The objectives included:

• Understanding the operational and strategic priorities of exporters.
• Identifying bottlenecks in trade processes.
• Informing evidence-based policy recommendations to enhance export performance.

Through rigorous data collection and management protocols, this initiative contributed to a more robust understanding of Bangladesh’s export landscape, supporting future trade development strategies.

DM WATCH team provided the following services:

Preparation and Planning:

• Coordinated with the BIDS/UCD Team to understand project requirements and finalized the operational plan.
• Obtained all necessary permissions and ensured compliance with local formalities for survey implementation, including insurance and tax arrangements for field personnel.

Survey Team Recruitment and Training:

• Recruited a team of experienced enumerators and supervisors with demonstrated capabilities in economic and business surveys.
• Conducted comprehensive training sessions, covering the survey objectives, questionnaire structure, KoboToolbox usage, data confidentiality, and strategies to minimize non-response rates.

Questionnaire Preparation and Testing:

• Translated the questionnaire into Bengali and formatted it for the KoboToolbox platform.
• Conducted a two-phase pilot test with 30 interviews, adjusting the questionnaire and field protocols based on the evaluation team’s feedback.

Data Collection Implementation:

• Deployed teams to conduct 1000 face-to-face interviews with business representatives, ensuring data collection adhered strictly to the prescribed methodology.
• Managed logistical support for survey teams, including transportation, per diem, and field-level coordination.

Quality Assurance:

• Established rigorous data quality control protocols, including real-time monitoring via KoboToolbox platform, to identify and address errors during data collection.
• Implemented a feedback loop for enumerators to rectify inaccuracies and improve interview techniques.

Data Management:

• Compiled and submitted weekly reports to the evaluation team, detailing survey progress, challenges encountered, and preliminary data summaries.
• Delivered raw data files in .csv format compatible with statistical software, ensuring proper documentation and respondent confidentiality.

Completion and Reporting:

• Successfully completed data collection for all 1,000 enterprises, ensuring adherence to timelines and quality standards.
• Prepared and submitted a comprehensive completion report, including an analysis of operational challenges and methodological insights.

This systematic approach ensured the successful execution of the TRADE ME Exporter Survey, providing high-quality data to inform strategies for enhancing export performance in Bangladesh.