Everyone’s looking for that gap in the market, the one idea that leads to untold wealth and glory.

Here’s the bummer, though – in a country like South Africa, even with a population approaching 60 million, the market is somewhat limited. You might think you have that idea, that product, but if one in 1 000 people buy what you’re selling that’s 60 000 sales.

That’s why people dream of cracking the Indian market, because if you get something right you’re rolling in the dough.

Apply those same numbers to India’s population, estimated at around 1,35 billion – if one in 1 000 people has that need, you’re reaching 1,35 million customers.

Of course if it was so simple we’d all be doing it, but for a little inspiration we did a little digging into what the top import ideas might be.

Electrical machinery and equipment

The demand is booming in India for electrical machinery and equipment, as well as their spare parts and accessories. These include sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders, and parts. If you can afford the huge capital required, you can make lots of profit importing these products into India.

Pharmaceutical products

Although natural and alternative health has taken a large chunk of medicine in India, the demand for pharmaceutical products is still on the high side. There are pharmaceutical industries in India, but there are still many needs unfilled by these companies. This leaves open a window of opportunity for importers of pharmaceutical products that are in huge demand.

Live trees and other plants

Due to the rapid urbanisation going on in India, many natural resources, particularly agricultural assets, are destroyed on a daily basis. Conversely, however, the demand for live trees, bulbs, roots, cut flowers, and ornamental foliage has remained on the high side.

So, if you have a good background in handling plants, you can make lots of profit by importing plants and trees that are in huge demand in India.

Import of seafood

Tonnes of seafood, such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and so on are consumed in India on a daily basis. Ironically, however, indigenous suppliers cannot cater to the huge demand for these products, leaving open a window of opportunities for importers of seafood.

Having access to any of those aforementioned potential imports is great, but then there’s all the horrors that come with exporting and importing products.

Customs clearance, warehousing, freight insurance, the delivery process – these are just some of the potential stumbling blocks.

So how do you solve all that when it’s not your area of expertise? Simply, really, you hand it over to Berry & Donaldson.

They’ll assist you as an importer or exporter in your dealings with airlines, shipping companies, and customs related processes as well as warehousing, insurance, cargo deliveries.

In other words, all that stuff no one wants to handle.

And what should you do with all the time you’ve saved? You’re a billionaire now, you do whatever the hell you want.

Don’t forget who gave you your big break.

[sources:mtbi&99bi]