As we begin the New Year and decade, we are faced with challenges.  We have seen fundamental changes in the global economy which have affected both our businesses and our personal lives.  Today, more than ever, it is critical to keep on top of the rapidly changing competitive landscape.   Consider the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia your global business resource, offering programs and services that allow you to prosper in these challenging times.

Our 7th Annual Global Business Conference on February 3rd will provide you with an update on the global economic recovery and which industries are poised for growth. Hear from experts on which regions are recovering and hold the most potential for international trade.

We have a special opportunity for companies interested in tapping into the rapidly growing China market.  March 13-22, we are leading a trade mission to Shanghai and Beijing in conjunction with a Drexel LeBow College of Business Study Tour.  Company participants will receive free market research from LeBow MBA students and pre-arranged one-on-one business appointments with prospective business partners.  If you are interested in exporting, sourcing, or investing in China, this program designed to give you the essential tools and contacts to do so.

We launched our Export Finance Series in December to provide you with practical financial strategies to grow your international sales, especially important in today’s tight credit markets.  With commercial bank loans guaranteed by the Export-Import Bank of the United States, lenders are able to provide financing at competitive rates for working capital needed to fulfill export orders or to extend attractive rates to prospective foreign buyers.  Export credit insurance provides protection against buyer non-payment and gives you the ability to offer your customers term financing.  In short, the WTCGP, together with the Ex-Im Bank, and local partner banks PNC, The Royal Bank of Scotland, TD Bank, UPS Capital Business Credit and Wells Fargo Bank, will give you the financing tools to “close the sale.”  If you missed our December workshop, plan to attend our next Export Finance Workshop, which will be held April 15th in Chester County. 

Our resolution for 2010 is to grow. For us, that means “growing” the value and relevance of our programs; “growing” our contributions as a driver of the region’s economic prosperity; and “growing” the value proposition of WTCGP membership. The WTCGP is truly unique in the portfolio of services it provides small and medium-sized exporters and importers in the greater Philadelphia area. In 2010, we encourage you to know us and what we have to offer. 

Your membership in the WTCGP is an essential arrow in your quiver. In addition to discounts on registrations for our events or for market research, membership provides access to a network of over 300 world trade centers around the globe.  Become a member—it will be one of your best New Year’s resolutions!

Export Promotion Linked to Job Creation

Washington, DC - The important link between efforts to increase U.S. exports and economic recovery through job creation highlighted testimony at today’s Senate Finance Committee, Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness hearing.

Rochelle Lipsitz, Acting Assistant Secretary for Trade Promotion and Director General of the International Trade Administration’s (ITA) U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (CS) explained that Commerce Secretary Gary Locke is committed to increasing U.S. exports in the years and months ahead that will ultimately lead to creation of new high-paying jobs. 

“Secretary Locke strongly believes in the link between exports and U.S. jobs,” Lipsitz said. “In 2008, the United States exported an astounding $1.84 trillion worth of goods and services, and we estimate that close to 10 million U.S. jobs were required to produce and ship these exports. The potential to expand our nation’s export capacity and job creation is tremendous.” 

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Greek Firm to Open Solar Facility in Philadelphia Navy Yard Adding More than 400 Jobs in Region

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation and Select Greater Philadelphia worked with Greek solar panel firm, HelioSphera, to assure them that this region was the ideal location to open its $500 million solar manufacturing plant. The company – one of the world’s leading thin-filmed solar panel producers – will break ground this year and open its facility at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in 2011, adding 400 jobs in the region. 

“We welcome HelioSphera to the region,” said Rob Wonderling, president & CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the CEO Council for Growth. “Their decision to open a manufacturing plant here strengthens Greater Philadelphia’s capacity for alternative energy development. This locate was a great team effort and an important achievement for Philadelphia, the Commonwealth and the region.”

HelioSphera chose to locate at the Navel Business Center in Philadelphia after considering 35 sites in eight states. The company’s decision to move to Philadelphia came down to the region’s access to major academic institutions, a world class airport with strong service to Europe, a high quality workforce, an important incentive by the Commonwealth, and the City’s decision to extend Keystone Opportunity Zone benefits until 2025. 

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Ex-Im Bank Tops $70 Billion in Total Outstanding Credits, Reaches Highest Level Ever

Washington, D.C. - The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has topped $70 billion in total credits outstanding - the highest level in the Bank's 75 year history. This milestone was reached with the authorization of a $3 billion financing to support U.S. exports for a liquefied natural gas project in Papua New Guinea - the Bank's single largest transaction - also a record.

Since the fiscal year began on October 1, the bank has authorized $7.5 billion in transactions, compared with $1 billion for the same period last year. In fiscal 2009, the bank set a record of $21 billion in authorizations, and a record of $4.36 billion in authorizations for small business exporters. 

Ex-Im Bank's financings this year have been for U. S. businesses large and small in a wide variety of sectors, including satellites to provide telecommunications services in Eastern Europe and North Africa, the first export for a California-based wind turbine company, and an export of locomotives and mining equipment from companies in Illinois and Wisconsin to Canada. 

"Ex-Im Bank continues to provide a record-breaking amount of financing for American exporters," said Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. "We are stepping into the breach when traditional sources of capital are reluctant to offer financing."

Ex-Im Bank, an independent, self-sustaining federal agency, now in its 75th year, helps to create and maintain U.S. jobs by financing the sale of U.S. exports, primarily to emerging markets throughout the world, by providing loan guarantees, export-credit insurance and direct loans. 

Source: The Export-Import Bank of the United States (December 9, 2009)

Drexel University's LeBow College of Business

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Website: www.lebow.drexel.edu

Drexel University is one of the region’s premier institutions. Renowned for its academic excellence, Drexel is one of fewer than 50 private universities classified by the Carnegie Foundation as Doctoral/Research-Extensive.  Drexel’s LeBow College of Business is accredited by AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business—and is among the elite 20 percent of business schools to have earned this distinction. LeBow has been recognized by BusinessWeek, Financial Times, Entrepreneur magazine and The Princeton Review as one of the world’s top business schools.

LeBow College of Business integrates Drexel University's technological prominence with experience-based education to develop world-class leaders. We believe experiential education must be global in scope. Our global perspective is integrated into our educational and business outreach activities to exemplify how our students can deliver business for the greater good and truly become responsible global citizens. 

In support of this mission, LeBow College of Business is a proud partner of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, Inc. WTCGP connects the Philadelphia business community to the global trade environment and bolsters the region’s economic growth.

“Economic globalization presents a myriad of challenges and opportunities—regionally, nationally, and internationally—WTCGP is a superior resource to LeBow College of Business as we educate future business leaders to thrive in our increasingly global business environment,” says Dr. George Tsetsekos, Dean of LeBow College.

LeBow participates in the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia’s Export for Scholars Program designed to educate the next generation on the importance of international trade and cultural awareness.

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CEOs China Operations Club - U.S. Export Finance Initiatives in China

On December 2nd the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) hosted its last CEOs China Operations Club meeting for 2009. Focusing on U.S. Export Finance Initiatives in China, the meeting took place at Wachovia Bank’s (WTCGP Leadership Council Member) Branch Office in Philadelphia.

John A. McAdams, Senior Vice President, Export Finance Group of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im) shared his expertise on the Ex-Im’s activities in China. McAdams shared his wealth of knowledge, ranging from financial products and export transactions, to high-level negotiations with Chinese ministries.  The Ex-Im Bank helps U.S. exporters remain financially competitive by establishing framework agreements with Chinese agency counterparts and offering a comprehensive portfolio of financing tools.

McAdams’ comprehensive informative presentation and valuable input during the roundtable discussion was well received and helped stimulate dialogue amongst twenty-five CEOs' China Club Members.  CEOs’ China Operations Club meetings, such as this one, encourage conversation on relevant topics between members who have personally dealt with the Chinese market. Many looking to trade with Chinese companies gained valuable knowledge from the attendees’ experiences on the successful approaches of expanding their businesses into China. 

Pennsylvania Continues to Offer Market Access Grants

The Pennsylvania State Market Access Grant (MAG) will continue to be offered despite significant budget cutbacks.  The MAG is an opportunity for companies with less that $40 million in annual sales to apply for a maximum reimbursement of $3,000 to offset 50% of qualifying costs pertaining to an international business development initiative.  Qualifying initiatives include overseas trade shows, overseas trade missions, sales trips to a foreign market, or subscription to U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) services. 

Eligible companies in the Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties must apply through the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, the PA Office of International Business Development Regional Export Network partner for Southeastern Pennsylvania.  For more information or to apply, contact:

For Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties:
Ron Drozd
rdrozd@wtcphila.org
215-586-4240 x 122

For Bucks and Philadelphia Counties:
Dale Foote
dfoote@wtcphila.org
215-586-4240 x 117

Preparing for the Rebound: Strategies for Success in Global Markets

February 3, 2010

8:00am - 3:00pm

Behrakis Grand Hall in the Creese Student Union Complex

Drexel University

3210 Chestnut Street

Philadelphia, PA 19104

The 7th Annual Global Business Conference, "Preparing for the Rebound: Strategies for Success in Global Markets" will feature overviews on how the financial crisis has realigned regional economies and present strategies from companies that are prospering despite the challenging financial slowdown. This event is hosted by the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, in cooperation with Drexel University's LeBow College of Business. 

Speakers include: 

Walter Bastian, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce

Peter J. Fontaine, Shareholder & Co-Chairman, Energy, Environmental & Public Utilities Practice and Climate Change Practice, Cozen O-Connor

Bijan R. Kian, Member, Board of Directors, Export-Import Bank of the United States
Stephen Mullin, Senior Vice President & Principal, Econsult Corporation

Dr. George Tsetsekos, Dean, LeBow College of Business

Sponsors:

SAVE THE DATE for the:

2nd India Exchange Network Event

February 18, 2010

Counseling with PA Authorized Trade Representatives (ATRs)

March 10, 2010

8:30am - 4:00pm

Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC)

Eagleview Corporate Center

737 Constitution Drive

Exton, PA 19341

As the Regional Export Network Representative for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Center for Trade Development, the WTCGP is pleased to announce that on Wednesday March 10, the PA Authorized Trade Representatives (ATRs), from Australia (includes New Zealand), France (includes Belgium), Germany (includes Austria, and Switzerland), India, Israel (includes Egypt, Greece, Jordan and Turkey), Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Russia, Singapore (includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand), Spain, United Kingdom (includes Ireland and Scandinavia), United Arab Emirates (includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar), and Vietnam will be available to provide One-On-One counseling to qualified export ready companies. The one-on-one meetings are by appointment only and are limited to 3 appointments per company.

**Companies that plan to attend must schedule appointments BEFORE March 10. To schedule your One-On-One appointments, please contact one of the following WTCGP Trade Specialists:

For Chester, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties:
Ron Drozd
rdrozd@wtcphila.org
215-586-4240 x 122

For Bucks and Philadelphia Counties:
Dale Foote
dfoote@wtcphila.org
215-586-4240 x 117

Trade Mission to Shanghai and Beijing, China

March 13-22, 2010

The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) will lead a business development mission to Shanghai and Beijing in conjunction with Drexel University's LeBow College of Business. This Trade Mission to Shanghai and Beijing, both diverse hubs for both culture and business, will be a dynamic opportunity to explore the options of exporting, sourcing, and FDI in this prosperous market. 

Participants will receive:

• Free market research from Drexel LeBow MBA college students.
• Pre-arranged one-on-one business appointments with prospective business partners based on your criteria (minimum of 3 per country).
• Detailed information on prospective business partners.
• Identification of hotels, interpreters and drivers.

For more information, contact Andrea Townrow at 215-586-4242, atownrow@wtcphila.org.  

March 1-9, 2010, Melbourne and Sydney, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand

March 13-22 , 2010, Shanghai and Beijing, China

May 31-June 4, 2010, Poland and Russia

January 25-28, 2010, Arab Health-Dubai, UAE (Healthcare and Sciences)

April 15-18, 2010, Expomin-Chile (Mining)

Start enjoying the benefits of WTCGP membership today.

Become a Member...

February 3, 2010 -
"Preparing for the Rebound: Strategies for Success in Global Markets"

More Events...

Corporate Level

David Michael & Co., Inc.

Ultraflex System, Inc.

Small Business Members

Bentech, Inc.

Chiral Technologies, Inc.

Ingrassia Construction Co., Inc.