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| Deputy Secretary Hightower Speaks at WTCGP Signature Event On February 3rd, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Dennis F. Hightower reiterated President Obama’s call to double exports over the next five years to an audience of area exporters, government leaders, and members of the academic community at the WTCGP’s 7th Annual Global Business Conference (GBC) held each year at Drexel University.
Anthony Bortolomeo, Chairman, WTCGP Board of Directors, Deputy Secretary Dennis F. Hightower, Mayor Michael Nutter, City of Philadelphia, Dr. George Tsetsekos, Dean, LeBow College of Business, and Linda Conlin, President, WTCGP Deputy Secretary Hightower identified five key Department of Commerce strategies to accelerate export growth: a renewed focus on the promotion of US business around the globe, business visa reform to remove obstacles for foreign partners seeking to do business here, a strategy to streamline an antiquated and cumbersome export control system, strengthening intellectual property protection to stem the $200 billion plus of losses suffered by US companies each year due to theft of intellectual property, and emphasizing within every federal department the need to promote and facilitate exports. |
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National and International Business News Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Unveils Details of the National Export Initiative Washington, DC - Commerce Secretary Gary Locke unveiled details of President Obama’s National Export Initiative (NEI) at a luncheon today at the National Press Club. During last week’s State of the Union speech, the president announced a goal of doubling exports over the next five years to support two million jobs in America. Locke detailed how the Export Initiative will help the country reach that goal—providing more funding, more focus and more cabinet-level coordination to grow U.S. exports. The NEI represents the first time the United States will have a government-wide export-promotion strategy with focused attention from the president and his Cabinet. Greater Philadelphia News 8 Pennsylvania Healthcare Companies Exploring New Business Opportunities in Middle EastArab Health Exhibition & Congress is the largest healthcare exhibition in the Middle East, and the second largest in the world. Established 35 years ago, it provides a platform for the world’s leading manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors to meet the medical and scientific community in the Middle East and beyond. Thanks to the World Trade PA program, Pennsylvania was able to host eight companies at the Pennsylvania pavilion at the show held in Dubai from January 25-28, 2010. Preliminary reaction to the show indicates Pennsylvania companies received very strong interest for their products from Arab buyers at the show.
Tim Clark, Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing for Precision Medical, Northampton, Pennsylvania is greeted by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at the 2010 Arab Health Exhibition and Congress. In 2009, nine Pennsylvania companies concluded successful export deals as a direct result of their participation. Sales of more than $11 million have been realized by Pennsylvania companies who have participated in the show with the Commonwealth since 2007. 2010 participating Pennsylvania companies included Devon Medical, Inc. from Montgomery County, ETC Biomedical Systems Group, Gentell and Key Instruments from Bucks County, Precision Medical from Northampton County, UE Life Sciences from Philadelphia, United Metal Fabricators, Inc. from Cambria County, and Xodus Medical from Westmoreland County. Based on (the Commonwealth's) positive experience the two previous years, (the Commonwealth) plans to return to Arab Health in Dubai in 2011. Source: DCED's Office of Interantional Business Development (February 5, 2010) Partner News Governor Rendell: $5.7 Million Investment in Nanotechnology will Build Upon Research, Harrisburg, PA– Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced a $5.7 million investment that will expand
upon university research efforts, bring new products to the marketplace, and educate the next generation
of high-tech workers. The funds, approved by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority at its quarterly meeting today, will help to strengthen Pennsylvania as a leading nanotechnology state and lay the groundwork for continued progress once the economy rebounds. WTCGP Member Of The Month TD Bank, N.A. Location: More than 1,000 locations from Maine to Florida Date Founded: 1852 Website: http://www.tdbank.com/
TD Bank is one of the 15 largest banks in the United States with over $142 billion in assets and more than 1,000 retail locations located from Maine to Florida. TD Bank is the recipient of the J.D. Power & Associates award for customer satisfaction for four years in a row. Providing a full range of financial products and services, TD Bank equips businesses with financing required for growth and prosperity. Global Trade Finance services include support for importers and exporters by providing letters of credit, standby letters of credit, foreign guarantees, and documentary collections. Medium- and long-term export financing with support from the U.S. Import Export Bank and Foreign Export Credit Agencies are also provided. TD Bank’s Global Trade Finance Group works with clients around the world, focusing strategically on markets from offices in key financial centers including Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, New York, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and representative offices in Shanghai and Mumbai. A Platinum sponsor of the WTCGP Export Finance Initiative, TD Bank, supports the WTCGP mission of fostering economic prosperity through international trade. The Export Finance Initiative is a series of workshops that increase exports by providing critical information on financing and insurance programs that assist businesses towards a secure point of sale. The partnership with this WTCGP program exemplifies TD Bank’s commitment and support for international business. WTCGP News 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: Upcoming Events 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:
Vickers International Day 2010 is the Chester County International Business Council's (CCIBC) annual celebration of the growth and success of international business in Chester County. Join the CCIBC for hors d'oeuvres and cocktails for a networking reception with Pennsylvania's 14 Authorized Trade Representative (ATRs) from the following countries: Australia, India, Korea, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, France, Israel, The Netherlands, Spain, Vietnam, Germany, Japan, Russia, United Kingdon. The ATRs are able to provide a valuable service to local companies and are immensely helpful in developing overseas markets. The event is made possible by sponsors Fulton International Group, Gawthrop Greenwood PC, and Metallurgical Products Company. To register, click here.
Penn State Great Valley Campus Who Should Attend: What You Will Learn:
The WTCGP has gathered national and regional experts in trade finance, as well as local companies willing to share their success stories, all to provide your company with practical strategies to grow your international sales. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear presentations from and interact with senior representatives from the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the region’s leading trade finance lenders, including:
You Will Receive: Take advantage of the early-bird registration discount of $35 for WTCGP Members or $50 for Non-Members before March 25th at www.wtcphila.org. For more information contact:
WTC Day Dinner Park Hyatt at the Bellevue Governor Rendell has been invited to receive the “Global Business Leadership Award” this year, in recognition of his outstanding record of achievement in advancing economic growth and jobs through international trade. Pending his schedule, we hope he will be able to join us at the event. Schramm, Inc. will be honored with the Member of the Year Award at this annual event. Mark your calendar today to join the WTCGP in networking, socializing, and celebrating the mission of the World Trade Center Association to support peace and prosperity through global trade. Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available. For more information click here. Upcoming Trade Missions 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 Upcoming Trade Shows April 12-16, 2010, Expomin - Santiago, Chile (Mining) |
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