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National and International Business News President's 2010 Trade Policy Agenda Focuses On Growing American Jobs Through New Market Access and Enforcing Trade Rules 2010 outlook promises to seize new opportunities, build on existing agreements to bring benefits of trade to American businesses and workers Washington, DC - United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk issued a statement upon the delivery to Congress of President Obama's 2010 Trade Policy Agenda and 2009 Annual Report. The United States Trade Representative is the President's principal trade advisor, negotiator and spokesperson on trade issues, and USTR is the lead agency responsible for the development of the President's Trade Policy Agenda, which by statute must be delivered to Congress by March 1 of each year. The Agenda and Report released today review the Administration's progress on trade issues and outline future objectives. The President has set a goal of doubling U.S. exports in the next five years to support another two million American jobs. The 2010 trade agenda explains how USTR will support this National Export Initiative through new market openings and trade enforcement, as part of a broader strategy that seeks to strengthen the global trading system and reflect American values as we uphold our commitments around the world.
Greater Philadelphia News Governor Rendell: $4.5 Million in New State Investments Help Manufacturers, Agri-Businesses Expand Operations, Create JobsHarrisburg, PA – Governor Edward G. Rendell today said new state investments will help an international company to locate in Chambersburg and companies in Northampton, Trevose and Philadelphia to expand and create new jobs. On March 4, the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority approved $4.5 million for the four projects in the form of low-interest loans that will leverage $5.6 million in private investments. “Making strategic investments in small businesses that create jobs is a solid investment for the commonwealth,” said Governor Rendell. “Even in a sluggish economy, we’re still able to encourage business to relocate here, expand their operations and create jobs by offering the vital investment capital they need to augment and leverage their own efforts.”
Partner News Secretary Locke Announces Expanded Commerce-UPS Partnership to Boost U.S. Exports, Support Job Creation Doraville, GA - On the heels of President Obama’s State of the Union pledge to double U.S. exports in the next five years, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and UPS CEO and Chairman Scott Davis announced today new steps in an expanded partnership between UPS and the Department of Commerce that is designed to increase U.S. exports among small and medium sized businesses. Locke and Davis also met with local business leaders to discuss the President’s National Export Initiative (NEI) and how it will help American companies become more competitive while supporting job creation here at home. In the coming weeks, UPS will identify small- and medium-sized companies that currently export to just one market. UPS will then analyze data about the companies and suggest new markets based on factors including industry, geography, currency, and market access opportunities. From there, the U.S. companies will be directly connected with trade specialists from the U.S. Commercial Service (USCS), a division of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. The trade experts, who are stationed in 77 countries around the world, will design targeted strategies to help identify new market opportunities and find additional buyers in existing markets to expand the companies’ ability to sell their products and services. Today, less than one percent of America’s 30 million companies export, a percentage that is significantly lower than all other developed countries. And of U.S. companies that do export, 58 percent export to only one country, and yet 95 percent of consumers reside outside our borders. Many small- and medium-size businesses don't export, or export less than they should, because they simply don't have the resources to identify promising new markets or the necessary contacts in foreign countries.
John A. Fry Named Drexel University's 14th President
Philadelphia, PA - Drexel University's Board of Trustees named John A. Fry as the University's 14th president today after a unanimous vote, announced Chairman Richard A. Greenawalt. Fry is currently president of Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. and a former University of Pennsylvania executive. He will begin his tenure at Drexel on August 1. “John Fry's entrepreneurial spirit, practical experience and strong sense of vision and leadership mirror Drexel's core values and are essential in continuing the University's upward trajectory,” said Greenawalt. “His impressive record of success at both Franklin & Marshall and the University of Pennsylvania will help seamlessly position Drexel for the future. On behalf of the Drexel Board of Trustees, students, faculty and staff, I welcome John to Drexel and extend our deepest gratitude to Chuck Pennoni for his tireless efforts in serving this great institution as interim president.”
Philadelphia Regional Port Authority Expansions: Philadelphia Regional Port Authority Welcomes Sea Star Line, LLC To Port of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA - John H. Estey, Esq., Chairman of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) is pleased to announce that Sea Star Line, LLC, a major carrier serving the US, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean region, will begin calling PRPA’s Tioga Marine Terminal in Northeast Philadelphia beginning in April. Sea Star Line will initiate a weekly ship call beginning on Friday, April 23, and expects to bring a ship to Tioga Terminal every Friday after that. Sea Star will handle a variety of containerized cargoes, as well as roll on/roll off cargoes. Tioga Marine Terminal is operated by Delaware River Stevedores, Inc.
WTCGP Member Of The Month David Michael & Co., Inc.
Location: Philadelphia, PA (Corporate Headquarters) Date Founded: 1896 # Employees: 250 Website: www.dmflavors.com David Michael & Co, Inc. was founded in 1896 with the initial concept to create a new whiskey that tasted like it had been aged. Over one-hundred years later, the product Old Time Body & Age® is still sold and the concept of innovating flavors still thrives. Offering over 40,000 custom flavors, David Michael is fully prepared to help customers “hit (their) flavor target faster.” The company is privately held and controlled by third generations of the Rosenbaum and Rosskam families and the management team sports a combined 250 years of industry expertise. A sound organizational structure supports the company’s 250 employees and several international facilities, which include Philadelphia, PA (headquarters), Northbrook, IL; San Bernadino, CA; Lerma, Mexico; Beijing, China; and Valence, France. Shifts towards consolidation and globalization throughout the food industry have been advantageous for David Michael. As the network of industry constituents tightens, there is more sharing of information, resources, technology, and trends. Recognized for its strong foothold in the industry and world-class standard “One World Service”, David Michael has been able to expand its business. Competing in and expanding international markets is integral to the company as greater than 70% of turnover comes from clients that they do business with in two or more countries. Tim Webster, Vice President of Global Business Development, remarked on the WTCGP’s involvement with expansions, in that: “The WTCGP has been a wonderful source of marketing information research for countries that are in our expansion. The time and resources that would be required to obtain this information on our own would make our further global expansion impossible.” Likewise, the WTCGP, among other trade organizations that the company is involved with, assists in maintaining international competitiveness. Involvement helps David Michael keep abreast of changing international laws and legislations, as well as, different cultural sensitivities. The ability to network and share lessons learned with others through WTCGP programs, the China Operations Club in particular, has given David Michael insight into the different cultures and business practices that are encountered in the different markets in which they operate.
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 Signature Event: 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 participate in the region's leading international business event of the year. Join fellow business leaders and the WTCGP in networking and recognizing the region's global success and the contribution of World Trade Centers to peace and stability through trade. Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available. For more information click here.
Workshop: Export Finance Workshop 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: Register at www.wtcphila.org. For more information contact:
Global Business Branding Lessons From Israel BNY Mellon Center Executives from or representing Israeli-based companies will share their insights on the most important factors to consider when a business brands internationally.
If you are affiliated with a business, small or large, product or service, early-stage or mature, that has a global presence or seeks one, this interactive, audience-friendly seminar is designed to help you evaluate the factors that are relevant to global branding initiatives:
Registration Required: Please contact America-Israel Chamber of Commerce: 215-790-3722 or aicc@greaterphilachamber.com. Cost: $25 AICC Members,
$35 Guests
Upcoming Trade Missions May 31-June 4, 2010, Poland and Russia
Upcoming Trade Shows April 12-16, 2010, Expomin - Santiago, Chile (Mining) |
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The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia provides a world-class portfolio of international trade services and key global connections to help the region's companies succeed in global markets, expanding the economic growth of the region as a whole. |
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