VideoRay has just completed the delivery and training of the largest fleet of Mission Specialist Systems (MSS) to the Indian Navy.  This system, built to custom and exacting specifications, was a prime example of the flexibility inherent in the implementation of Mission Specialist vehicles.  Final delivery acceptance and training occurred in March.
 
Read More / VideoRay News Feed (via videoray.com)

News from the Port of Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) today announced that it is rebranding as PhilaPort effective immediately.
 
On the threshold of an unprecedented era of expansion, The Port of Philadelphia is establishing a new brand identity that will bolster its national and international marketing efforts and position the Port as one of the most important trade gateways on the Atlantic seaboard.

People in the region and shippers across the globe will now know that gateway as PhilaPort.

"The name is short, clean and memorable, and it reflects very simply who we are and what we do," said Jerry Sweeney, PhilaPort chairman. "The name 'PhilaPort' helps distinguish us from the many other regional authorities and commissions as we seek to capitalize on the opportunities that will result from our expansion."

Read More (via philaport.com)

NATIONAL U.S.-ARAB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESS RELEASE ​

Washington, D.C. -- In an interview this weekend published by Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper about U.S.-Saudi economic relations during President Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, David Hamod, President & CEO of the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC), discussed the Kingdom's historical relations with the United States, its changing economic priorities and strategy, and opportunities for U.S. businesses in Saudi Arabia.
 
Q: What is your assessment of Saudi - American economic relations, and what is the main purpose of the U.S. business visit to the Kingdom?
A: For decades, America's commercial relations with Saudi Arabia have served as the bedrock of trade and investment with the Arab world. This special relationship is based on mutual interests and shared goals, and longstanding commitments from both sides have ensured a strong, steady, and stable partnership during even the most challenging times in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
 
This week's visit will help to forge personal and professional bonds between President Trump and Saudi Arabia's leadership. I believe that these new friendships will stand the test of time -- and politics -- to take the Saudi - U.S. relationship to the next level.

Many of our Chamber's companies will be in Saudi Arabia this week in conjunction with President Trump's visit. The presence of these companies in Riyadh should send a strong message that, in my opinion, the commercial relationship is every bit as important as the security relationship. In fact, over the long-term, the commercial relationship may be even more important because commerce is key to creating new jobs that will grow the economy in the Kingdom for decades to come.

Q: What is the size of U.S. exports to Saudi Arabia?
A: U.S. goods exports to Saudi Arabia dipped a little last year, to US $18 billion. This dip was consistent with the downturn in the global economy, exacerbated by relatively low oil prices, which had a dampening effect on some U.S. businesses. But for the most part, bad news was overshadowed by good news:

• The top two MENA export destinations - Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - accounted for nearly two-thirds of total U.S. goods exports to the 22 countries of the Arab world. This statistic highlights the importance of the Saudi market for the United States.

• In a review of top markets for U.S. products around the world, the MENA region was on par with Canada, to which U.S. exports dropped only five percent in 2016. U.S. exports to Russia and Australia, by comparison, dropped 18 percent and 11 percent, respectively.

 
In other words, despite the challenges in the Middle East last year, this region remained one of the most attractive and reliable markets for U.S. goods and services.
 
(NUSACC's analysis of U.S.-Saudi trade may be found HERE.)

Q: What does the future hold for the Kingdom and the USA, according to Saudi Vision 2030?
A: Historically, the Saudi - U.S. commercial relationship has been constructed on four pillars: Oil & gas, defense & security, infrastructure, and consumerism. The people of Saudi Arabia have trusted American brands for decades because these products are known for quality, value, and reliability.
These four pillars will continue to be important, of course, but Saudi Vision 2030 will encourage some significant changes:

• It will hasten Saudi Arabia's transition from a hydrocarbons-based economy to a knowledge-based economy.

• Such diversification will serve as a catalyst for what I call the "Quality of Life Sectors" that matter to every Saudi family: health care, education, housing, recreation & entertainment, tourism, and a forward-looking infrastructure (light rail, railways, airports, ports, roads, etc.).

• It will move away from the traditional model of consumerism - in which Saudis purchase goods produced by other nations - and place much more emphasis on partnerships that attract investment and stimulate research & development (R&D).

• No longer will the Government of Saudi Arabia serve as the engine of growth for the Kingdom. Instead, the focus will shift to the private sector, where businesses will become the new economic drivers. This is the type of system that we have in the United States, and President Trump is keen to partner with Saudi Arabia in this transition.

 
Saudi Vision 2030, in a word, is all about youth. Young men and women in Saudi Arabia represent the future of the Kingdom. As such, they need to cherish and protect their heritage while, at the same time, blaze new trails as entrepreneurs. They must also be invested in their communities through productive employment, which is why the Kingdom's new focus on small and medium-sized enterprises is so vitally important. In my humble opinion, no one in the world does entrepreneurship or community service as well as the Americans do, and we look forward to the opportunity to share our experience and expertise with our Saudi counterparts.
 
For more information on NUSACC and its mission, please click HERE.


The National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce, widely regarded as the voice of American business in the Arab world, is in touch with business communities across the United States and serves as the U.S. point of contact for the national chambers of commerce in the 22 Arab nations. On a daily basis, NUSACC works closely with leaders throughout the Arab world, as well as high-level decision makers in the U.S. business community, public policy research centers, multilateral institutions, nongovernmental organizations, media, and the U.S. Government.

Founded in 1981 by Terry Jacobs and Jamie Wyper, JacobsWyper Architects is an award-winning architectural, planning and interior design firm offering services which include: Architecture; Master Planning; Interior Design; Site and Building Analysis and Sustainable Design & LEED Certification. In 2014, SaylorGregg Architects joined JacobsWyper, a merger of firms alike in culture and complementary in project experience.

JacobsWyper projects around the globe inform those around the region, each adding to a knowledge base that is the source for new ideas and positive change in building design. For more information visit jacobswyper.com.

​On May 18th, the Philadelphia Business Journal reported that the Philadelphia Department of Commerce will be participating in a three week trade and investment mission to Asia beginning May 23rd. 

Our hats are off not only to Dan Fitzpatrick and our honorees, DFT Inc. and Destination Maternity, but also to all of you who supported us! Thank you! 

Now how do we top this? ​

CONGRATULATIONS HONOREES!

After September 11, 2001, the World Trade Centers Association, in cooperation with the United Nations, chartered a day to be recognized around the world as "World Trade Centers Day." Each year, the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia organizes an evening to celebrate the global achievements of regional companies and the contribution to economic growth and prosperity made by World Trade Centers throughout the globe. Past Honorees and Celebrations
​

​THANK YOU TO OUR WORLD TRADE CENTERS DAY 2017 SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS!

Gold

Silver

Wine & Spirits

Patron​

“Aviation drives $1.5 trillion - or 5.4 percent of G.D.P (Gross Domestic Product),” said Deputy Director Jaime Figueroa of the FAA Tech Center. “SARTP is positioned to leverage the economic possibilities of aviation.” He added, “The money that’s earned here will be spent here.”
 
“This is just the beginning of Atlantic County’s future,” said County Executive Dennis Levinson, adding that tourism and gaming are still important but economic diversification is necessary. “This is why we put our money where our mouth is.”

The Atlantic County Improvement Authority (ACIA) helped to provide financing for the building, which is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2018, said John Lamey, the ACIA’s executive director.                                                                                               
 
Stockton President Harvey Kesselman said the research park is a collaboration “between the academy and industry,” offering Stockton and other universities opportunities in research and education.
 
“We consider this project to be a central instrument for change,” Kesselman said, adding that Stockton’s commitment to the project “will be unwavering.”
 
All the speakers noted that the project has been a decade in the making, and cited the strong partnerships and determination needed to bring it to fruition. Howard Kyle, Levinson’s chief of staff, was singled out for praise, though Levinson joked, “That doesn’t mean you’re getting a raise, Howard.”
 
Edward H. Salmon, president of the SARTP Board of Trustees, said it took five partners to make this work:

• Congressman Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd,  chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee;
• Atlantic County government, including the executive, chief of staff, the ACIA and the freeholders;
• Stockton University and President Kesselman;
• The FAA Tech Center;
• The Stockton SARTP board and staff, along with partners such as the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, the N.J. Economic Development Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority.

​Levinson also recognized Ambassador and former Congressman William J. Hughes, for whom the Tech Center is named, and LoBiondo, saying, “I don’t know where we would be without the two of them.”
 
LoBiondo said the SARTP is “a guarantee of opportunity which we have not had up to this point.” He praised Levinson as “a visionary always looking forward to what’s best for Atlantic County and the region.”
 
He also thanked Kesselman and Stockton for “stepping up in a way no other organization in the area could have done;” Joseph Sheairs, the SARTP’s former executive director, for his work in making construction of the first building a reality; and Kyle and his own chief of staff, Maryannie Harper, for a decade of work.
 
The congressman said the Tech Center will provide “cutting edge” expertise and research, “all right here.”
 
He introduced his fellow congressman, Democrat Rick Larsen of Washington’s 2nd District and the ranking member of the House aviation committee which LoBiondo chairs. Larsen said he represents 23,000 Boeing employees who live in his district and another 7,000 who work there. He is visiting South Jersey to learn more about the connections between the FAA Tech Center’s work and his district.
 
Larsen said the FAA staff is working on aviation cybersecurity and unmanned aircraft systems and how they will be used by businesses such as Amazon to deliver products. “Commercial space is literally the next frontier in the FAA’s world,” he said.
 
Stockton and the SARTP are members of the Virginia Tech team known as the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) chosen by the FAA to help with the testing of drones under the federal government's plan to commercialize unmanned aircraft systems over the next several years. Staff at the FAA also has a key role developing the NextGen system that will switch the nation’s air traffic control from a radar-based system to a satellite-based system.
 
The SARTP building was designed by AECOM, a multinational engineering firm with headquarters in Los Angeles which repeatedly has been ranked #1 in Engineering News Record’s “Top 500 Design Firms.” Command Company, Inc. of Egg Harbor City, N.J., is the general contractor, and the facility is being built by Hessert Construction Group LLC, of Marlton, N.J.
 
John Wiley and Joe Salvatore, both experienced leaders in aviation, have been named interim director of the SARTP as a team. A national search for a new, permanent director will be conducted.
 
For more information, visit:  stockton.edu/sartp/

After September 11, 2001, the World Trade Centers Association, with support from the United Nations, chartered a day to be recognized around the world as "World Trade Centers Day." For more than a decade, Greater Philadelphia has marked World Trade Centers Day by recognizing the contributions of world trade centers toward peace and prosperity, and by saluting regional business leaders and companies whose global success enhances the economy of the region.

This year, World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia brings the celebration to The National Constitution Center on Independence Mall and honors 2017 Global Business Leadership Award recipient Dan Fitzpatrick of Citizens Bank, and 2017 Companies of the Year DFT® Inc. (PA) and Destination Maternity Corporation (NJ). Learn More