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Secretary Kerry Remarks on Asia Pacific and TPP

9/28/2016

News from the U.S. Department of State

On Wednesday, September 28, Secretary Kerry delivered remarks at The Wilson Center on the US relationship with the Asia Pacific region, highlighting the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement as a means to strengthen our critical partnerships in the region while cementing America's status as a world leader.

Secretary Kerry Remarks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership
The Trans-Pacific Partnership will reinforce our status as a world leader intimately connected to the dynamic economies of the Pacific Rim, the fastest-growing economies in the world. And it will help strengthen norms and standards that are important to us - not just to other people or to everyone else in the region, but important to every citizen in the United States of America.

Let me be clear: the reverse is also true. If we reject TPP, we take a giant step backward, we take a step away from this vital platform for cooperation, we take a step away from our leadership in the Asia Pacific, we take a step away from the protection of our interests and the promotion of universal values, we take a step away from our ability to shape the course of events in a region that includes more than a quarter of the world's population - and where much of the history of the 21st century is going to be written... View Full Transcript / Watch Video

2016 Bringing the World to Pennsylvania and Global Connections Reception Highlights

9/22/2016

2016 Bringing the World to Pennsylvania and Global Connections Reception Highlight Strength of the Region's Export Network

World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) organized a two-day series of export advising meetings, Bringing the World to Pennsylvania, on September 20 and 21. In these meetings, 56 Pennsylvania companies, including 22 first-time participants, were advised by 14 Authorized Trade Representatives (ATRs) who support trade in 46 different nations. There were more than 220 separate meetings over the two days, with multiple meetings between ATRs and companies based on the companies' preference for exploring export opportunities. One client noted, "We really enjoyed meeting with several of the knowledgeable ATRs with whom we look forward to working closely to help us expand our exports into some new overseas countries in the near future!"

Pennsylvania Authorized Trade Representatives (ATRs) and World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia trade experts held more than 220 meetings in Greater Philadelphia during the 2016 Bringing the World to Pennsylvania. Photo by William Struhs Photography.

As a culminating event for Bringing the World to Pennsylvania, WTCGP hosted Global Connections: The Greater Philadelphia International Reception, a networking event for the ATRs and more than 100 business, government and academic leaders celebrating the vitality of international trade and global business in the Greater Philadelphia region. Speakers at the event included Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney; Neil Weaver, Executive Deputy Secretary of the PA Department of Community & Economic Development; and Joe Burke, Deputy Secretary of the PA Office of International Business Development.

WTC Review | Philadelphia 2016 Issue No. 3

9/22/2016

Follow WTCGP updates, member highlights, trade and event announcements, special reports, and more with the latest WTC Review.

View WTC Review | Philadelphia 2016 Issue No. 3 Online

wtc_review_2016_issue_no_3.pdf
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PC Network Acquires Calleva Networks assets

9/20/2016

PC Network Inc. - a Bringing the World to Pennsylvania and Global Connections participant - is a customer focused technology infrastructure services company based out of Philadelphia and is assisted by World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia.

September 20, 2016, Philadelphia, PA, USA / London, UK – Calleva Networks Ltd., a UK-based IT services company, today announced the acquisition of key assets by PC Network (UK) Limited, an operating company of PC Network Inc. (PCN).

PCN delivers a comprehensive portfolio of DNS, DHCP, and IPAM (DDI) managed services and professional consulting to enterprises, service providers, system integrators, and VARs. Calleva Networks, a boutique IT services firm focused on DDI services and consulting in the UK, will strengthen PCN’s UK market presence and core DDI managed services offering.

“We are excited about this transaction. Calleva Networks is a great fit with our business,” said Katrin Hillner, PCN’s President & CEO. “Global demand for our services has made the addition of resources in the UK essential. We could not have found a better set of services and skills than what the Calleva Networks team brings our clients.”

Paul Roberts, Calleva Networks founder, is joining PCN’s leadership team and will provide a dedicated focus to PCN’s growing UK customer base. “PCN has a compelling service offering, global scale and a fantastic technical team well matched with our experience at Calleva Networks,” added Roberts.

The growing number and type of IP enabled devices and applications connecting to networks require the right tools to be used in the right ways to mitigate risk and complexity. DDI is foundational to delivery of critical network services protecting Domain Name System (DNS) infrastructure, automating cloud deployments, and increasing the reliability of enterprise and service provider networks around the world.

“We believe that Cloud transformations, DNS Security and the Internet of Things revolution will continue to create strong demand for our managed services, representing a significant growth opportunity for us in the UK ,” stated Shaun Antram, PCN’s founder. PCN has supported major UK multinationals for almost a decade and is well positioned with the acquisition of Calleva Networks to grow new business in the UK. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

View Full Press Release/Contact PCN

Sandmeyer Steel, A Heavyweight in the Specialty Steel Industry

9/19/2016

A heavyweight in the specialty steel industry, Sandmeyer Steel has produced stainless steel and nickel alloy plate products since 1952. These goods remain the company’s sole product. This focus has made Sandmeyer successful – the company is thriving in North America, where it stocks the largest and most extensive single-site stainless and nickel alloy plate inventory. In addition, Sandmeyer has expanded – at an impressively rapid pace – into the international market, selling its product in more than 48 countries in collaboration with ten global partners.

The core service offered by World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) – individual, customized trade counseling – provides member companies with expert advice on all aspects of international trade, including identifying appropriate business partners overseas, understanding foreign regulations governing international business, fielding often confusing paperwork required by other countries and connecting WTCGP clients with potential in-country customers and partners. This service is key to helping companies enter into or expand their international trade and export activities, leading to expanded business and revenue.

WTCGP membership has given Sandmeyer Steel an edge in navigating international economic conditions, political and trade policies that inevitably confront any U.S. exporter. “The WTCGP counselors guided us in our global expansion. They are professional, knowledgeable and incredibly responsive.”

If you had told me nine or ten years ago that we’d be doing business overseas, I would have told you that you were crazy. And yet today, we are all over the world.

Referring to Sandmeyer’s successful entry into international trade markets, the company’s Vice President of International Sales, John Curley, says, “If you had told me nine or ten years ago that we’d be doing business overseas, I would have told you that you were crazy. And yet today, we are all over the world.”

Sandmeyer’s initial foray overseas was into China. In a search for cost-effective trade counseling from experts with broad and deep knowledge of all aspects of global trade, John found the WTCGP. His company benefitted from trade support from WTCGP’s status as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Southeastern PA Export representative and introductions to the Pennsylvania overseas Authorized Trade Representatives (ATRs). Additionally, through Curley’s own connections, Sandmeyer began working in Mexico, Korea, India, the Middle East and Italy. However, in short order, the company sought out additional foreign markets in which to sell its stainless steel and nickel alloy plate products.

Over the past seven years, with help from WTCGP and the Commonwealth’s overseas Authorized Trade Representative Offices, Sandmeyer has broken into numerous markets in Europe, Asia and beyond, including Germany, Scandinavia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, Brazil, Taiwan and Singapore. John credits WTCGP’s events and programs, one-on-one trade counseling, trade missions and trade shows organized by the Commonwealth of PA for laying the groundwork for his company to grow revenue through international trade.

“We found trade missions organized by the Commonwealth of PA with assistance from WTCGP and PA ATRs to be enormously helpful,” John reports. “We participated with a WTCGP and PA overseas trade representatives in international trade missions to Australia, Brazil and Singapore. Trade reps from the WTCGP and PA ATRs helped set up meetings and interviews with potential business partners in these countries.”

Whether coordinating meetings at trade shows or trade missions, WTCGP uses its expansive network of more than 300 sister WTCs worldwide, the PA overseas ATR offices network and other worldwide partners to connect U.S. businesses with overseas companies that are potential partners. As John notes, “In these countries, WTCGP helped cut through the red tape to set up interviews that led to Sandmeyer expanding its business. The coordination and connections WTCGP provided were invaluable to the growth of my company.”

WTCGP programs and events, which provide timely and relevant information to U.S. business leaders either already doing or gearing up to do business overseas, also helped Sandmeyer in its quest to boost revenue through expanding markets overseas. “WTCGP offers a wide variety of events. The 2016 Annual Global Business Conference was particularly helpful. Between knowledgeable speakers, skilled moderators and relevant content, I learned more about international trade trends that are really helping me plan for the future of Sandmeyer Steel in global markets.”

We had to learn how to be an exporter, and WTCGP gave us the path to do that. Now we are able to deal with anybody in the world.

WTCGP’s mission – to counsel, connect and grow trade – is borne out in the story of Sandmeyer Steel’s success in many foreign markets. “Up until we really started all of this, our only export markets were Mexico and Canada. Now we are seeing inquiries from all over the world. We had to learn how to be an exporter, and WTCGP gave us the path to do that. Now we are able to deal with anybody in the world.”

Sandmeyer Steel Member Success Story by Patricia Keleman. Additional Success Stories: http://www.wtcphila.org/news/category/success-stories.

WTCGP and Pyramid Club are Partners – Benefits for Members

9/16/2016

WTCGP and the Pyramid Club, one of Philadelphia’s premiere private business clubs and social networking venues, have formed a new WTCGP member benefit program.

This program features a reduction in cost of Pyramid Club membership for WTCGP members, and more.

Preferred Member Offer for WTCGP Members

$100 initiation fee (standard initiation: $1000)
$124 monthly dues (standard monthly dues: $190)
Upgrade to Pyramid O.N.E. membership for access to special benefits at the Pyramid Club and other clubs, hotels and restaurants (nationally and internationally) for only $50 more. The O.N.E membership includes:
50% off dining at the Pyramid Club (members only)*
- Two (2) free rounds of golf at four (4) local courses (cart fees not included)
- Two (2) free meals at other participating business clubs monthly
- Two (2) free rounds at other participating country clubs monthly

*Eligible parties include primary holder plus one additional executive from each individual member company. If the primary holder is already a Pyramid Club member, this offer can be extended to another executive within the company. Primary holder benefits include children under 23 and spouse.

**Existing Pyramid Club members are not eligible.

To find out how to access this benefit contact the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia.

WTCGP was pleased to co-host an event with the Pyramid Club at the newly-renovated venue on August 4.

Future programming and educational programs are in the works.

This is a great benefit for WTCGP members – check out additional WTCGP benefits here.

MIDJersey Business Magazine September Issue: WTCGP, Guiding Global Growth

9/14/2016

MIDJersey Business Magazine September issue reveals how MIDJersey companies are going global and how trade groups like World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia can help small and medium-sized business owners reach new global markets.

A New Frontier
More MIDJersey Companies are Offering Their Producst and Services to a Global Market.
Here's How They're Doing It - And Where They're Going for Help

WTC: Guiding Global Growth (p.26)
By Marty Daks, MIDJersey Business Magazine September 2016

"During the next five years, 86 percent of global economic growth is expected to take place outside of the U.S.,” says Linda Conlin, WTCGP president. “That’s a big reason to look to diversify beyond the domestic market. This is being reinforced by the rise of the global middle income group of consumers outside of the U.S., who are expected to wield 70 percent of global purchasing power in the next few years."

View Digital Book
WTC: Guiding Global Growth p.26

EXIM Bank Reopens for Business in Argentina

9/14/2016

News from the Export-Import Bank of the United States

Washington, D.C. – Fred P. Hochberg, chairman and president of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), today announced in Buenos Aires that the Bank will resume offering short- and medium-term financing in Argentina after being closed to sovereign transactions for more than 15 years.

The opening, which applies to both Argentina’s public and private sectors, follows a U.S. Government interagency evaluation of country prospects, the results of which reflect an improved economic and financial environment in Argentina and therefore indicate better repayment prospects. Nearly 15 years have elapsed since EXIM was last open for sovereign transactions in Argentina.

“I am pleased to announce that, effective September 21, EXIM is open in Argentina,” said Chairman Hochberg. “This opening is due in large part to the meaningful reforms implemented by President Macri and the Government of Argentina. This is an opportune time for cooperation between U.S. and Argentine businesses, and EXIM stands ready to provide the financing necessary to facilitate mutually beneficial partnerships.”

As part of the change, the Bank will offer financing terms of up to seven years. Additionally, the Bank will consider supporting structured, longer-term financing.

In fiscal year 2015, EXIM approved $12.4 billion in total authorizations. These authorizations supported an estimated $17 billion in U.S. export sales, as well as approximately 109,000 U.S. jobs in communities across the country.

Argentina was once one of EXIM’s largest and most diverse markets. The Argentine economy holds opportunities in a range of sectors, including commercial, business, and agricultural aircraft; helicopters; farm, power, and medical equipment; and satellites.

At the same time, EXIM is well positioned to capitalize upon the momentum unleashed by Argentina’s recent efforts to promote renewable energy, and support hydroelectric, solar, and wind projects that are materializing throughout the country.

The Bank supported the construction of the Pan-American Highway in the 1940s and 1950s and backed the Entidad Binacional Yacyretá hydroelctric project in Corrientes in 1982.

About EXIM Bank

World Heritage City Strategic Plan for Philadelphia Released

9/9/2016

The strategic plan summarizes a series of bold aspirations that come with the city's new status.

Learn More

On November 6, 2015, Philadelphia proudly became a full member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC). The City of Philadelphia is the first and only World Heritage City in the United States.

Commerce Department Report Shows 63 U.S. Metro Areas Set Goods Export Records in 2015

9/8/2016

News from the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Commerce today released a new report that shows U.S. metropolitan areas exported more than $1.3 trillion in merchandise exports in 2015, accounting for 89 percent of all goods exported from the United States. The 2015 Metropolitan Area Export Overview states that 156 metro areas exported more than $1 billion of goods to consumers around the globe.

"In metropolitan areas from Abilene, Texas, to York, Pa., exports continue to be a source of growth for the local economy," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. "Exports from 119 metropolitan areas increased last year, leading to new records for places like Cincinnati, Las Vegas, and Sacramento. The Department of Commerce continues to focus its services on helping firms sell 'Made in America' products to global consumers, which will support additional growth and good-paying jobs."

Top 50 Metropolitan Area Exporters Ranked by 2015 Export Value

The report includes the following highlights:

The Houston-Woodland Hills-Sugarland metropolitan area was ranked No. 1 for the fourth consecutive year with total goods exports exceeding $97 billion.
New York-Newark-Jersey City; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim; and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin round out the top five metropolitan areas for goods exports.
The Houston, New York, Seattle, and Los Angeles metro areas each exceeded $50 billion of goods exports in 2015 for a fourth consecutive year.
El Paso, Texas, was the largest metro area to register double-digit export growth both in 2015 and from 2009-2015, shipping $24.6 billion in goods abroad in 2015. This represented a 22 percent increase from 2014, and a 217 percent increase from 2009.
Houston was the largest metropolitan area exporter of goods to potential Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) markets with goods exports totaling $36.2 billion in 2015.
There were 14 metro areas that exported more than $20 billion of goods in 2015.

Increasing exports has been a top priority of the Obama administration, and the Commerce Department has been a consistent partner in trying to keep businesses competitive by promoting the benefits of free trade agreements (FTAs). The agreements are a critical tool in helping U.S. exporters access the more than 95 percent of the world's consumers living outside the United States. Markets with FTAs in force accounted for more than half of total goods exports for 195 metropolitan areas.

Potential new trade agreement partners among the TPP markets were top destinations for 21 out of the top 50 metropolitan areas in 2015. TPP will level the playing field for American workers and U.S. businesses, by cutting more than 18,000 tariffs on Made-In-America products and instituting high standards in areas like labor and the environment that will make it easier for U.S. companies to sell their goods and services abroad.

For more information on the contributions of metro areas to U.S. exports, including fact sheets for the top 50 exporting metro areas, visit: http://www.trade.gov/mas/ian/metroreport.

Reading Sets Exports Record - Reading Eagle 9/8/2016

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