BASSETT'S ICE CREAM PRESS RELEASE 

 Bassett’s Ice Cream Company, a fifth-generation family business since 1861, has successfully opened its first store in Seoul, South Korea and is now looking for opening 30 additional stores within this year.  Bassett’s Ice Cream, located in Philadelphia, is a full-service frozen dessert distributor, offering over 100 flavors.

OIBD’s Korea Office has been working together with Bassetts’ Ice Cream-Korea Office since 2016 to meet with the local rules and regulations in Korea, including its manufacturing facility registration at the Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. On June 7th, the delegation from Pennsylvania DCED, City of Philadelphia, Team Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Orchestra attended the grand opening of the first store of Bassett Ice Cream.
 
Bassett’s Ice Cream Korea targets for opening additional 15 stores nationwide by the end of August to fulfill the demands of Korean consumers’ premium ice cream, which will certainly increase the shipments from Philadelphia, PA to South Korea. Read More
 
*Picture: Grand Opening ceremony on June 7th, there are several recognizable people attended to celebrate a new journey for Bassett’s Korea. Michael Strange (President of Bassett’s Ice Cream), the City of Philadelphia (Harold Epps – Deputy Mayor for Commerce and Sylvie Howard), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania OIBD (Ken Yang and Mike O’Rourke), Team Pennsylvania Foundation (Lindsay Helsel), the Agricultural Trade Office of the U.S Embassy in Seoul (Lynn Larrabe – Director)

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Today, it was announced that Greater Philadelphia has been selected to join a group of eight city-regions seeking to amplify the impact of trade strategies through new research and problem-solving that will determine how city-regions can best prioritize and execute economic partnerships with international metro counterparts. This new effort builds upon Philadelphia’s prior participation in the Global Cities Initiative (GCI), a joint project of Brookings and JPMorgan Chase, which included developing a regional export strategy.
 
“Even with strong trade and investment strategies, all metros face resource and capacity constraints to engaging internationally. In the global market haystack, metros need tools to focus on where they are most likely to find the needles,” said Marek Gootman, Brookings fellow and director of strategic partnerships and global initiatives. “We selected this diverse group of metros to test new approaches to identify, prioritize, and structure economic connections with specific foreign counterparts for maximum returns.”
 
Selected by Brookings through a competitive application process, Greater Philadelphia will join Atlanta, Columbus, Louisville/Lexington, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, and Wichita in producing a locally-tailored market prioritization assessment, and initiating or expanding at least one metro-to-metro collaboration.  These activities will yield an approach that can be replicated by other metropolitan areas.
 
“It is an honor for Philadelphia to be selected for this new phase of the Global Cities Initiative,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “The economy becomes increasingly global with each day that passes, and in order to remain competitive, our city and region must identify ways in which we can more strategically focus our efforts internationally. Philadelphia’s participation in the Global Cities Initiative will allow the region to examine our existing economic strengths and opportunities for growth, while simultaneously identifying key markets around the globe where we can create or expand partnerships.”
 
The GCI metros will test a new evidence-based methodology to prioritize international markets for high-potential economic relationships. Through an assessment, each metro area will identify existing and potential market connections, sector synergies, and growth trends. Additionally, the cohort will examine different models to operationalize international metro–level economic partnerships targeted through prioritization, exploring bilateral and multi-lateral sector, geographic, and intermediary relationships. 
 
“The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia is pleased to join Greater Philadelphia's regional leaders in this important GCI learning cohort that will take our metro export plan to the next level, identifying best markets and global partners, and tapping into the extensive network of world trade centers worldwide,” added Linda Conlin, President, World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia.
 
Since its launch, the Global Cities Initiative (GCI) has raised awareness about the importance of international economic connections and competitiveness for growth and job creation, and spurred dozens of metropolitan areas to reorient their economic strategies toward engaging world markets. GCI has become a hub for coalitions of metro leaders across public, private, and civic sectors to connect with their counterparts for peer learning, problem-solving, and economic collaboration.
 
“Greater Philadelphia is a truly global region, and we’re delighted it’s getting this critical support to further develop international growth strategies,” said Mark Schrieber, Managing Director and Region Manager, JPMorgan Chase. “We must look beyond our metro area for growth opportunities; this effort will create international economic connections for local businesses and greater economic opportunity for all residents.”
 
The regional project team includes the City of Philadelphia, Select Greater Philadelphia Council, World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, and Temple University’s Fox School of Business.
 
Participation in the Global Cities Initiative will allow Greater Philadelphia to build on other ongoing efforts with an international focus. In 2016, the region worked with the Brookings Institution to release its three-year metro export plan, which identified several goals to create a more dynamic export economy. Just last month, City officials convened a group of local business and economic development leaders to begin building out a plan for more effective, cohesive marketing  of the region for business and talent attraction.
 
To learn more about the Global Cities Initiative, visit https://www.brookings.edu/project/global-cities/ or www.jpmorganchase.com/globalcities.

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A member of the Senior Foreign Service, with tours of duty in major U.S. embassies around the world, Ambassador Allen also served as U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia and later China, as well as being posted at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.  Ambassador Osius served at posts in India, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. (See attached bios).
 
Over 33 international companies and organizations attended, representing a broad cross section of the region’s major exporting sectors, including health, aviation, food export and higher education.
 
The Ambassadors’ visit is part of a U.S. tour and an opportunity to expand trade with one of the most rapidly growing regions in the world and to further discussion on the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) trade agreement.  Both Ambassadors spoke compellingly on TPP, noting that TPP countries currently account for 40% of global trade, with the agreement eliminating customs duties on exports for  major sectors in  the region.  (See attached TPP info from US Department of Commerce and USDA).
 
The discussion centered on significant opportunities for area businesses and institutions in various categories including: Health, Higher Education, Energy and Suppliers/Precision Manufacturing, Aviation/Helicopters, Smart Cities Technology and Entrepreneurship.   According to Ambassador Allen, Brunei has extensive off-shore oil and gas drilling operations that require helicopter support and represent an opportunity for our energy suppliers and aviation sector.  Over 19,000 students from Vietnam are currently enrolled in U.S. institutions of higher learning, with Ambassador Osius underscoring the significant opportunity for the U.S. to build important commercial and cultural ties, citing a recent survey where over 92% of respondents selected the United States as Vietnam’s favored country.  
 
Philadelphia’s legendary Bassetts Ice Cream, currently exports ice cream to China, and President Michael Strange has interest in expanding to additional markets like Vietnam.
 
According to Linda Conlin, President of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, “At the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, we seek to offer our members timely information and important international connections to accelerate their global growth.  At this time of national and local debate on trade, these senior diplomats identified specific export opportunities in their countries and articulated concrete TPP benefits to area companies that will increase business and economic growth and jobs for our communities.”

​​PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Philadelphia Commerce Department, the Office of Immigrant Affairs and the Office of the City Representative this week hosted Québec Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie Christine St-Pierre for the first “Québec Day in Philadelphia.”   Co-organized by the City of Philadelphia, the Québec Government and the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, the full-day event was designed to strengthen economic and political ties between the Province of Québec (Canada) and Pennsylvania, and particularly Philadelphia.

Immigration Roundtable
Québec Day in Philadelphia kicked off with a roundtable discussion on Pennsylvania and Québec’s experiences in working with community and economic development organizations to attract immigrants and promote their professional integration. With a view to share best practices, Minister St-Pierre and the Director of Immigrant Affairs Miriam Enriquez delivered opening remarks.  The President and CEO of the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians Peter Gonzales moderated the ensuing discussion with panelists from the Office of Immigrant Affairs, City of Philadelphia, Nationalities Service Center, the City of Montreal and the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.

“The Office of Immigrant affairs was honored to take part in the first ever Québec Day in Philadelphia, which saw a number of events take place around the city, all with the objective of strengthening commercial, cultural and educational relations between Québec and Pennsylvania,” said Miriam E. Enriquez, Director of Immigrant Affairs at the City of Philadelphia.  “At the morning immigration round table event, it was great to share experiences and learn from each other on how to successfully integrate immigrants into the economic, cultural and civic fabric of our cities.”

Pennsylvania-Québec Business Luncheon
A luncheon, co-organized by the Québec Government Office and the World Trade Center of Philadelphia, was held at the Union League of Philadelphia where both Pennsylvania Secretary of Community and Economic Development Dennis M. Davin and Minister St-Pierre addressed the business community on opportunities to further expand the already strong trade ties between Pennsylvania and Québec and the economic benefits to both regions that would result.

“I want to thank the City of Philadelphia and the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia for helping to make the first Québec Day in Philadelphia such a success,” said Québec’s Delegate General Jean-Claude Lauzon.  “Our goal was to raise awareness of the ample opportunities for increased trade and partnerships. I think we have accomplished that today, but Québec will be back and will continue to be committed to making this relationship grow further.”

“The Department of Commerce was honored to work with the Québec Government Office to organize Québec Day in Philadelphia,” said Harold T. Epps, Commerce Director at the City of Philadelphia.  “Bilateral trade between Québec and PA totaled $3.7 billion in 2015.  We want to have Philadelphia play a central role in increasing that number. The various events that took place on Québec Day are all part of that effort.”

“Connecting companies with promising market opportunities to grow their business globally supports the mission of The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia,” said Linda Mysliwy Conlin, President of the World Trade Center of Philadelphia.  “We were pleased to work with the Québec Government and the City of Philadelphia in bringing together business and government leaders from both regions to identify and pursue best opportunities for increasing trade and investment.“

Minister St-Pierre later attended a special event at the Henry C. Lea Elementary School that highlighted the school’s French language program and partnership with the Québec Government Office in New York and a sister school in the City of Magog, Québec.

Flag Raising and Ceremony at City Hall
Québec Day in Philadelphia concluded with a flag raising ceremony and networking reception at City Hall. 

“It was a privilege for the Office of the City Representative to take part in the celebration of Québec Day in Philadelphia,” said Sheila M. Hess, City Representative at the City of Philadelphia.  “Québec Day highlighted the historic Québec-Philadelphia relationship, strengthened our bond as proud World Heritage Sites, and provided an invaluable opportunity for our City’s business, academic, and cultural representatives to explore the potential for new partnerships and exchanges with the Québec Delegation.”

Québec Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie Christine St-Pierre and PA Secretary of Community & Economic Development Dennis Davin promote bilateral trade
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Philadelphia, PA, USA - Today, June 21, the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) and the Québec Government Office in New York, will host a luncheon at the Union League featuring Québec Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie Christine St-Pierre and Pennsylvania Secretary of Community and Economic Development Dennis Davin. Accompanied by a Québec trade delegation with representatives from the construction and green building sectors, Minister St-Pierre will join Secretary Davin to discuss opportunities to further expand the already strong trade ties between Pennsylvania and Québec and the economic benefits to both regions that would result.

​“We are delighted to partner with the Québec Government and the City of Philadelphia to celebrate and grow trade between Québec and the Greater Philadelphia Region,” said Linda Conlin, President of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia. “This luncheon will give companies of all sizes a sense of how trade with Québec, across diverse growth sectors, could provide new revenue streams for their businesses. This event is a great example of how WTCGP provides businesses with educational and networking forums to accelerate their global business growth.”

​“Bilateral trade between Pennsylvania and Québec stands at $3.7 billion but there are more opportunities for increased cross-border trade in key sectors such as life sciences, construction and green building, transportation and aerospace,” said Delegate General Jean-Claude Lauzon. “Often the largest barrier to trade is the lack of awareness of the available opportunities. My hope is that Québec Day in Philadelphia will help remedy that and deepen mutually beneficial ties.”
​
The luncheon is one of three events celebrating the occasion of the first “Québec Day in Philadelphia.” Co-organized by the City of Philadelphia, the Québec Government and WTCGP, the roster of events aims to strengthen economic and political ties between the two regions. Other events on the schedule for June 21 include an immigration roundtable discussion and a special gathering at the Henry C. Lea Elementary School, which will highlight the school’s French language program and partnership with the Quebec Government. To cap off Québec Day in Philadelphia, a flag raising and evening reception will be held at City Hall.

Québec-Pennsylvania Trade
With bilateral trade between Pennsylvania and Québec at $3.7 billion in 2015, Pennsylvania is Québec’s 4th largest trading partner in the United States. Top Québec exports to Pennsylvania include aluminum, chocolate and chemical wood pulp, and Pennsylvania exports mostly cocoa paste, oil and paperboard products to the province. Québec companies with a strong presence in Pennsylvania include Bombardier, SNC Lavalin, Saputo, Aldo, Group CGI, Leclerc, Alimentations Couche-Tard (Circle K),  Cascades and Domtar, while Alcoa, Ametek and Hershey are some Pennsylvania corporations with significant operations in Québec.
   
About the Québec Government Office in New York
Founded in 1940, the Québec Government Office in New York is Québec’s oldest foreign office. Serving the Mid-Atlantic region, it promotes the interests of Québec in in the areas of trade, investment, research and innovation, education and culture.
​
About the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia
The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP), a non-profit and membership - based organization, accelerates global business growth for companies in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey by providing customized, one-on-one trade counseling, market research, educational programs, trade mission support, business networking events, and powerful connections to customers and partners worldwide, including 325 world trade centers in 92 countries. Since 2002, the WTCGP has served as a catalyst for regional economic growth and job creation, helping area companies generate over $1.5B in incremental export sales, supporting over 19,000 jobs in the region.

Philadelphia, PA, USA - On June 2, 2016, the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) hosted a breakfast meeting at the Philadelphia law offices of White & Williams LLC (a WTCGP Leadership Council Member) for a delegation of numerous officials from Tianjin, China. ​

Tianjin and the Binhai New Area
Located in northern coastal China, Tianjin has a total population of more than 15 million people, making the municipality the fourth largest in China. Tianjin is fast becoming a hub city for international shipping and logistics, manufacturing and research and development. Created in 2009, Tianjin Binhai New Area is located in northeast China, in the coastal region of the Tianjin municipality and has been designated by the Chinese government as a special development zone. The area includes a Free Trade Zone, an international seaport, and an international airport. It is a 30 minute high-speed train ride from Beijing. There are 141 Global 500 companies with operations in Binhai New Area. Major sectors are: aerospace, petroleum chemical, electronic information, automobile, biological medicine, new energy, grain and oil textile, and finance.

On Wednesday, May 25, 2016, organized by the White House Business Council, senior White House and Administration Officials provided an update on current and prospective business opportunities available with the restoration of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba. Nearly 200 businesses and representatives from business organizations from throughout the country were in attendance, representing diverse sectors of the economy, from agriculture and construction and engineering to energy and healthcare.   
 
Attendees were briefed by senior Administration officials from Departments directly responsible for overseeing the application of current U.S. – Cuba policy. These included officials from the U.S. Departments of State, Treasury, and Commerce. These representatives underscored that the trade embargo remains in place; however, since President Obama’s announcement of the normalization in relations in December, 2014, there have been changes in regulations governing sanctions. In addition to tourism, many of the sectors where trade is allowed relate to areas of need for the Cuban people, including agriculture, health, and communications connectivity. Permitted exports to Cuba are governed by various levels of licenses: a general license, exceptions to a general license, and a special license granted (See below for addressing inquiries to relevant U.S. government Departments.).
 
Participants later attended a reception at the Cuban Embassy in Washington, hosted by Cuban Ambassador to the United States Jose Cabanas. At the reception, World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia President Linda Mysliwy Conlin had the opportunity to discuss a future trade mission from Greater Philadelphia with Deputy Chief of Mission Juan Leon, and World Trade Center Arkansas President and CEO Dan Hendrix. WTC Arkansas has completed one mission to Cuba, largely focused on agriculture,  and is in the process of organizing a second mission.
 
U.S. government trade with Cuba resources:

• U.S. Department of Commerce
  Click here for more information about the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). 

• U.S. Department of the Treasury
  ​Click here for more information about the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).  
• U.S. Department of State
  Click here for more information about the U.S. Department of State.

• U.S. Department of Agriculture
  Click here for more information about the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. ​– The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia recently named Steven Bradley and Jeffrey Nash to its board of directors. This addition brings business, regional port authority, legal and governmental expertise to the WTCGP’s leadership ranks.

“We are delighted and fortunate to have added Steven and Jeff to the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia’s board,” noted WTCGP board chairman and White and Williams partner Gary Biehn.  “They bring diverse and deeply impressive backgrounds to their work with us, which undoubtedly will help promote WTCGP’s important efforts to build and grow trade – and jobs – in this region.”

“Jeff and Steven join us at a pivotal moment, as exports have grown into key U.S. economic drivers,” said WTCGP President Linda Conlin. “WTCGP will benefit enormously from the respective knowledge of this area’s business community Jeff and Steven bring as board members. Their important connections, particularly in the South Jersey community and among minority-led organizations and businesses, will enable us to expand recognition of WTCGP’s programs available to the region’s businesses, regardless of size, thereby increasing the impact we can have in driving economic growth and job creation in our communities.”

World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia is also pleased to announce the following new Members of the WTCGP Advisory Council:

For media inquiries please contact:
Patricia Keleman
Director of Communications and Development
215-356-8751

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) has appointed higher education leader and Stockton University President Harvey Kesselman to its board of directors, effective immediately.
​
The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia offers customized, one-on-one trade counseling to exporters in the Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey areas. As the region’s premier international trade experts, the WTCGP works to accelerate the economic growth of our region by providing resources and a powerful worldwide connection to buyers, agents and distributors, both through a network of more than 300 world trade centers in nearly 100 countries and through its considerable contacts in Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey. Since 2002, the WTCGP has helped generate more than $1.5 billion in incremental export sales, creating more than 19,000 jobs.

Dr. Kesselman, who has more than 35 years of experience in higher education and is a tenured Professor in Stockton’s School of Education, has held other senior leadership roles at Stockton. He also has been appointed by New Jersey governors and state education leaders to share his expertise as a member of several high level committees and task forces.
WTCGP has close ties with many of this region’s finest educational institutions such as Stockton University, with which WTCGP will collaborate to promote the international business education of Stockton students, including introducing students to global businesses in the region and supporting President Kesselman’s global vision for Stockton University.
 
Regarding President Kesselman’s new board appointment, World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia President Linda Conlin said, “President Kesselman’s participation in our board brings an important South Jersey perspective from a recognized leader in higher education and within the region overall.”
“It is an honor to serve on the board of directors of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, which recognizes the vital importance of higher education in promoting our region’s economic growth and increasing global opportunities,” President Kesselman noted. 

“We are delighted to welcome President Kesselman to the board of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia,” WTCGP Board Chairman Gary Biehn, Chair of the China Business Group and International Group at White and Williams, commented. “President Kesselman surely will contribute valuable insights based not only on his years of experience as an academician and higher education leader, but also as an integral member of the South Jersey business community. We look forward to a long connection between him and WTCGP.”

The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) in New York City oversees world trade centers that span the globe. This exclusive international business and trade network connects 15,000 professional staff members and represents more than 750,000 business members worldwide. The WTCA stimulates trade and investment opportunities for commercial property developers, economic development agencies and international businesses looking to connect globally in order to ensure local prosperity. In addition, the WTCA serves as an “international ecosystem” of global connections, iconic properties and integrated trade services under the umbrella of a prestigious brand.

Stockton University
Stockton University, New Jersey’s Distinctive Public University, offers an outstanding interdisciplinary approach to graduate and undergraduate education in arts and sciences, professional studies, health sciences and graduate and continuing studies. Stockton’s Galloway, New Jersey main campus in the Pinelands National Reserve is close to southern New Jersey beach resorts and central to a region that is immersed in world class hospitality and tourism, aviation research and aerospace technology, and other exciting ventures that support and enhance economic development efforts in southeastern New Jersey. The campus is within easy driving distance of major metropolitan areas including New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Stockton University, a premier regional educational institution, is ranked twelfth among the best public Regional Universities of the North by U.S. News and World Report and is one of The Princeton Review’s Best Northeastern Colleges.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) has selected Jerry Sweeney, CEO and Trustee, Brandywine Realty Trust to receive the 2016 Global Business Leadership Award.

​Each year over 325 corporate, government, diplomatic and academic leaders gather to celebrate WTCGP honorees. Past recipients of the Global Business Leadership Award include former Pennsylvania Governors Tom Corbett and Ed Rendell; Rosemary Turner, UPS Regional President; Greg Bentley, CEO, Bentley Systems, Inc.; William Hunt, CEO,  AgustaWestland Philadelphia, and Philip Rinaldi, CEO,  Philadelphia Energy Solutions, among others.

In addition to the Global Business Leadership award, the WTCGP honors a “Member Company of the Year,” one each from New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

2016 Ceremony and Reception
​May 4, 2016 at the Independence Seaport Museum (211 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., ​Philadelphia, PA)