DCED to Help Companies Reach Foreign Markets by Bringing Overseas Trade Reps to PA
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania companies interested in doing business overseas can meet with trade representatives from several countries without the time and expense of travel, as the Department of Community and Economic Development hosts a second series of spring meetings throughout the state beginning today.
“Exports from Pennsylvania firms play an important role in the state’s economy,” said DCED acting Secretary George Cornelius. “We’ve been providing our companies with opportunities to facilitate new relationships, expand their markets, and create new jobs by coordinating overseas trips and providing in-state technical assistance. These in-state meetings with foreign-based trade representatives can make it even easier.”
The set of meetings that begins today will run through Wednesday, April 29, and will focus on the building and hardwoods industries. The third series, focusing on machinery, electronics and information technology, will be held May 12-20.
The first set of meetings ran March 23-27.
This week’s meetings will feature the commonwealth’s contracted foreign trade representatives from China, Russia, Singapore, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (Arab Gulf Region).
Companies from other business sectors interested in any of these foreign markets are also welcome to meet with Pennsylvania’s trade reps during the meetings to discuss exporting opportunities for their products or services, Cornelius said.
In 2008, Pennsylvania exports increased 18 percent over 2007, surpassing $34 billion. Total U.S. exports were up 12 percent. Pennsylvania exports totaled only $16.3 billion in 2003.
The meetings are being organized by the Center for Trade Development, which is the export-promotion arm of DCED’s Office of International Business Development, and its Regional Export Network. Together they offer Pennsylvania businesses international market intelligence, export counseling, compliance support, business contacts and trade promotion programs to expand the reach, capacity and global competitiveness of Pennsylvania businesses.
Lebanon-based C. L. Sturkey Inc., which makes precision cutting instruments that are used by hospitals, research and diagnostic laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, universities, colleges, medical and veterinary schools, said DCED’s authorized trade representatives were crucial to helping the business succeed in India, Spain, Chile, Brazil and Greece.
“We tried unsuccessfully to enter the Spanish market for years, but we could not find a distributor willing to take on our product line,” said Mike Tarsa, the company’s vice president of sales. “We asked Gloria Manchego, the Pennsylvania trade rep in Spain, to research the marketplace and find us a distributor.Within 9 months, I flew to Seville, Spain, to finalize a long-term distribution agreement with a highly effective company that we can trust and a director with whom we developed a close friendship.”
With the help of its 10 regional export network partners around the state, the office helped more than 1,200 companies last year through its 24 overseas trade representatives, conducted 17 trade missions to 13 foreign markets, and awarded grants to help small- and medium-sized businesses gain a foothold in markets outside of the United States.
DCED also has a foreign direct investment arm, which helps attract foreign-owned companies to establish operations in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania businesses can use DCED’s free, interactive virtual trade advisor at patradeadvisor.newpa.com to get started. The advisor offers information about market statistics, trends, trade regulations, lead-generation and potential grants and financing.
