Global Delaware Helps Local Companies Compete on an International Stage
Delaware companies that share their export goals can win lunch with Governor Markell.

Delaware companies grow and succeed when they compete in the global marketplace. Governor Markell couldn’t agree more. And, to show his support, he’s offered to have lunch with a current or future exporter!
Over the last year, Global Delaware revamped the State’s export program to help even more Delaware companies find and grow markets overseas, and secured a Federal STEP grant to provide financial support for companies seeking to export.

Now, Global Delaware is looking ahead to next year to tap additional federal funding to support local export efforts. To do this, Global Delaware needs input from the local business community, and is offering a chance to win lunch with Governor Markell as thanks for participating.

“We have resources and financial assistance waiting for companies that want to take their business abroad,” explained Global Delaware Director Andrea Tinianow. “Our local businesses can help by telling us which countries hold the most export potential for their products and services. We’ll use that information to seek additional funding and grow our calendar of events and activities.”

Delaware businesses that share information about their export interests will be entered to win lunch with Governor Markell. Tinianow noted that international commerce has been a priority of Gov. Markell’s administration. “Participation in the global marketplace is critical to drive more jobs and increased revenue in the State, and the Governor fully supports Global Delaware’s export program.

Company responses will be used to plan new events and activities, as well as provide vital information for the State’s application for additional STEP grants, Tinianow explained.

A link to the survey can be found here.

See the attachment below for more information.

Global expansion survey press release 3.8.16

The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that Delaware’s Department of State will receive an FY 2015 State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program award totaling $276,741 to support the state’s efforts to assist Delaware companies enter and develop markets overseas.

The SBA’s STEP Program makes matching-fund awards to states to assist small businesses enter and succeed in the international marketplace. The program’s objectives are to increase the number of U.S. small businesses that export and to increase the value of exports by small businesses. In the case of Delaware, the State will match the SBA grant with $92,247.00, bringing the total available for export efforts to $368,988.

The grant will be used to directly reimburse small and medium-sized companies for money spent on eligible, pre-approved export expenses such as international travel, trade show activities, international marketing materials and overseas interpreters. The grant will also be used for a wide range of export-related marketing activities, from working with in-country trade reps to organizing trade missions to connect Delaware businesses with buyers and distributors abroad.

Global Delaware, the Department of State’s international economic development office, has begun planning for development missions to Mexico, Germany, South Korea and Canada, identified in a recent study as holding the most promise for Delaware companies. STEP grant funds are used to set up one-on-one business meetings with potential distributors and customers in the target markets, hire interpreters, and cover other costs associated with the missions, such as translating marketing presentations and paying for in-country transportation.

“Our congressional delegation has worked hard to restore funding for the STEP program. We believe this is a tremendous opportunity for Delaware businesses to grow their markets and create new jobs,” said Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock of the STEP award. “This is proven model to follow, and it has been successful in the past. We have trade reps in place, technical expertise and the export know-how. Now we need Delaware companies that want to grow internationally to step forward and apply for the export grants.”

Companies interested in a trade mission or applying for an export grant can find more information and the application on the Global Delaware website at global.delaware.gov

Canada offers the most promise to Delaware companies looking for trade and partnership opportunities abroad.

That was the message Delaware’s new foreign trade representative for Canada drove home to local business owners during a recent roundtable at the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce.

“Canada is a neighbor and a natural partner,” said Ludovic Ortuno, an experienced international trade and development professional working and living in the Montreal area. “It has a well-developed, mature market with diverse industries organized into clusters, and a long and successful trading history with the U.S.”

Ortuno was recently engaged by Global Delaware to help Delaware businesses find partners in Canada. He works in-country to perform market research and analysis, develop product strategies for market entry, identify potential customers, provide in-country logistical, translational and related support services, and even negotiate with distributors on behalf of Delaware companies.

With many years of experience working with premier international trade and development agencies, Ortuno has an extensive understanding of what it takes to launch new products in Canada and other markets. “Ludovic is a seasoned trade expert and a strategic thinker. He can help companies with all aspects of marketing, find resources, identify the right partners and navigate Canadian rules and regulations,” noted Global Delaware Director Andrea Tinianow.

During the roundtable, Ortuno told participants that Canada is the largest export market for the U.S., with bilateral investment and trade between Canada and the United States reaching $1 trillion annually. Canada has the largest growth in GDP of the G-7 countries, he noted, and is ranked as the most favorable country with which to do business of the G-20. The International Monetary Fund predicts its Gross Domestic Product will grow consistently at 2 percent annually through 2020.

Ortuno cautioned that although Canada’s geographic proximity and comparable business culture make it an easier export target market, it is still a different country. “Canada is friendly to the U.S., but has its own certification processes, regulations, business and labor laws,” he explained. “Delaware companies need the proper tools and resources to successfully sell their goods and services across the border.”

State efforts to help companies seek opportunities abroad

Connecting Delaware businesses with foreign trade representatives is part of Global Delaware’s Strategic Export Plan to increase business opportunities and jobs for local companies. Foreign trade representatives have extensive contacts with in-country industry associations and government agencies, chambers of commerce and public and private organizations, as well as specialized expertise in assisting U.S. companies establish distributor and customer networks in their country markets.

In addition to developing a network of foreign trade representatives, Global Delaware will organize trade missions to key markets for qualifying businesses and provide access to an exhaustive database of international distributors.

“We want more Delaware companies to be part of the $1 billion that goes back and forth across the Canadian border daily,” Andrea Tinianow said. “We are building the bridges, tunnels and railways so our businesses can join the global economy; we are committed to getting them there.”

To learn more about Global Delaware, please visit: global.delaware.gov

Distinguished Delaware physicians, scientists and entrepreneurs will meet with colleagues from around the world at the University of Delaware’s STAR campus to discuss exciting work being done in the fields of translational medicine and oncology research here in the State.

Members of the international bio-science community will meet with Governor Jack Markell in the morning, followed by a lively discussion with area experts to learn about ground-breaking work being done here in the search for tests, tools and treatment that can be used to combat diseases such as cancer. They will also take a tour of the state-of-the-art facilities at UD’s STAR campus and hear details about the wet lab incubators currently under construction at UD and at Delaware State University.

This exclusive one-day event comes at the conclusion of the week-long International BIO Convention in Philadelphia and demonstrates Delaware’s prowess for moving R&D innovations to the marketplace.

“Delaware is committed to providing companies with the support and resources needed to convert research into results that can be used to detect disease, equip caregivers and provide patients with treatment and therapies,” said Governor Jack Markell. “Our small state makes it easier for researchers to connect with community healthcare facilities and accomplished healthcare providers to accelerate the pace of moving medicines, equipment and therapies from the lab bench to the patient’s bedside.”

The event features some of the brightest minds in the State, including scientists from the Center for Translational Cancer Research and DSU’s Optical Science Center for Applied Research, as well as executives from bio-science start-ups Genome Profiling and Incyte and from Delaware Technology Park. Industry veteran Ian Wright and Dean of UD’s College of Health Sciences Kathleen Matt are hosting the event.

“This is a unique opportunity for international bio-science executives and scientists to connect with an exceptional group of professionals doing cutting-edge research, and to appreciate how Delaware provides the perfect environment for this caliber of work,” said Ian Wright. “We are confident that we will provide our colleagues from with serious food for thought as they contemplate the best place in the U.S. to bring their bio-science business.”

Trade mission to India will also include business visits with manufacturers and health sciences companies

Wilmington – Governor Jack Markell announced today that he will lead a trade mission to India from Wednesday, February 6, through Saturday, February 16, 2013 .  Invited by the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM), India’s premier IT industry association, to speak at its annual Leadership Forum in Mumbai on February 13^th, Governor Markell will address over 1500 participants from nearly 25 countries, followed by one-on-one meetings with several CEOs and company chairpersons.  The Forum, which will focus on the theme of partnerships and global growth, is among the most prestigious international IT conferences for the growing IT sector in India.

As part of his trip, the State of Delaware is working with the Confederation of Indian Industry, a leading industry association across India, and the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises, the top biotechnology industry association, to schedule meetings in Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai with manufacturers and health sciences companies.

“Indian companies continue to expand their operations in the United States, and we want them to know Delaware has an outstanding IT workforce.  We are leading the country in developing cyber security personnel and have much to offer a prospective company,” said Governor Markell.  “We want international business managers looking to locate or expand their businesses to consider locating in Delaware.”

The Governor will be promoting Delaware’s high-caliber workforce, convenient location, and reasonable cost of living as he meets with several business leaders and their company representatives at the conference.

According to a report published by NASSCOM in 2012, Indian IT companies directly employ 107,000 people in the U.S., up from 58,000 in 2006.  These jobs indirectly support many others through local suppliers, re-spending and tax payments.  Several Indian companies have announced plans to expand employment for U.S. workers over the next few years.

Similar to his previous trips, the Governor will utilize social media to stay in communication with Delawareans. He will participate in a Google+ hangout with students from Delcastle Technical High School, who are working on a project to learn about international social media and trade with India.  The class will communicate with people in Delaware and India over the next several weeks to encourage engagement via Twitter and Facebook. During the Google+ Hangout, they will brief the Governor on their research results.

“Delaware has a world-class IT workforce and an exceptionally strong social media community,” said Governor Markell.  “Social media is a way for our students and our broader community to raise Delaware’s profile in India.  I applaud their efforts to help us communicate beyond our borders.”

Governor Markell will be accompanied by Secretary of Transportation Shailen Bhatt and Felicia Pullam, Deputy Director for International Trade.  Secretary Bhatt previously traveled to India in 2010 representing the Federal Highway Administration to meet with government and business officials interested in furthering cooperation on transportation issues.  Also, University of Delaware President Dr. Patrick Harker will join the trade mission in Mumbai.   The University of Delaware enjoys a strong reputation in India for its chemical engineering department.