Missouri Trade Initiative Complements President's National Export Program
Contact:
Tim Nowak
Executive Director, World Trade Center
314.615.8151, tnowak@worldtradecenter-stl.com
St. Louis, MO, March 16, 2010 - As President Obama reiterated his goal of doubling United
States exports over the next five years at the Export-Import Bank's annual conference, 90 regional businesses received letters from U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, the World Trade Center Saint Louis and others inviting them to participate in the Missouri Trade Initiative (MTI). MTI brings together private sector and federal, state and local government resources in order to develop an international expansion plan that will serve as a one-stop shop to achieve success in global exports.
"This program is an important component of the County's overall efforts to support the growth of small- to medium-sized companies and provides Missouri businesses with an export road map to increase their global sales," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley.
MTI encourages trade and targets companies who are either just beginning to export its products or have the potential to expand its current exports into new global markets. Companies that participate in the free program will receive expert advice in operations, international marketing, trade finance and logistics. Businesses also will be presented with a plan to increase their exports in current markets and develop new markets for their products and services.
"This Initiative provides area small businesses with an unprecedented level of support and resources to identify new international markets and buyers for their products," said Tim Nowak, executive director of the World Trade Center Saint Louis. "Creating a public-private partnership like this is a terrific approach to assisting companies and therefore increasing the state's export potential."
Organizations supporting the MTI include Commerce Bank; Export-Import Bank of the U.S.; FedEx; Armstrong Teasdale, LLP; Missouri Department of Economic Development; Missouri Enterprise; Springfield Chamber of Commerce; U.S. Commercial Service; U.S. Small Business Administration; and World Trade Center Saint Louis (WTC).
The trade initiative was developed by FedEx and has been launched in Tennessee and Northern Illinois. Missouri will be the third location to implement this program. Additional information, including the Initiative brochure and a sample invitation letter from Sen. Bond, can be found at www.buyusa.gov/stlouis/mti.html.
About the World Trade Center Saint Louis
WTC combines local experts with government resources to enhance international trade, promote local economic development and ultimately foster peace and stability through trade. It also guides regional businesses to expand into foreign markets, hosting visiting trade delegations to St. Louis and promoting the region as a place for international trade relations and economic growth. World Trade Center Saint Louis is a division of St. Louis County Economic Council.
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