Export University - A World Trade Day Event!

A Seminar to Provide Your Company the Tools to Compete in the Global Marketplace

Date?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Where?
State Fair Grounds, Raleigh. The address of the fairground is 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607. The Scott Building is right next to Gate 11 on Blue Ridge Road (very convenient to the highway)

What Will Be Taught?
Topics to be covered include: Export Sales Techniques, Global Risk Assessment, International Methods of Payment, Letters of Credit, Incoterms, Harmonized Tariff Codes, Role of the International Freight Forwarder, Developing an International Marketing Plan, and free on-line resources. Participants will be introduced to the support network of service providers, i.e., government agencies (USDOC, SBA, Ex-Im Bank, etc.), international freight forwarders, international bankers, etc. All training materials will be provided.

Registration Fee includes a copy of the newly released and updated Basic Guide to Exporting.
** This seminar will also give participants access to key public and private export service providers

Who Should Attend?
- Companies that are not presently exporting and need the tools to answer the question, "Should my company export?"
- Companies that are new to exporting and need the tools to begin and avoid costly mistakes.
- Companies that are currently exporting but need the tools to expand overseas markets and sales.

Companies are encouraged to send employees who are (or may become) responsible for letters of credit, international documentation, international sales, and international marketing.

Cost?
$65 per registrant

Agenda
8:00 Registration
8:30 Welcome and Introductions
8:45 Export Sales Techniques, Jim Joyce
10:15 How to Get Paid - Dan Holt, Small Business Administration
11:15 Export Pricing - Kathy Edwards, Global Business Solutions
12:00 Lunch with VIP keynote NC Commissioner for Agriculture Steve Troxler
1:30 Export Pricing (continued) and Export Credit Insurance, Kathy Edwards, Global Business Solutions
2:30 Export Logistics, Ernie Beauregard, Reefco
3:30 Export Marketing Resources, NCAg, NCDOC and USDOC
4:30 End

To Register on-line, go to https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=9Q7O

For more information, contact NCDA International Marketing at 919-733-7912.

Five Free (or almost free) Things Fruit and Vegetable Growers Need to Develop International Markets

Five Free (or almost free) Things Fruit and Vegetable Growers Need to Develop International Markets

International Markets can be daunting. But did you know that you already have all sorts of resources just a mouse click away that can get you into international markets? Your tax dollars provide you with an astonishing array of export support services. Uncle Sam wants you to export!

Start by taking advantage of services that minimize your exposure. Here are five things you should do to that are low cost or even no cost.

1) Register with Go South. Canada is your most logical export market. With USDA funding, the Go South program promotes your product in Canada. Even better, they work every day with Canadian produce buyers looking for your products. But they can’t put you in touch with buyers if they don’t know you are out there. Register at www.ncagexports.com and click on “Go South Registration Form.”
2) Sign up for a free Global GAP audit. GoldenLeaf is funding Global GAP audits, a prerequisite for many high end international markets. This is the last year funding will be available, so act now. For more information, go to http://www.agr.state.nc.us/markets/international/GlobalGAPinfo.htm
3) Call NCDA International marketing at 919-733-7912 or e-mail them at export@ncmail.net. They can walk you through the process if you are starting from scratch or want to move from your 36th to 37th export market.
4) Bookmark and look at http://www.agr.state.nc.us/markets/international/marketing_resources.htm . On that web page, you will find resources including access to international experts, market research for your product in your target market, export training, funding assistance, export requirements and a range of other resources.
5) Attend world trade day on May 19th at the State Fair Grounds. In one day, you will learn more practical knowledge on how to market and export your product than if you took a college class on it. For more information, go to http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/international/Worldtradeday.htm

Your tax dollars paid for these resources. Take advantage of them.

Sweet Potato Pate a Hit in Germany!

The North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission attended a trade reception at the Sullberg Hotel just outside of Hamburg on the Elbe River. Approximately 300-400 people in attendance. At the reception, we served a liverwurst containing 20% sweet potatoes and developed in NC at Weeping Radish by a German butcher for sampling at the sweet potato table. All samples were consumed during the event, and many people who claimed they didn’t really care for liverwurst were impressed by the product. The pate was such a success that the Commission is interested in using it at other promotions in the future.

Nathan Holleman's Report from Central America

The opening of a new Maersk shipping route between Wilmington and Puerto Cortez in Honduras may facilitate expanded trade even more. Goods shipped from Honduras can reach Wilmington in as few as 4 days, while goods shipped to Honduras from North Carolina average 7 days to reach the port.

The FMLN (former guerillas and now a leftist political party) won the recent election in El Salvador, a major purchaser of NC cotton. This was causing some distress among private companies, as they feared higher minimum wages, potential nationalization of some companies, as well as capital flight and decreased foreign investment (similar to Nicaragua and Venezuela). We’ll just have to see how the victory impacts El Salvador domestically as well as its external relations with countries such as the United States.