CVEP Exploring Business Partnerships During International Trade Mission

PALM DESERT, Calif., Nov. 24, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP) is taking its messages of renewable energy and clean technology opportunities to Europe. CVEP's Chief Operating Officer Wesley Ahlgren, along with Robert Hargreaves, attorney at Best, Best & Krieger and Counsel for CVEP, are the only California representatives in the U.S. delegation on this major Trade Mission. The U.S. Clean Technology Trade & Investment Mission, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, and Economic Development Administration, is designed to advance economic growth initiatives and generate jobs. This is the first time community leaders, as well as individual businesses, have been included in the international Trade Mission.

The Mission will converge in Lyon, France, on Monday, November 29, for four days of meetings in a setting that draws thousands of companies from across the globe. The delegation will also travel to Brussels, Belgium to meet with officials from NATO, who are looking for green tech products and services for a new $1 billion headquarters.

"We are excited to be one of only 20 community delegations from the entire U.S. on this important trip, and look forward to representing the Coachella and Imperial Valleys, California and the Nation," says Ahlgren.

In addition to meeting with dozens of interested companies during the Trade Mission, Ahlgren will also take with him information supplied through the Renewable Energy Roundtable detailing the region's green and renewable energy strengths and opportunities. The Mission supports CVEP's job creation goals by increasing exports and attracting foreign direct investment, with particular emphasis on the clean technology sector.

"We are looking for avenues to make those vital connections and to entice foreign investors to the region," says Ahlgren.

The Mission is in-line with CVEP's Economic Blueprint, which is a forward-thinking and actionable roadmap for achieving future economic success in the Coachella Valley. The Blueprint focuses on four primary goal areas: Regionalism; Economic Diversification; Workforce Excellence; and, Quality of Place. A significant diversification goal in the Blueprint is to build green business and a stronger renewable and clean tech workforce.

Tom Freeman, the Commissioner-Office of Foreign Trade at Riverside County, assisted CVEP to ensure its participation in the Trade Mission and is providing support throughout the effort. For more information, contact CVEP at 760.340.1575 or visit www.cvep.com.

SOURCE The Coachella Valley Economic Partnership