Pennsylvania DCED: Businesses Can Expand Their Export Opportunities During Pennsylvania International Week

News provided by

Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

Sep 16, 2011, 12:55 ET

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Monday marks the official kickoff of Pennsylvania International Week (PIW), a series of events set up throughout the commonwealth that gives companies the opportunity to network with commonwealth trade representatives from 20 nations.

"With more than 12,000 Pennsylvania firms now shipping goods to foreign buyers, exporting is rapidly becoming a real game changer as it relates to job creation and economic impact," Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker said. "Throughout Pennsylvania International Week, companies will be able to meet one-on-one with our trade representatives from around the world to learn and discuss ways to compete in the global marketplace."

Pennsylvania's authorized trade representatives will meet at each event with companies seeking foreign market intelligence, agents and distributor candidates, industry and government contacts, as well as provide on-the-ground assistance when companies visit these foreign markets.

The events will feature Pennsylvania's 20 authorized trade representatives from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China (Beijing and Shanghai), France, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.

Events will include a series of presentations, seminars and networking events for businesses to be held at ten locations.

The PIW itinerary is as follows (coordinated in each location by one of DCED's Regional Export Network (REN) partners):

Monday Sept. 19 in Kersey, Elk County at the Red Fern (North Central PA Regional Development & Planning Commission)

Tuesday, Sept. 20 in Bedford at the Bedford Elks Club (Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission)

Wednesday, Sept. 21 in Wilkes-Barre at the Woodlands Inn & Resort (Northeastern PA Alliance)

Thursday, Sept. 22 in Philadelphia at the Hyatt Bellevue (World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia)

Friday, Sept. 23 in Newtown Square, Delaware County at the Ellis Reserve (World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia)

Additional events were held earlier this week in Pittsburgh, Erie, Harrisburg and Bethlehem.

PIW is hosted by the DCED's Office of International Business Development, a professional team of international economic development specialists, in partnership with its ten REN partners across the state, the Team PA Foundation, and many other public and private sector partners in each region.

For more information about the Office of International Business Development or other economic development services, visit newpa.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

Media contact: Theresa Elliott, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development