Exporting: a world of opportunities [Jan. 2010]

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A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES

ARCTIC OCEAN
A TLA N TIC

Dear Georgia Company,
If you're a Georgia manufacturer or professional service provider looking for new markets, you can start or expand your international trade efforts with the support of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD).
When you partner with the GDEcD's International Trade Team located in Atlanta and strategic markets worldwide, you gain access to research, export assistance, partner resources, and in-country partner searches and market assessments. By working with GDEcD you can also obtain information regarding trade shows, international trade missions, export training, in-country matchmaking, connections with international buyers and trade opportunity alerts.
Companies that export typically grow faster and are less likely to go out of business. International sales volumes can lower overall production costs, lead to increased profitability, reduce risk by selling to diverse markets, and may increase product life cycles. These sales also benefit job creation, with each manufacturing job created through exports leading to the creation of an additional job in the logistics or professional services industry. Furthermore, selling internationally allows companies to gain a competitive edge through global exposure to new technology, innovations and competition.
International trade raises job quality and living standards, with export-related jobs paying an average of 13 percent more than the average domestic wage. In addition, wages for jobs supported by merchandise exports are generally 20 percent higher than the national average. High-tech jobs directly supported by exports on average earn 34 percent more than the national average.
There are many reasons to export, and much data that supports the positive benefits to companies of exporting. That may be why over 85 percent of Georgia counties have companies involved in international trade. The Georgia Department of Economic Development and its International Trade Team look forward to working with you to help your company, and Georgia, grow.
Sincerely,
Kathe Falls Director, International Trade Team Georgia Department of Economic Development
Georgia.org | 1

Develop your international sales Imagine the opportunity

The Georgia Department of Economic Development's (GDEcD) International Trade Team is a state resource available to help increase your international sales. Our team has access to valuable databases, market research reports and business contacts around the world. We work closely with our federal and university partners to develop customized solutions and help each company succeed in the global marketplace. 96% of the world's consumers live outside the United States.
Georgia exports consistently rank among the top third of United States exports.
Georgia exports lead the nation in the categories of wood pulp, paper, poultry, carpet/textiles and kaolin.
It's not just for the big guys!

97%
of U.S. exports are generated by small and medium-sized
companies

More than
75%
of our clients have fewer than 100 employees

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"For a small business, assistance such as that provided by you is invaluable at this stage of the game, before selfsustaining actions are embedded in the business framework."
-- Reggie Rice, President, Smoovshave International

What are the benefits of international sales?
Exporting helps a good company become a better, stronger, more competitive company. Selling to multiple international markets allows a company to prosper during fluctuations in the U.S. market. Companies who export discover many benefits including: Increased sales and profits
Reduced risk by selling to diverse markets
Lower production costs through additional sales volume
Increased product life cycle by selling to new markets
Gaining a competitive edge through exposure to new technology, innovations and competition around the world
"With your guidance and encouragement, we took the steps necessary to prepare our company and products for exporting. We developed new logos and packaging; we upgraded our production and acquired international receivables guarantees from the U.S. Ex-Im Bank. All of these steps...made us a better company. With GDEcD's help, we developed a momentum that is actually helping us to grow our business."
-- Alan Lockett, President, C & C Oil Company Global Insight
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Global Insight
Georgia's International Trade Team has the knowledge, and we are here to help you! Identify the right market overseas Develop new international markets Understand how to export
Resource center
Take advantage of our extensive international trade resource center, which uses in-country research. Georgia companies can contact an International Trade Manager to access this information. Evaluate which foreign markets have the best potential for your
product. Official export statistics show you which countries are already
buying similar products. Industry-specific market research provides information on the
best countries for your product. Consider the ease of selling to countries with which the U.S.
has a free trade agreement. Obtain background profiles on foreign companies. Research contact information for international importers by
country and category. Learn tips on how to negotiate and interact with your foreign
customers and partners.
"You have been a tremendous asset to our team and have provided resources, insight and contacts that have aided us with our international expansion efforts...The professionalism, sincerity and initiative you have exhibited over the past year have greatly exceeded our expectations."
- Wendy Brantley, Director of Business Development, jB+a, Inc.
4 | Georgia.org

"It has been a pleasure working with you, and the knowledge and experience that you bring to our company with your background in export distribution has been of great value and will help us grow and adapt to the global economy. We have already signed on with the Ex-Im insurance for our receivables which will give us a greater capacity to grow our export business. We are working through the leads that you sent us right now."
--Todd Boyd, President, J & J Chemical Co.
Payment options
Our team will explain the payment and financing options which can be used in international transactions (including Letters of Credit and foreign buyer financing guaranteed by the U.S. government.)
Education
Along with our export assistance partners, GDEcD provides information about export education seminars and workshops for companies at all stages. Our team works with Georgia companies to create a personalized strategy to develop your international sales.
An introductory series of webinars can be viewed at no charge by visiting www.export-u.com.
In-country market assessment
In markets where Georgia has international offices, GDEcD assists Georgia exporters to assess the potential for success in an individual country. Additionally this information is available in over 80 countries through the U.S. Commercial Service.
Partner resources
Our team works closely with other federal and state agencies to introduce your company to the additional services and resources available.
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Global Connection
Identify the right partner overseas
Through our databases, international offices and network of contacts around the world, our team helps you identify qualified partners in each selected country to represent your product.
"I have nothing but praise for the GDEcD and U.S. Commercial Services staff. They have been extremely responsive to my many inquiries. It is almost like having an international department of experts but not employing them, which is a very important cost consideration for a small company. Since our involvement with them, they have helped LVS increase export sales to 39 percent of our total corporate sales in 2007. Their help has been invaluable."
--Tim Lydell, Label Vision Systems, Inc
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"That report was exactly what we needed. It was very informative... and made sense. The feedback is absolutely invaluable and it gives us information we'd never be able to get on our own."
-- Corey Etheridge, Director of International Sales, OKA b.

Meet the Buyers in Person
Our global network of International Trade Manager can arrange meetings for you with pre-qualified partners.
Join the Georgia delegation at trade shows around the globe. GDEcD coordinates a unified Georgia presence at specific trade shows throughout the year in foreign markets. Take advantage of discounted exhibit space when available.
Our team can arrange pre-qualified appointments for you during your trip with potential representatives and/or buyers for your product.
If your company is not ready to exhibit at a trade show, you can join our delegation for a guided visit to the show and decide if this is the best forum to promote your company.
We provide you with support before, during and after the show.
GDEcD leads Georgia companies on guided business missions to foreign countries, where all meetings are pre-arranged with qualified potential partners, helping you do business.
Does international travel require too much time? We can help you find a trade show in the U.S. where foreign buyers are looking for quality U.S. products and services. GDEcD also hosts incoming buyer delegations to Georgia.

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Where do I start?
Contact the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) to speak with an International Trade Manager who specializes in your industry or regularly visits your region of Georgia. The International Trade Manager will work with you to develop a customized strategy suitable for your company. Reach our team at 404-962-4122 or exports@georgia.org. www.georgia.org International Website: www.global-georgia.org "The direct services and international contacts that were provided have been great...the information we learned from GDEcD taught us that, as intimidating as it seemed, developing a program to export our products was not daunting at all...with your help, we learned it was quite doable...The assistance that GDEcD provided us is broader than the immediate measure of new customers gained. The information we've received and the improvements we've made have also helped us increase sales to existing customers and reinvigorate inactive customers." - Alan Lockett, President, C & C Oil Company
8 | Georgia.org

PA CIFIC

A TLA N TIC

OCEA N

OCEA N

Thank You

Obrigado

Gracias

Merci

Danke Schn

For a list of upcoming trade events, please visit georgia.org or call 404-962-4036.