Georgia reaching out worldwide [2012]

GEORGIA REACHING OUT WORLDWIDE
Partnering with Communities to Promote Opportunities, Grow Sales, and Create Jobs Through Exports
(I GeoYaia USA Funded in part through a grant award with the U.S. Small Business Administration

INTERNATIONAl TRADE IS AN ECONOMIC OEVElOPMENTTOOl THAT CREATES NEW JOBS, RETAINS JOBS AND HElPS THRIVING COMPANIES BECOME EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL EXPORTS CREATETWICE AS MANY JOBS AS SElliNG IN THE U.S. MARKET AlONE.
AWorld of Opportunities
Across Georgia, companies are engaging in global opportunities that result in new and retained jobs in Georgia, increased sales for Georgia companies, and companies better able to withstand fluctuations in the U.S. market due to international market diversification. The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) and its partners within the U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) provide a network of public-sector export services with staff that are well-trained to help companies take advantage of export opportunities. Export promotion agencies in Georgia are highly collaborative, and Georgia companies will be directed to the most appropriate service for that company regardless of the agency initially contacted.
Georgia's team of trade professionals is nationally recognized for quality services, having received the Presidential E-Star Award, the highest honor in the nation for excellence in exporting. By supporting Georgia exports, GDEcD helps create and retain jobs in Georgia, assists Georgia companies to expand and diversify markets and builds Georgia's identity as an international business center

Georgia is a national leader in the export of Woodpulp Textile Floor Covering Poultry Kaolin Paper/Paperboard

EXPORT SERVICES AVAILABLE TO GEORGIA COMPANIES INCLUDE:

Incoming Buyer Delegations
Target Market Research
One-On-One Export Counseling

Trade Opportunity Alerts (TOA) International Trade Shows and Missions Export Financing
Global Insight
Partner Due Diligence

Key Industry Contacts

Global Connections

Matchmaking/Lead Generation

In-Country Market Assessment

Business Partner Identification

COMPANIES CAN START THE PROCESS BY REGISTERING FOR TRADE SERVICES AT http:/ jtrade.georgia.org

Companies and communities benefit from exporting
GDEcD and its USEAC partners assist hundreds of Georgia companies each year with their expansion of exports. Collaboration with local communities will help additional companies realize the benefits of exporting and take advantage of existing export services. Partnerships are at the core of trade services, providing guidance, advice and critical business expertise to help companies accelerate exports and job growth in Georgia.
Get involved: Help companies with international opportunities
Encourage companies to think global
Invite guest speakers to talk about exporting & export services
Make companies aware of trade promotion opportunities
Many communities have found that helping companies with international opportunities is a no-or low-cost tool that supports existing industry in its business endeavors. Helping to promote exports can be as easy as highlighting international topics at meetings to stimulate dialogue about export opportunities; circulating Trade Opportunity Alerts sent by GDEcD to provide Georgia companies with trade leads; promoting trade shows, trade missions and incoming buyer delegations to provide companies with opportunities to sell their products to a targeted international audience. Companies that utilize the services provided by GDEcD's international offices receive customized export assistance from on-the-ground and

in-the-know experts. Most of the information provided is free of charge. GDEcD and its USEAC partners are available for speaking engagements and one-on-one company meetings. For additional suggestions, please contact GDEcD at 404.962.4122.
Did you know?
Exports create twice as many jobs as domestic trade. For every job created in making the product, another job is created in getting the product to market. Exporting firms pay workers more (13-18 percent), grow faster (20 percent) and are less likely to go out of business (9 percent). Exports are responsible for over 155,000 jobs in Georgia.
Exporting is not just for the "big guys." In Georgia, 50 percent of the companies helped by GDEcD have 20 employees or less; an additional 30+ percent have between 20 and 100 employees.
Georgia's 10,000+ exporters are located throughout Georgia: 86 percent of Georgia's counties have companies trading with one or more international markets.

Services to help companies grow are available statewide: GDEcD and its USEAC partners work with exporters in every corner of the state. Companies are also assisted by GDEcD regional staff that live and work throughout the state. The GDEcD team helps create and retain jobs by facilitating expansion opportunities, locating new investment projects and helping Georgia companies grow through exports. Many export promotion services are offered free of charge.
Georgia companies benefit from international expertise: through a network of 10 international offices located in Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Europe (Germany), Israel, Japan, Korea, Mexico and the United Kingdom, Georgia companies have access to on-theground in-country experts that work each day to keep Georgia on the minds of the local international business communities. Exporters are further assisted in more than 80 countries through the U.S. Commercial Service's international network.

GEORGIA'S INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

$34.7 BILLION IN GEORGIA
EXPORTS

Frequently Asked Questions
How can companies get started in using GDEcD's Trade services? While there is
no fee to participate in most of the state's trade services, interested companies must apply for the program online at http://trade.georgia .org . Qualified applicants will also be able to participate in other trade promotion activities and will be eligible for added benefits such as discounted booth space at international trade shows, free listing in an online Georgia export directory, appointments with incoming buyer delegations and many other export promotion programs and services. Registered Georgia companies will receive advance notice of international trade missions and trade shows . There is no cost to register yet registration is necessary to attain access to these services.
Is export finance assistance available? Yes.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides export financing and information to help small businesses take advantage of export markets. Using loan guarantee programs, SBA provides export working capital, general operating money, inventory and receivable funding, and funding for equipment or real estate to start or expand a small business. For the last 16 years SBA's Ex port Working Capital Loan Program has had the lowest default rate among SBA loan programs. The Georgia District Office is responsible for the delivery of SBA programs and services to all 159 counties in Georgia . For more information about Georgia's District
Office, please visit www.sba.gov.

Who are the USEAC Partner organizations?
The following organizations work in a seamless manner to assist Georgia companies in every stage of the export process. Primary partners include:
Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service
U.S. Small Business Administration Georgia Department of Economic
Development Small Business Development
Center Service Corps of Retired
Executives Georgia Department of Agriculture Minority Business Development
Agency
What are some useful websites for exporting? export.gov export-u .com fita.org Georgia.org
How can I receive the Trade Opportunities Alert (TOA)? GDEcD's international trade
offices regularly obtain information on potential export deals in their country/ region. This information is disseminated to economic developers who in turn deliver this information to companies in their communities. The TOA provides communities with a resource for existing industry. To receive the TOAs, call us at 404.632.4122.

Success Stories from Georgia
Universal VAT Services, Inc. (UVS) is based in Decatur, Georgia, with 12 employees. Over seven years, UVS sustained considerable growth ultimately leading to an acquisition in 2008 by Currencies Direct Ltd. UVS now operates in Turkey, India and Malaysia and is developing partnerships in Chile, Brazil and parts of Asia. The international partnership expansion is directly correlated to the services provided by GDEcD and its International Trade Representatives located abroad.
Chemical Products Corporation (CPC), located in Cartersville, Georgia, has approximately 110 employees worldwide, including several national and global subsidiaries. In 2008, CPC partnered with GDEcD to expand its product base and increase its sales and international presence. To date, CPC, through one of its subsidiaries, has successfully entered the Brazilian market and has committed human and financial resources to further growth in targeted countries. International sales account for 35-40 percent of total sales of the subsidiary's sales. CPC expects continued international growth.
D-Check Developments, based in Lamar County, Georgia, with 10 employees, completed multiple international trade deals in 2011 valued at approximately $250,000. By establishing international markets, it weathered the global recession that severely impacted the aviation industry. While working with USEAC Partner organizations, the company received insight on reports, export finance options, industry-specific export controls and regulations and assistance identifying an international representative. This information has led to additional sales to Canada and distributor appointments in Australia and Israel. GDEcD continues to work with D-Check Developments to deepen its international sales and create jobs in Georgia.

2010 & 2011 were record years for Georgia exports, making Georgia the 12th largest exporting state.

Exporting Matters.
Export Assistance Partners help companies become even more successful through exporting. Call or refer a company. USEAC Partners will ensure that companies are connected with the most appropriate service for their needs. For more
information, please visit Georgia.org or
call 404.962.4122.
"Trade Matters. Coffee County has been successful in partnering with GDEcD. In particular. company participation in international trade shows. These companies come back to Georgia with orders for production ultimately creating local job growth."
JoAnne Lewis, Executive Director, Douglas-Coffee County Development Authority
"Exports were the reason why companies in Rome have been able to maintain their workforce during this recent recession. We look forward to helping our companies grow and expand through international trade."
AI Hodge, President & CEO, Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce
Wee Business
(I Georaia Georgia.org USA