MEDC Offers Global Trade Days Export Seminars Around State
LANSING (WWJ) -- Michigan businesses are invited to explore export opportunities at four Global Trade Days export events taking place in Troy, Lansing, Grand Rapids and Traverse City Oct. 14-18.
The events will include presentations from country market specialists from Canada, Mexico, China, United Arab Emirates, and Brazil, who will speak about doing business in those markets.
These five countries are among Michigan's top export markets, and they offer enormous growth opportunities for Michigan businesses:
Canada is Michigan's largest export market, and Michigan is the no. 1 state in the U.S. for exports to Canada. Michigan companies exported $25.4 billion in goods and services to Canada in 2012, up from $23.4 billion in 2011.
Mexico is Michigan's second-largest trading partner. Michigan is the No. 3 state in the U.S. for exports to Mexico, with Michigan companies exporting $10.5 billion in goods and services to Mexico in 2012.
Michigan companies exported nearly $3.3 billion in goods and materials to China in 2012, making China Michigan's third-largest export market.
United Arab Emirates is Michigan's ninth-largest export market, with Michigan companies exporting more than $753 million in goods and services in 2012.
In 2012, Michigan companies exported $692.6 million in goods and materials to Brazil, making it Michigan's 12th-largest export market.
Attendees at Global Trade Days will learn about opportunities and trends in top export markets, assistance provided by Michigan Centers and foreign trade offices, success stories from participating Michigan companies and upcoming Michigan trade missions and events.
Business owners in attendance at a workshop can also request one-on-one meetings with the country market specialists. To schedule a meeting, contact export@michigan.org.
The Global Trade Days event dates and locations are:
Troy: Monday, Oct. 14 from 12:45 to 5 p.m., Troy Marriott Hotel, 200 W. Big Beaver Rd. Event co-sponsored by Automation Alley. Cost $25. To register, visit https://www.regonline.com/globaltradedays.
Lansing: Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 4 to 6 p.m., Foster Swift Law Firm, 313 S. Washington Square, Lansing. Cost $35. Register at http://global.broad.msu.edu/gbclub.
Grand Rapids: Thursday, Oct. 17 from 8 to 11:45 a.m., Grand Valley State University, 301 Michigan St., N.E., Grand Rapids. Co-sponsored by Van Andel Global Trade Center. Cost $20. Register at www.gvsu.edu/vagtc/training-events.htm.
Traverse City: Friday, Oct. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Black Star Farms, 10844 E. Revold Road, Suttons Bay. Co-sponsored by Northwest Michigan Council of Governments. Cost $20. Register at www.nwm.org/business/sustainable-business/global-trade-day.html.
For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit: MichiganBusiness.org. For Michigan travel news, updates and information, visit michigan.org.
