State Places Emphasis on
Global Activities
Armed with a mandate from the Nevada Legislature and a new strategic plan, the Nevada Commission on Economic Development (NCED) is emphasizing its efforts in the global arena.
Beginning with the October 2009 e-newsletter, we will be sending bi-monthly global business updates to keep all of Nevada’s “business ambassadors” and stakeholders informed of our activities.
With the agency’s reorganization, exports and foreign investment become part of the Business Development Division’s core activities. The Global Trade and Investment Division will take on the streamlined name Global Business Development. Its director Alan Di Stefano will now have two full-time staff members reporting to him—Gayle Anderson, Chief of Diplomatic Relations & Protocol/Global Trade Representative and Kimberly Elliott, Global Business and Diplomatic Liaison.
“We will be working in tandem with Business Development targeting new global markets and connecting Nevada’s businesses with opportunities,” says Alan Di Stefano. An integral part of the plan will be communicating Nevada’s renewable energy potential to our trade representatives, honorary consuls and Nevada’s exporters.
In addition to its export readiness programs and trade missions, the additional staff enables the state to take a more proactive approach and meet with the consulates and foreign trade offices with Nevada jurisdiction. The state will also be increasing its promotion of the Invest in America and EB-5 Visa Program.
World Markets Still Bullish on Nevada Products
The recent reports from the U.S. Department of Commerce through July 2009 indicate the world’s buyers and consumers exercised caution this quarter —and, total U.S. exports were down 24.8% nationally, or about $193 billion.
Nevada saw a 7 percent drop in exports; however, the state still leads the nation in export percentage for the year. Leading export destinations were: Switzerland, Canada and China. The state’s primary exports were precious metals, electrical machinery and ores.
Nevada Signs MOU with China
09.09.09 was an auspicious day for global business development in Northern Nevada. A delegation of 28 ministry officials and businesses from the People’s Republic of China lead by Madame Zhang, Deputy Director General of the China Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA) visited Reno to learn more about investment opportunities in the region. Five Northern Nevada companies presented at the meeting—ElectraTherm, RoadRunner Solar, Buena Vista Mining, Fulcrum Energy and Berken Energy.
China is Nevada’s third largest export destination. While the state is not among the top 15 U.S. state exporters to China, Nevada’s exports to China have increased 760 percent since 2002. “Nevada’s combined exports to the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau totaled nearly $500 million last year,” says Lt. Governor Brian K. Krolicki, NCED’s chairman.
Just a short 24 hours before, Chairman Wu Bangguo of the National People's Congress of China and Nevada Lt. Governor Brian K. Krolicki signed a memorandum of understanding to promote mutual investment activities between the Peoples Republic of China and Nevada.
“The memorandum of understanding provides significant opportunity for Nevada to become the East-West Portal,” adds Krolicki.
More Countries Looking to Nevada for Products
In the next 6 weeks, Nevada will host buying delegations in Las Vegas from Europe and Japan, to purchase products from our manufacturers of dietary supplement and over-the-counter products, and from China to purchase raw materials used in the food processing industry.
NCED Seeks International Representatives
for Southeast Asia and China (Shanghai)
The Nevada Commission on Economic Development (NCED) will soon be seeking and reviewing International Representatives to work with the agency to promote export of, and generate demand for, Nevada’s products and services and attract inbound direct investment in Nevada and Nevada businesses in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) and China-Shanghai (covering several Chinese provinces in the Eastern Coast and Central China). The Shanghai-based representative will make the third representative office for NCED in China.
“This open recruiting process is critical to finding the most qualified candidates,” says NCED Commissioner Miranda Du. “NCED’s goal is to select a qualified representative who will deliver measurable results.”
The NCED currently operates foreign offices (by representatives) in the People’s Republic of China (Beijing and Hong Kong), Europe (Italy and the UK), Southeast Asia, Japan and Mexico. These offices provide an array of services designed to assist Nevada companies that enter or expand existing exports to these markets, and serve as an information source for solving trade issues related to the export of products and services.
In 1993, the Nevada Legislature closed all foreign offices due to budget shortfalls. To continue to deliver services to Nevada’s exporters, increase FDI into the state and compete with other states an innovative approach was essential.
Since 2002, the Nevada Commission on Economic Development has positioned itself in eight globally significant markets in Asia and Europe—at no cost to the State of Nevada.
Global Business Development Director, Al DiStefano, says, “Our innovative approach has won national accolades and is producing tangible results.” The program won InBusiness’ “Deal of the Year” award and the Council on State Governments’ prestigious “Innovations” award in 2005.
Representatives have developed new distribution channels in Southeast Asia; brought the first Chinese-owned bank to Nevada; and, facilitated a contract that will bring $30 million to Nevada suppliers.
The NCED anticipates the announcement of International Representatives for Southeast Asia and China-Shanghai in the first quarter of 2010. For more information on the program and details about the RFP, visit the Commission’s website at www.expand2Nevada.com.
Renewable Energy Mission Planned for Spring 2010
Plans are underway for a renewable energy mission to Europe in Spring 2010. Spotlighted countries will be Spain and Germany. The goal is to showcase Nevada’s premier energy companies and match them with business opportunities in Europe. Watch for details.
International Filmmakers See Nevada
from Behind the Lens
Nevada’s film industry contributes more than $100 million each year to the state’s economy—and, international filmmakers help build that total each year. During the past year, 19 international film companies filmed projects in Nevada—from the Argentine television special, Race to Witch Mountain to the British documentary, Piers Morgan on Las Vegas.
More than half of the international film projects originated in the United Kingdom—the remainder of the projects originated in India, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Argentina and France.
Trade Partner Profiles Online
Preparing for a business trip overseas and need to know about a country before you go? You can always visit the U.S. State Department’s website for country overviews. But, where do you go for information about Nevada’s exports to that country? You can visit NCED’s website for “Trade Partner Profiles.”
Nevada currently has nearly 400 businesses engaged in global exports. “These companies are Nevada’s business ambassadors,” says Al DiStefano, global business development director. “We need to provide them with tools to grow Nevada’s international standing as a viable business destination.”
Global Business will be researching and publishing profiles on Nevada’s top 25 export partners. The two-page profiles cover: Nevada’s exports for the past three years; the state’s primary exports to the country; and, Nevada-based companies currently exporting to the country. The profiles are a by-product of briefings prepared for trade missions and visiting delegations.