RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s (VEDP) Division of International Trade today announced that the state’s trade representatives from Brazil, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Mexico will visit Virginia September 9-20, 2002. During their two-week tour across the state, the representatives will meet and counsel Virginia companies interested in the export potential of one or more of these six overseas markets. The tour will visit companies in the following regions:
Date Location
- September 9-11 Hampton Roads
- September 12-13 Roanoke/New River Valley
- September 16 Charlottesville
- September 17-18 Richmond
- September 19 Fredericksburg
- September 19-20 Northern Virginia
“International trade can be an intimidating process with barriers in language, customs and business practices,” said Paul Grossman, Director of International Trade for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. “VEDP’s trade representatives provide valuable, free-of-charge assistance to Virginia companies interested in exploring international opportunities.”
While in the Commonwealth, the international trade representatives are scheduled to meet with more than 70 Virginia companies to discuss export opportunities. In addition to this two-week tour, VEDP’s Division of International Trade plans more than 20 international trade missions annually to promote Virginia’s products and services in foreign markets. VEDP also hosts groups of foreign companies seeking to buy Virginia products. In 2001, Virginia’s international exports totaled $16.4 billion.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, a marketing organization, was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. The Partnership is a state authority, which is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor. To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion within the Commonwealth, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business development and international trade. VEDP has offices in Virginia, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, Brazil, Korea and Japan.
To schedule a meeting with an international trade representative, interested companies can contact Scott Kennedy at 804-371-0052.