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WISCONSIN
WORLDWIDE
Vol.
5 #4, March 2006
Wisconsin
Exports Soar above National Average
Wisconsin exporters set a record in 2005 by shipping nearly $15 billion
worth of products to other countries. State exports grew by
17.45% over the previous year and totaled $14,923,486,505.
Wisconsin’s growth rate exceeded that of the country as a
whole by nearly 7%. Total U.S. exports grew by 10.57% and
amounted to $904,379,818,171. Only ten states posted larger
total dollar value increases in their exports than Wisconsin.
Of Wisconsin’s top 20 export destinations, 16 posted double
digit growth rates. Likewise, of the top 20 product
categories, 16 also experienced double digit growth. Almost
half of Wisconsin’s exports stay within North America, but
state firms are able to compete successfully in many parts of the
world. Wisconsin is a major producer of capital goods that
are in demand around the world as manufacturers in other countries seek
to upgrade their facilities and increase their productivity.
Canada continues to be the #1 international destination for Wisconsin
products. Our northern neighbors purchased $5,237,727,730
worth of state products, up 7.85% over the previous year.
Among the 50 states, Wisconsin ranks 10th in exports to
Canada. Industrial machinery accounts for nearly 40% of
Wisconsin exports to Canada. More machinery is shipped to
Canada than total exports to Mexico, the state’s #2 export
destination.
Exports to Mexico grew by 25.24% and totaled $1,333,042,573.
Electrical machinery grew by 68.17% and accounts for 27.5% of those
shipments. The category continues to be dominated by
miscellaneous battery components. Industrial machinery grew
by 16.7% and accounts for 18.57% of the total. Exports of
paper were down 9.85% while vehicles were up 22.51%.
Japan posted an 11.42% increase in purchases from Wisconsin, reversing
a 23.5% decline in 2004. Scientific and medical instruments
account for 38.97% of Wisconsin exports there and grew by
5.03%. Exports of industrial machinery grew by 18.23% and
electrical machinery by 43.81%.
Wisconsin’s exports to China grew by 15.51%.
Industrial machinery exports there grew by 11.49%. Over a
third of this category is comprised of parts for construction
equipment, office machines, and engines. The #2 category of
Wisconsin exports to China is medical and scientific
instruments. Wisconsin is the #2 state for exports of both
X-ray equipment and non-electrical surgical and medical devices.
If the 25 countries of the European Union were counted as a single
export destination, they would rank #2 for Wisconsin
shipments. Exports to the EU grew by 24.08% and totaled
$3,180,755,977. Ranked individually, the United Kingdom is
#5, up 24.27%. Germany is #6, up 19.32%. France is
#8, up 13.73%. Belgium is #9, up 13.55%. Wisconsin
exports to the EU are dominated by industrial and electrical machinery
and scientific and medical instruments. Vehicle exports, the
#4 category grew by 67.67% and cereals, the #5 category, grew by 75.34%.
Excel spreadsheets showing Wisconsin exports from 1996-2005 by product
categories and by destinations
are available on-line at the Department
of Commerce website.
New Members of the
Wisconsin International Trade Team
Wisconsin businesses seeking to expand or initial their export sales
can call upon the services of two new members of the Wisconsin
International Trade Team. Gregory A. Miller has been hired as
the newest Outreach Consultant for the Wisconsin Department of Commerce
International Division and will be starting May 1, 2006. His
duties are to work one-on-one with Wisconsin businesses interested in
initiating or expanding their international efforts by offering
technical assistance, explanations of foreign business practices and
distribution channels, market research advice, and introductions to the
state’s network of international representatives. Mr. Miller
will be headquartered in Madison and his territory runs from Jefferson
and Walworth Counties in the east to the Mississippi and from the
Illinois state line to Stevens Point. Mr. Miller replaces Lou
Janowski who retired after 16 years with the department.
For the last seven years, Mr. Miller has been an International
Marketing Professional with Enterprise Florida, the public-private
partnership responsible for leading Florida's statewide economic
development efforts. In Florida he provided counseling and
support services similar to those we will be called upon to provide in
Wisconsin. He has organized trade missions to Mexico, Costa
Rica, Panama, and Australia. Mr. Miller is originally from
the West Bend area. He has a Master’s Degree in
Management from the United States Sports Academy and a BS in Business
Administration from UW-Green Bay.
Jennifer (Jen) Pino-Gallagher joined the International AgriBusiness
Center at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer
Protection as of March 6th. Ms. Pino-Gallagher most recently
worked as international marketing manager for CUNA Mutual Group. She
was responsible for the execution of strategic and tactical marketing
initiatives in Europe, China and the Caribbean. She has held positions
with Isthmus Publishing, Getty Images and the Wisconsin Energy
Conservation Corporation. In addition to her business
experience, she has a farming background and a passion for agriculture.
Ms. Pino-Gallagher grew up on a small farm in northeast Iowa where her
family managed a successful dairy operation. They also raised beef and
hogs. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and
Spanish from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. She also
studied at the University of Colima and Monterrey Technical Institute,
both in Colima, Mexico.
Brazil's
Drive for Renewable Energy
by
Claudia Tomaselli, Partner of the Brazilian Consulting firm TVZ
International and Director of Wisconsin's Trade Office in Brazil
 Climbing
prices for petroleum are stimulating the search for different
sources of renewable energy in the world, and Brazil is a leader in
this search. Beginning with production of green fuel from
sugar cane in the early 1970s, Brazil has sought to reduce its
dependence upon foreign oil and become a reference center for ethanol
production and dual fuel technology.
In the 1970s and ‘80s Brazil invested $16 billion in genetic
research to improve the sugar cane crop, subsidize alcohol prices, and
finance the production of machinery and equipment at low interest
rates. Declining petroleum prices coupled with increased demand for
other uses of sugar in the late ‘80s caused the demand for
alcohol-powered vehicles to evaporate. Brazil continues to
experiment with new fuel sources. A large number of raw
materials have been studied, including tallow and over 40 kinds of
oleaginous plants like the castor plant, soy beans, peanuts,
sunflowers, and babassu palm.
The first Brazilian dual fuel prototype was created in 1994 by the
German multinational company Bosch at its facility in São
Paulo state. Last February, 80% of new cars sold in Brazil
were of the dual fuel type. A Chinese car assembler has just
commissioned a dual fuel car from the Brazilian firm, Magneti
Marelli. India, the 2nd largest world producer of sugar cane,
has sent scientists to Brazil to study the technology. Belgium, Dutch
and German sugar producers have also recently visited a sugar mill in
the State of São Paulo.
The number of favorable factors that Brazil enjoys – vast
areas available for agricultural use, good soil, abundant solar
radiation, manpower availability, industrial capacity and technological
expertise – can certainly make Brazil the largest world
producer of renewable energy, including the already well-established
ethanol. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
administration’s mission is to make bio-diesel the second
largest energy source in Brazil, following hydroelectric
power. The National Bio-diesel Program also aims at reducing
pollution in urban centers and at providing incentives to cooperative
family farming. The President has stated that the
program to foster bio-diesel production in Brazil will have the
logistic support of Petrobras, the state owned oil company, in order to
ensure product distribution within Brazil.
Retail diesel prices in Brazil are about US$ 2.20 per gallon, a quarter
of which is tax, hypothetically leaving a margin for the Federal
Government to further increase bio-diesel production incentives.
Wisconsin companies interested in the Brazilian renewable energy market
should be aware that Brazil will host the Latin American Renewable
Energy Fair- LAREF 2006 November
9-11, 2006 in Rio de Janeiro. This
trade fair will take place in conjunction with the International Rio 6
– World Climate and Energy Event. The Wisconsin
Trade Office in Brazil can help
you meet important business contacts
and decision makers at these important events.
Meeting
Wisconsin’s International Trade Representatives
Arrangements for the annual visit of staff from Wisconsin’s
network of international trade offices are
underway. The visit is scheduled for May
7-12 and will include stops in Madison, Milwaukee, Neenah, and Eau
Claire. Participants include:
- Ms. Magda Völker,
Director
Ms. Vania Zulatto, Director
Wisconsin Trade Office in Brazil
- Ms. Nancy Ward, Director
Council of Great Lakes Governors Canadian Trade Office
- Mr. Paul Swenson, Director
Ms. Jane Zhang, Assistant Director
Council of Great Lakes Governors China Trade Office
- Ms. Kara Smith, Director
Ms. Kate Clarke, Director
Taskforce Europe - Wisconsin European Office
- Mr. Vincent Lencioni,
Director
Mr. Marcos Hernandez Rivas, Assistant Director
Wisconsin Trade Office in Mexico
While Wisconsin does not currently have an office in Japan, Mr.
Takahiro "Taka" Hagisako, Business Advisor for the Japan External Trade
Organization (JETRO), will be traveling with the group. Mr.
Hagisako is based in Madison.
The directors will speak at several events and will be available for
one-on-one consultations. Scheduled events include:
Tuesday
May 9 |
Morning
|
Milwaukee
|
International
Credit Executives Meeting and
Individual Meetings
|
Afternoon
|
Milwaukee |
Wisconsin
International
Trade Conference and Individual
Meetings |
Wednesday
May 10 |
Morning |
Milwaukee |
Individual
Meetings |
| Afternoon |
Neenah |
Global
Perspectives
Lunch and Individual Meetings |
Thursday
May 11 |
Morning |
Madison |
Individual
Meetings |
| Afternoon |
Madison |
Joint Wisconsin
Innovation Network &
Madison
International Trade Association
event |
| Afternoon |
Eau
Claire
|
Doing
Business Globally -
Wisconsin Meets the World and
Individual Meetings |
Friday
May 12 |
Morning |
Madison |
Individual
Meetings |
To schedule an individual
meeting with a specific director, please contact:
Milwaukee
(May 9-10) and
Madison (May 11-12) |
Neenah
(May 10) |
Eau
Claire (May 11) |
Jennifer
Winner
ph:
(608) 266-0413
jennifer.winner@wisconsin.gov
or
Christine Stamm
ph: (608) 264-7824
christine.stamm@wisconsin.gov
|
Brad
Schneider
ph: (920) 420-1796
brad.schneider@wisconsin.gov
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John
Konkel
ph: (715) 833-6441
jkonkel@cvtc.edu
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China
Trade Policy Review
 As part of an effort to
prove he is
getting tough with China, U.S.
Trade Representative Rob Portman
announced on February 14 that
“the time has come to readjust our trade policy with respect
to China.” Ambassador Portman’s comments were in a
covering letter to a report to Congress: U.S. – China Trade
Relations: Entering a New Phase of Greater Accountability.
This report is the first full review of U.S. – China trade
relations since China joined the WTO in 2001.
The report recommends:
- Creating a China Enforcement
Task Force within the Trade Representative’s Office to
monitor China’s compliance with its trade obligations;
- Adding personnel to the USTR
China Office to collect and review China trade information;
- Increase coordination
regarding China issues with other trading partners;
- Strengthening trade
relations with other Asian countries;
- Increasing dialogue with
Chinese decision makers; and
- Strengthening U.S.
government interagency coordination, including regular USTR briefings
to Congress.
While many U.S. companies continue to worry about price competition
from China, others are very excited about selling to the country, but
are concerned about protecting their intellectual property.
Bill Reinsch, president of the National Foreign Trade Council, is
quoted in the Journal of Commerce saying intellectual property
protection “is the area where there is the widest consensus
in the private sector about taking a tougher approach to
China. There is a widely held view that Chinese enforcement
even of its own intellectual property regulations has been
inadequate. Their laws are not bad but they are not willing
to enforce them.”
In 2005 the United States exported $41.837 billion worth of products to
China. That was a 20% increase over the previous
year. From 2004 to 2005 U.S. imports of Chinese-made goods
grew by 24% to total $243.462 billion, resulting in a $201.625 billion
trade deficit. Fifteen percent of U.S. imports come from
China, more than from any other country other than Canada.
Click here
for the full report from the USTR.
Wood
Packaging
Regulations for Mexico
Effective February 1, Mexico began enforcing new sanitary regulations
for wood packaging materials (NOM 144-SEMARNAT-2004). All
wood packaging materials must now be treated by recognized
phytosanitary methods and be marked with the approved treatment
identity mark. Information on the approved methods can be
found on-line at the USDA
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS) website. Having the
approved identification marks on packaging
does not exempt it from inspection by PROFEPA, Mexico’s
equivalent of the Environmental Protection Agency.
If wood packaging arrives in Mexico without the approved treatment
identity mark, the importer must have the packaging treated with one of
the approved methods or can repackage the goods with approved
materials. The original, non-treated material will be
returned to the exporting country. The importer will be
responsible for any costs incurred.
Before any of your Mexican customers get billed for services related to
untreated wood packaging, verify with your shipping department, export
packaging company, or freight forwarder that your packaging materials
are in compliance with these regulations.
Multilingualism in Europe
 A
recent survey shows
that EU
enlargement and changing economic
opportunities are affecting the languages spoken in Europe.
The European Union recognizes 20 official languages and about 60 other
indigenous and non-indigenous languages are spoken in the
region. Over half of the citizens of EU member states are
able to hold a conversation in a language other than their mother
tongue. Eleven percent are capable of speaking three
languages. Luxembourg, Slovakia, and Latvia are the most
multilingual while Ireland and the United Kingdom are the least.
English is the most widely spoken language in Europe. Just
over a half of EU citizens speak it as their mother tongue or as a
second or third language. Over three-quarters of EU citizens
believe that their children should learn English as their first foreign
language.
German is spoken by 32% of EU citizens – 18% as their mother
tongue and 14% as a foreign language. French is the #3 spoken
language with 18% using it as their mother tongue and 14% as a foreign
language. Other languages spoken by more than 10% of the
population are Italian (16%), Spanish (15%), and Polish
(10%). While Russian is not one of the EU’s
official languages, 7% of the population speaks that language.
The reasons cited for learning additional languages are increasingly
tied to practical benefits, such as the opportunity to use the skills
at work (32%) or to work abroad (27%). Speaking the local
language while vacationing abroad is still the #1 reason cited (35%),
but that represents a decline of 12% from a similar survey conducted in
2001.
Follow the links for more information:
12-page
Summary, 486kb
176-page
full report, 6942kb
International
Education Recommendations
 Wisconsin’s
International Education Council, chaired by State
Superintendent of Public Instruction Libby Burmaster,
has published 26
recommendations to help state students become globally literate and
capable of succeeding in the increasingly interconnected world of the
future. The recommendations provide a unified plan for
internationalizing pre-K – 16 education and for bringing
these efforts to all Wisconsin citizens.
The recommendations are grouped under five areas:
- Global literacy,
- Languages,
- Global training for teachers,
- Intercultural experiences
for all citizens, and
- International linkages for
Wisconsin businesses and government.
The council’s recommendations create an expectation that
Wisconsin students will study and speak proficiently languages in
addition to English; will travel abroad for school programs, arts
exchanges, or internship experiences; will engage in problem solving
and build mediation skills so they will thrive in a world where ideas
and ideologies may compete; and will have more opportunities to
experience and learn to appreciate the many multicultural opportunities
available in Wisconsin’s diverse ethnic and racial
communities. The council’s recommendations ensure
that global studies move beyond social studies and world language
classrooms to encompass the entire curriculum. The
Council’s full report is available on line at
http://dpi.wisconsin.gov/cal/pdf/ie-recom.pdf.
The Council has also created five regional alliances around the state
to promote international education on a more local level. To
become active in the regional alliance in your part of the state,
contact Madeline
A. Uranek at the Department of
Public Instruction, ph:
(608) 267-2278.
Strong
Canadian Dollar
 Just
a few short years ago some U.S.
business people grumbled about the
falling Canadian dollar negatively affecting their ability to compete
with Canadian producers. On Thursday, March 2 the Canadian
dollar soared to a 14-year high of 88.5 U.S. cents. It has
since dropped back to 86.13 U.S. cents as of
yesterday. Some forecasters are predicting that the
“loonie” could hit 90 cents for the first time in
25 years sometime this spring.
The strength of the Canadian economy has pushed up the value of its
currency. Higher oil prices have led to a major boom in the
oil sands region of Alberta and to a lesser degree in Newfoundland and
Labrador. Our northern neighbor also has fiscal and current
account surpluses, low unemployment, low inflation, and low interest
rates.
While Canada’s resource sector is benefiting from the
appreciation in the Canadian dollar, the manufacturing sector is
struggling with increased competition from lower-cost international
producers. Manufacturers are seeking to increase productivity
and introduce new technology in order to maintain their
markets. Increased demand coupled with a more favorable
exchange rate should help Wisconsin exporters of capital equipment to
sell even more to the state’s largest international customer.
The biennial Canadian Manufacturing Week trade show will be held in
Toronto September 26-28. Wisconsin’s Canadian Trade
Office can conduct market overview studies and agent/distributor or
client/end-user searches and arrange appointments for exporters of
capital equipment interested in using the show to enter or expand their
activities in the Canadian market. For more information on
Canadian market services, contact Commerce’s Canadian
Specialist, Stanley Pfrang, ph: (608) 267-0639,
stanley.pfrang@wisconsin.gov.
Healthcare
Market Opportunities in Brazil
 Brazil is the largest
economy in South
America and its healthcare
sector is worth approximately $56 billion per year. In 2005,
the United States exported over $800 million worth of medical and
health-related products to Brazil. Wisconsin accounted for
10% of those sales and was the third ranked state for such exports to
Brazil. The Wisconsin Trade Promotion Office in
São Paulo will arrange one-on-one appointments for state
firms seeking to break into or expand their presence in the Brazilian
market during the 13th International Fair for Products, Equipment,
Services and Technology for Hospitals, Health Clinics and Laboratories
(HOSPITALAR).
HOSPITALAR is the most complete and specialized health fair in Latin
America and will take place in São Paulo, Brazil, June
20-23, 2006. Of the fair's 1000 exhibitors, one quarter come
from 29 different countries outside Brazil. Thousands of items used in
the healthcare sector can be seen at HOSPITALAR. The fair
covers a wide range of medical/health related products and services
from the most sophisticated state-of-the-art medical technology to more
practical equipment. Last year's event was attended by over
77,000 visitors from 54 different countries. HOSPITALAR is
also considered an important healthcare forum, bringing together
hospital directors, and other healthcare experts from all over Latin
America. In 2005, 48 congresses, conferences, and sector
meetings were held simultaneously with the trade show.
HOSPITALAR is held in cooperation with MEDICA - World Medical Fair and
is affiliated with the International Hospital Federation (IHF), the
world hospital association.
For more information on the Brazilian market or to arrange a one-on-one
appointment schedule with potential representatives and/or clients
during HOSPITALAR, contact Susan Dragotta, phone: (262) 691-5147,
susan.dragotta@wisconsin.gov.
NAFTA
Seminar
After
the positive response to the “Exporting to Canada”
seminars that the Wisconsin Department of Commerce and the Department
of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection held in Wausau and
Pewaukee last September, the departments are helping organize
“Avoiding Roadblocks to Increased NAFTA Sales,” a
similar program, but expanding the focus to include Mexico.
The seminar will be part of the 42nd annual Wisconsin International
Trade Conference to be held in Milwaukee on May 9.
Canada and Mexico are Wisconsin’s two most important export
markets. Almost half of the products exported from the state
remain within North America. Because of this high volume of
business, an understanding of border procedures, tariff preferences,
and paperwork can have an impact upon many firms’ bottom
lines. Products qualifying for NAFTA preferential treatment
can save customers from paying higher duty rates and improperly
completed paperwork can cause delays and expose exporters to fines,
penalties, and audits.
Presenters with hands-on experience in NAFTA compliance, from both the
Canadian and Mexican perspectives, will discuss tariff classifications,
NAFTA Certificates of Origin (including rules of origin, and examples
of tariff shifts and regional value content calculations), Mexican NOMs
(Normas Oficiales), border procedures, and record keeping.
Julie Milliard, Compliance Verification and Services Office of the
Canada Border Services Agency, and a presenter at the September events,
will be back to speak on Canada. Allen Vigil, Director of
Business Development for Grupo Logistics, a customs broker and
logistics firm operating at many US/Mexico border sites, along with
Marcos Hernandez Rivas, Assistant Director of the Wisconsin Trade
Office in Mexico City, will present the Mexican side of the
issue. Louisa Elder, Trade Specialist, Western Hemisphere
Customs and Trade Compliance at Abbott Laboratories, will address the
topic from an exporter’s perspective. Vince
Lencioni and Nancy Ward, Directors of Wisconsin's trade offices in
Mexico and Canada, will also participate in the Q&A session.
Members of the sales, marketing, logistics, customer service, credit,
finance, and compliance departments within your company can benefit
from a better understanding of NAFTA requirements and learn the secrets
to smoother cross border shipments, sales, and profits. More
information on the seminar and the Wisconsin International Trade
Conference will soon be available on-line at http://www.mwta.com.
Business
Development Trip to Mexico
Is
your company benefiting from three years of double-digit export growth
to Mexico? Wisconsin exports last year were up 25%, on top of
35% and 10% growth in 2004 and 2003 respectively. If you
would like to expand your sales in Mexico, consider joining us for a
Business Development Trip to Mexico City and Guadalajara, capital of
Wisconsin Sister-State of Jalisco, in Autumn 2006.
Wisconsin’s trade office in Mexico City will arrange business
appointments for you with pre-qualified prospective representatives,
distributors or clients. You will have the opportunity to
travel with other local exporters, sharing expertise, and learning best
practices. Companies in the hardware or restaurant/hotel
equipment sectors can also plan to visit the Expo Ferretera or Abastur
show during the Mission. For more information about this
Business Development Trip please contact our Latin america Specialist,
Susan Dragotta, ph: (262)
691-5147, susan.dragotta@wisconsin.gov.
New
Chinese
Airports Offer Opportunity for Wisconsin Suppliers
Because of continuing economic development, China is rapidly expanding
the number and size of its airports, especially in the southwestern
parts of the country. The Wisconsin Trade Office in China will have a
booth at an upcoming trade event for airport supplies and services and
can represent Wisconsin exporters interested in the market.
According to the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China
(CAAC), China's airports handled 240 million passengers in 2004, up
38.8%, and 5.5 million tons of cargo, up 22.3% over the previous year.
The CAAC estimates that by 2010 there will be an annual passenger
volume of 500 million people through China's airports and a cargo of
over 10 million tons. By 2020, annual passenger volumes will reach 1.4
billion, while cargo will reach 30 million tons. The CAAC
currently has 37 airports under its authority in its southwest
district, with the numbers expected to rise to 48 by 2010 and 60 by
2020. Key airports in this region will also be expanded to meet the
increasing volume of passengers.
To facilitate this expansion, the CAAC, the China Council for the
Promotion of International Trade, and the Sichuan Development and
Reform Commission are sponsoring the Western China Airport Summit 2006
May 26-27 in Sichuan. This event is ideal for companies and service
suppliers involved in areas such as:
- Airline Catering
- Currency Exchange Machinery
- Electronic Displays /
Monitors
- Airport Design
- Traffic Control Systems
- Airport or Public Area
Building Materials
- Public Area Equipment
- Cleaning Tools
- Emergency Response Equipment
- Emergency Response Vehicles
- Security Machinery
- Airport Management
Consulting
- Freight Handling
- Baggage Handling Machinery
- Deicing Machinery
- Airport Vehicles
- Other Airport Operation and
Construction Related Fields
The Wisconsin Trade Office will be sponsoring a booth and catalog
exhibit with other Great Lakes states at the event. Staff will collect
leads, summarize product needs, and supply attendee lists to
participating Wisconsin firms. There is a $100 charge for the service.
For more information on exhibiting or sending materials contact Paul
Swenson, Director of Wisconsin's China Trade Office, phone: (011)
(8621) 3228-3505, paul.swenson@thechinahand.com.
The event is also open to speakers and firms seeking to exhibit with
their own booths. Oshkosh Truck has been invited as a speaker for this
event.
For more information on the summit and speaker program, visit
www.westchinasummit.org/airport_Summit.php
or contact:
Allan D. Peter
Deputy Secretary General
Organizing Committee Western China Airport Summit
Suite 17D, Jian Jing Building
No.1399, Beijing Xi Road,
Shanghai 200040
CHINA
ph: (011) (8621) 5169 6210
FAX: (011) (8621) 6247 3559
allanp@gisconsult.net
Southwest China is not the only part of the country with airport
projects on the table. Airport Authority Hong Kong recently
has earmarked $576.9 million for a series of facility and capacity
enhancement projects at Hong Kong International Airport. One
third of the funds will be spent on the passenger terminal while the
remainder will be used for work on the airfield to accommodate larger
and more frequent cargo flights. Completion is scheduled for
2010.
For more information about business opportunities in China, contact our
Asia Specialist, Beng Yeap, ph: (608) 691-5147, beng.yeap@wisconsin.gov.
Export
Award
Nominations Sought
 There
is still time to nominate firms for the Governor's Export Achievement
Awards Competition. The awards will be presented at the 42nd
Annual Wisconsin International Trade Conference, to be held May 9 in
Milwaukee. Nominations can be submitted to the Wisconsin
Department of Commerce until April 7, 2006.
The awards are intended to recognize firms and organizations that have
achieved extraordinary results in international sales or have
contributed to Wisconsin's increased ability to compete in a global
market. Any agricultural, forestry, industrial, high
technology or service enterprise successfully engaging in or assisting
in the export of Wisconsin-origin products or services can be
nominated. An Export Assistance Award is also presented to
firms or organizations that provide international business services to
customers in Wisconsin. These can include educational, financial,
language, logistical, legal, or other service providers that have
helped Wisconsin exporters succeed.
Additional information on the awards, including categories, nomination
forms, and names of past winners can be obtained at
http://www.commerce.wi.gov/ie/IE-ExportAwards.html
or by calling (608)
267-0587.
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