Minnesota DEC Newsletter – July 2023
MINNESOTA DISTRICT EXPORT COUNCIL
A quick monthly update for Minnesota exporters from Minnesota District Export Council. Subscribe by simply following instructions at the end of this newsletter.
The MN District Export Council is tasked with a fairly broad mission of growing exports for, and with, Minnesota companies. Our sights have historically been focused on small to medium-sized companies with fewer internal resources to commit to international sales. As a non-profit group, we are constantly thinking about how do we best serve these companies, and do that with little to no cost. At our recent quarterly meeting, our Board went through a brainstorming exercise to think creatively about how we can work toward our mission. Each member present had to come up with eight project or service ideas in eight minutes without considering any limitations on budget, personnel or technology. It was important for us to release any notion of resource limitation and instead focus on the needs of Minnesota exporters. I was impressed and encouraged by the ideas that came out of this exercise and am excited to explore how we bring some of those to life.
As important as this exercise was for our Board, it’s important that we have industry input as well. So, I have an ask of you. Walk yourself through this same exercise. Ask yourself the question “what resources do I wish I had to help me increase export sales?” Write down your ideas and send them to us! We’d love to hear from you. Please send us an email at hello@exportassistance.com with your ideas and we’ll include them in our project review moving forward. Thank you for being a part of our export community!
Shannen Bornsen, MN DEC Chair
Updates for Minnesota Exporters
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE – International Trade Administration – Opportunity To Comment on the Modernization of the Export Promotion Services and Assistance Delivered by the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service
International Trade Administration has published a Request for Comment in the Federal Register on July 7, 2023 to solicit feedback from the general public. The agency is looking for feedback on how they can innovate the services they offer including counseling and fee-based services (Gold Key Service, Single Company Promotion, International Partner Search, and other customized services or trade event assistance).
GCC Safety and Security Opportunities Webinar
July 12, 2023 | 9:00-10:00 AM EST | Cost $25 | Virtual
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region is one of the fastest-growing markets for safety, security, and hunting products. The GCC covers six countries in the Middle East with a combined population of 65 million. Growing cities and infrastructure have created the need for additional safety and security technologies. Learn about the latest safety and security industry trends and opportunities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In-country speakers will include U.S. Embassy staff, and local experts and a live question-and-answer session.
2023 National Export Strategy Updated
The National Export Strategy (NES) is an essential element of the Department’s mission to advance U.S. leadership in the industries of the Future, revitalize domestic manufacturing, and create quality jobs across the country. It sets forth a cohesive strategy and a robust toolkit to support U.S.
View and Download the NES Here
Cleantech Market Opportunities & Financing in Canada and Mexico Webinar | Thursday, July 13, 2023 | 11:00am PDT | Virtual
Please join the U.S. Commercial Service in San Francisco and Entrepreneurs Futures Network / Empower Innovation, an entrepreneur network and associated initiative of the California Energy Commission, as we host the Cleantech Market Opportunities and Financing in Canada & Mexico, Thursday, July 13, 2023, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PDT. Learn about the many cleantech opportunities in Canada and Mexico’s expanding energy mix and an upcoming trade mission as we hear from Commercial Service Specialists from Canada and Mexico and learn about additional opportunities and financing options available to fund alternative energy strategies in these two growing markets from the Export Import Bank (EXIM), the official export credit agency of the United States. The event will conclude with question & answer session with the event speakers. If your U.S. company specializes in Renewable Energy, Environmental Tech, Decarbonization Tech & Air Pollution Control, and/or Water & Waste Water, then this is an event that cannot be missed! Join us as we work to support the UN Climate goals to expand the energy transition mix by 2050! For questions, please reach out to me, Maria.Rivero@trade.gov
WEFTEC | Conference: September 30-October 4, 2023 & Exhibition: October 2-4, 2023 | Chicago, IL
The Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) is the largest annual water and wastewater event in the world. The exhibition includes 773 exhibitors. The conference includes more than 120 technical sessions, 17 workshops, 9 technology spotlights (formerly mobile sessions), 11 learning exchanges, and more than 18,000 registrants. Join the U.S. Commercial Service as we partner with the Water Environment Federation (WEF) to offer U.S. exhibitors the opportunity to meet with international buying delegates from more than 20 countries through our Business-to-Business (B2B) matchmaking program. U.S. companies can also meet with U.S. Department of Commerce industry specialists from our U.S. Embassies and Consulates from around the world who are leading the international buyer delegations. Our International Market Counseling program offers U.S. exhibitors one-on-one meetings to learn about market developments, trends, and upcoming opportunities in key markets around the world. Stop by the Global Center (right next to registration) to connect with our staff throughout the show and attend international-focused sessions. Questions? Elizabeth.Laxague@trade.gov
Environmental Technology Resource Guide
Looking for your next international market? Wanting to learn more about the latest opportunities in key countries around the world? Our recently released Environmental Technologies Resource Guide has market snapshots from over 20 countries around the world. Our industry specialists in those markets would be happy to help U.S. exporters learn more and take advantage of the opportunities highlighted in the Resource Guide. Read More
The Department of Commerce Advances U.S. Economic Competitiveness and Supply Chain Resiliency through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)
In May, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai hosted 13 international partners in Detroit, Michigan, to advance the Biden Administration’s economic priorities in the Indo-Pacific. The Detroit ministerial meeting included the announcement of the substantial conclusion of negotiations on the IPEF Supply Chain Agreement. The Agreement would make supply chains more resilient and competitive by creating an IPEF Supply Chain Council and Supply Chain Crisis Response Network, among other innovative mechanisms, to ensure resilient, reliable, and efficient supply chains.
To learn more about IPEF and how it will advance resilience, sustainably, inclusiveness, economic growth, fairness, and competitiveness for our economy, listen to remarks at CSIS and hear from Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago and Chief IPEF Negotiator Sharon Yuan at the U.S.-Indo-Pacific Conference 2023 and view the Press Release detailing the IPEF Supply Chain Agreement.
Doing Business in Europe Webinar Series: Eurasia and South Caucasus
July 18, 2023 | 10:00 am EDT | Virtual | Cost $30
The U.S. Commercial Service’s Europe Team invites American exporters to join us for market briefings with our U.S. Embassy colleagues across Europe. Each session will cover the status of the market, key target sectors, new procedures or guidelines, and developing trends. Speakers include American government officials and industry experts. We invite you to join our fourth session covering opportunities in Eurasia, Kazakhstan and the South Caucasus countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
MN DEC’s Legislative Education and Outreach Committee has produced its first white paper on EU Medical Device Regulation. Please reach out to us for a copy. We are in the process of completing a second white paper on need for dedicated in depth educational tracks for export specialists graduating from institutions of higher learning.
Need help getting started in exporting in Minnesota? Contact us here.
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Minnesota District Export Council Directors are appointed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Our Minnesota Directors can be found here. If you are based in Minnesota and are interested in joining, please send us a note here.
STEP Funds (Grant available to U.S. SMEs looking to Export Internationally) via Small Business Administration
Country Commercial Guides cover 125 international markets by the U.S. Commercial Service