As part of the DCEO’s “ Opportunity Returns” program, the Office of Trade and Investment is conducting Sector Specific Trade Missions with companies throughout Illinois’ ten economic regions. The Office of Trade and Investment is working with manufacturers to understand what facets of foreign trade are important to them, and where they wish to market their products internationally. The results are the ten customized trade missions listed below.
Recognizing that each company also has individual marketing needs, the Office of Trade and Investment will continue to offer the individual marketing assistance. Companies requiring assistance in foreign markets should contact our office directly at 312/814-2828.
Ultimately, the Office of Trade and Investment encourages Illinois firms to pursue the export of their products and services by providing cost-effective programs to engage foreign buyers, agents, distributors and/or joint-venture partners.
FY '06 TRADE MISSIONS
AUGUST 2005
Transportation Trade Mission to Czech Republic
August 23-30, 2005
OTI Contact: Iwona Bochenska
312-814-6029
Email: ibochenska@ildceo.net
SEPTEMBER 2005
Bio-Technology Trade Mission – Tokyo, Japan
Bio-Japan Trade Show
September 6-9, 2005
OTI Contact: Terry LaRocca
312-814-6035
Email: tlarocca@ildceo.net
Biotech is an increasingly growing market in Japan and this event is designed to provide small to medium-sized, export ready companies (SMEs) in the biotechnology industry with an efficient, cost effective way to enter the Japanese market and establish profitable commercial relations with prospective agents, distributors, brokers, and end-users. The Illinois Biotechnology Trade Mission will avail these companies the opportunity to become familiar with business partnering in Japan and gain practical international experience in a trade environment that offers the potential for high returns with minimal risk.
OCTOBER 2005
Logistics Mission to China – Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai & Beijing
October 10-21, 2005
OTI Contact: Terry LaRocca
312-814-6035
Email: tlarocca@ildceo.net
The logistics industry in China has progressed from the simplest stages to a period of rapid and substantial growth. The next ten to twenty years will be a golden age for the development of China’s logistical potential. As China becomes a major economic power, the logistics sector is experiencing rapid growth that will soon lower the logistics percentage of GDP to less than 15%. This mission will help Illinois’ economic development partners explore future opportunities like the 2008 Olympics and the Shanghai 2010 World Expo.
Bio-Technology Mission – Johannesburg, South Africa
Biotech Africa 2005 Trade Conference & Expo
October 15-23, 2005
OTI Contact: Charlie Reed
312-814-2091
Email: creed@ildceo.net
In partnership with the Chicago-Cook Business Center, along with the cooperation and assistance of the U.S. Department of Commerce in South Africa, this mission will give Illinois firms an opportunity to showcase at the Illinois Africa booth at the Biotech Africa 2005 Trade Conference and Expo. South Africa is Illinois' number one African export market and BIOTECH AFRICA will be an event designed to provide Illinois small - to - medium sized export-ready companies in the Biotech industry with an efficient, cost-effective opportunity to enter the Africa/world market. This activity will also be an opportunity to encourage and make foreign companies aware of the Bio Tech 2006 Chicago Program. This is the largest show of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
NOVEMBER 2005
Illinois Food Processing & Packaging Trade Mission – Santiago, Chile
November 6-10, 2005
OTI Contact: Mark Harris
312-814-8318
Email: mharris1@ildceo.net
Illinois' exports to Chile have increased 95% over the last three years and specifically Chilean processed food exports topped a record $1B in 2004, a figure expected to double within the next six years, providing strong opportunities for Illinois companies in the processing and packaging equipment industry. This would be the first Illinois trade mission to Chile since the U.S.-Chile free trade agreement entered into effect in January 2004. The new free trade agreement opens real opportunities for Illinois companies considering now the preferential tariffs on U.S. products.
Medical Trade Mission – Düsseldorf, Germany
Medica 2005 Trade Show
November 16-29, 2005
OTI Contact: Iwona Bochenska
312-814-6029
Email: ibochenska@ildceo.net
MEDICA Trade Show is the World's Largest Forum for In-Patient and Out-Patient Medicine. More than 135,000 visitors are expected to obtain information on all the current and future trends in medical field. With its extensive ancillary program, numerous special events, two major congresses and the largest product display in the industry, MEDICA is the hub of the medical trade. Moreover, American medical products are very much sought after and this event provides a very strong opportunity for Illinois companies to exhibit and enter the European market.
DECEMBER 2005
Biotech, Medical & Hi-Tech Trade Mission – India
Bangalore, New Delhi and Mumbai
December 8-16, 2005
OTI Contact: Iwona Bochenska
312-814-6029
Email: ibochenska@ildceo.net
Sales of American goods and services in India are up 25% over last year. We expect this to jump as the Indian Government makes it way down the reform and deregulations path, and as US business increases its awareness of and efforts in India. Meanwhile, Indian firms are investing heavily in production facilities, which we have seen means huge opportunities for American companies. According to the American Chamber of Commerce in India, a majority of U.S. firms with a presence in India are reporting double-digit year-on-year growth.
JANUARY 2006
Medical Equipment, Environmental & Hi-Tech Trade Mission – Israel
January 2006 (Dates TBD)
OTI Contact: Daisy Malek-Shadid
312-814-8480
Email: dmalek-shadid@ildceo.net
The OTI will give Illinois’ small to medium size firms in the medical equipment and environment industry a cost effective opportunity to enter Israel and establish profitable commercial relations with Israeli importers. The Medical Equipment and Environment Trade Mission offers each participant a program of individual business appointments with prospective business partners and market exposure in Israel.
FEBRUARY 2006
Food & Beverage Trade Mission
Toronto, Canada
February 19-21, 2006
OTI Contact: Tom Hagle
312-814-4959
Email: thagle@ildceo.net
The Canadian Food & Beverage Show is the largest food and beverage show in Canada with over 650 exhibitors. More than 9,700 decision making trade visitors attend the Canadian Food & Beverage Show for hotel, restaurant and institutional food and beverage sourcing in this $49 billion market for food and beverages.
The Illinois Food & Beverage Trade Mission offers each participant a “turnkey” exhibition booth, a program of individual business appointments with prospective business partners and market exposure in Canada. Trade Mission participants will benefit from a full range of business facilitation services provided by ITO-DCEO & USFAS, including market research, networking and logistic support.
Horizontal Trade Mission – Mumbai & New Delhi, India
February 2006 (Dates TBD)
OTI Contact: Terry LaRocca
312-814-6035
Email: tlarocca@ilceo.net
Also supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce Commercial Service, this mission will help small manufacturers to explore the vast business opportunities available in the Indian marketplace. Sales of American goods and services are up 25% over last year. We expect this figure to climb even higher as the Indian government makes its way down the path of reform and deregulation, while U.S. business increases its awareness of India’s efforts along those lines. Meanwhile, Indian firms are investing heavily in production facilities which means huge opportunities for Illinois companies.
MARCH 2006
Auto Parts Trade Mission – Beijing & Shanghai
March 2006 (Dates TBD)
OTI Contact: Zhigang Ren
312-814-2335
Email: zren@ildceo.net
China’s automotive industry has witnessed rapid growth. China’s accession to the WTO has helped facilitate the development of the automobile market by encouraging an open, rational market structure. Membership in the WTO means reduction of tariffs, abolition of non-tariff barriers and the opening up of the country’s service sector. China's production capacity is approximately 2.3 million vehicles per year. Sales are not yet at this same level, and inventory continues to pile up. Thus this sector appears to be facing several tough years. However, with continued economic growth, continuing development of roads and expressways and with expected reforms in used cars and financing legislation, the auto market outlook should improve for U.S. companies.
APRIL 2006
Travel & Leisure Trade Mission
Toronto, Canada
April 5-9, 2006
OTI Contact: Tom Hagle
312-814-4959
Email: thagle@ildceo.net
The Illinois Office of Trade and Investment (OTI) of the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will partner with DCEO’s Bureau of Tourism, Illinois Convention and Tourism Bureaus which target International Tourism and the See America Committee of Canada to participate at the Canadian Travel & Leisure Show. This is Canada’s largest trade and consumer travel show.
This event is designed to provide increased exposure and visibility of Illinois destinations to the Canadian Travel and Tourism Marketplace. The mission is a very cost-effective opportunity for individual Illinois Tourism Bureaus to highlight their areas of coverage and attractions.
MAY 2006
Medical Equip, Environmental & Hi-Tech Mission – Turkey, Jordan & Dubai
May 2006 (Dates TBD)
OTI Contact: Daisy Malek-Shadid
312-814-8480
Email: dmalek-shadid@ildceo.net
The OTI will give Illinois’ small to medium size firms in the medical equipment and environment industry a cost effective opportunity to enter the Middle Eastern market and establish profitable commercial relations with importers. The Medical Equipment and Environment Trade Mission offer each participant a program of individual business appointments with prospective business partners and market exposure in Turkey, Jordan and Dubai.
BioFinance Mission
Toronto, Canada
May 2-4, 2006
OTI Contact: Tom Hagle
312-814-4959
Email: thagle@ildceo.net
BioFinance 2006 is the Canadian forum for some of the most innovative minds in the life sciences industry today. BioFinance 2006 consists of over 100 senior management presentations from Canadian, U.S. and European life science companies.
This event is designed to provide small-to-medium sized Illinois Life Science companies in the biotechnology industry with an efficient, cost-effective opportunity to explore and establish relationships with prospective Canadian partners.
The Illinois Biotechnology Trade Mission will provide Illinois firms an ideal opportunity to become familiar with the Life Science opportunities in Canada and gain practical international business experience in a business environment that offers the potential for high returns.
JUNE 2006
Food Processing Equip & Packaging China Mission
Beijing, Shanghai & Guangzhou\
June (Dates TBD)
OTI Contact: Zhigang Ren
312-814-2335
Email: zren@ildceo.net
Illinois' exports to China have increased 22% last year. Food processing and packaging industries have offered one of the strongest opportunities for Illinois companies in the past. As a growth industry we still see great potential in the coming years.
Horizontal Trade Mission – Poland and Spain
June (Dates TBD)
OTI Contact: Iwona Bochenska
312-814-6029
Email: ibochenska@ildceo.net
Poland and Spain are fast-growing markets in Europe reporting solid growth rates annually. They offer numerous business opportunities for the Illinois companies. OTI will pre-qualify decision-makers in Poland and Spain interested in meeting with Illinois participants and will arrange individual face-to-face meetings with key contacts. In addition, companies will receive in-depth business briefings on local laws governing specific sectors, in-country market promotion and full logistical support.
Medical Trade Mission - Sao Paulo, Brazil
June 20-23, 2006
OTI Contact: Mark Harris
312-814-8318
Email: mharris1@ildceo.net
The Medical Trade Mission to Brazil will be centered around the HOSPITALAR trade show. HOSPITILAR is the most complete and specialized health fair in Latin America representing an international forum for a wide range of medical, clinics and hospital products. São Paulo concentrates 65% of the Brazilian consumption market and plays an important role in the healthcare industry, acting as a pioneering city in providing first-class medical services. HOSPITILAR is already established as the leading trading point for new technologies, thus representing a great opportunity for Illinois companies in many areas of the healthcare industry to exhibit their products and services and interact with others in the industry.