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International trade data from WISER

CBIA Member Manufacturing Companies

CBIA Member Companies Supporting International Trade

Training

Consulting Services

Customs Brokers

Transportation Services

International Banking

International Tax

International Law

Other

Connecticut Trade Associations

Connecticut-Based Government Agencies & Programs

Connecticut Academic Programs & Services

Trade Associations

Federal Government

Agencies & Programs

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

American Chambers of Commerce Abroad(AmCham)

International Resources 

Export Documentation

International Marketing

Foreign Trade

Transportation

Other Helpful Resources for International Trade

Frequently Asked Questions

CBIA Membership

CTJobs.com - job postings

Resource List of Organizations Supporting
International Trade

Compiled by the Connecticut Business & Industry Association 

Training

The Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) Program, a Department of Commerce initiative, provides U.S. companies and organizations competitive grants to host professionals from Eurasia for 3-6 months. SABIT is committed to promoting Eurasian economic development by providing hands-on training to managers and scientists in U.S. business practices, while advancing market access through
cross-border relationships and public-private partnerships.

SABIT grants help foster relationships between export-ready small and medium enterprises with potential customers, distributors, or partners in Eurasia. The majority of U.S. host companies enter into business
relationships with their SABIT intern. U.S. host companies also receive assistance from interns in areas such as market access, certification, customs, taxation, logistics, networking, and accessing marketing data.

In January of 2004 SABIT will open the next round of Grant funding. Applications will be accessible through registration on our website (http://www.mac.doc.gov/sabit/).

Consulting Services

The Chirico Group specializes in bringing together corporations and businesses from the two largest world markets; China and the United States of America (USA). We have the knowledge, experience, and internal network of contacts and personnel to make your business venture a success.

Colechurch International LLC is an affiliate of Colechurch International Ltd in the United Kingdom. We specialize in international project promotion and management on behalf of our clients. We provide consulting, financing and investment services as well as project support and implementation services to US companies seeking to establish international subsidiaries or joint ventures or outsourcing advice and strategy.                                                                             

We assist foreign and domestic clients in a broad range of commercial endeavors, finance and investment transactions and litigation -- locally, across the United States and around the world.

FFF Associates provides consulting services for exporters of food products, thereby allowing them to expand their business. FFF Associates also works with Governmental and Non-Governmental Agencies to facilitate exports and international trade.

ISO 9000 consulting and consulting on other compliance standards worldwide.

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Performance Programs provides management and executive 360-degree feedback surveys, as well as psychological tests designed to predict individual suitability for an overseas assignment. Tests and surveys are available through their Web site. The assessments measure 14 distinct individual attributes that are crucial for successful adaptation to another culture. The reports are delivered as part of predeparture coaching. In early 1999, Performance Programs expects to have a test available that will help predict the successful adaptation of business travelers and their spouses.

Consulting services are available on tax issue and human resource issues in overseas offices.

Focus on Europe, Latin America, Asia and Israel. Practice areas include venture capital and international finance; international contracts, including distribution and licensing arrangements; organizations, including joint ventures; immigration of executives; and international legal documentation.

Customs Brokers

International Tariff Management (ITM) specializes in a systematic approach to ensuring that your company takes advantage of the opportunities afforded by the Customs regulations to reduce your total duty burden. This includes duty drawback as well as valuation and classification of imported goods. ITM also can help on NAFTA matters and can perform compliance assessment audits to assure compliance with the regulations.

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Transportation Services

Emo Trans is a 30-year -old company who's Connecticut office is dedicated to serving the international transportation needs of Connecticut companies. Emo Trans services both air and ocean freight to and from anywhere in the world through our office and agent network of over 30 full service terminals in 80 countries.

Port Connecticut is published by Global Business Perspectives Inc. in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Aviation & Ports and the Connecticut World Trade Association. The resource directory is a public-private partnership, produced without state funding.
" Port Connecticut 2001 marks the fifth year that this valuable resource hasbeen produced in cooperation between Global Business Perspectives Inc. and the state of Connecticut," noted Connecticut Governor John G. Rowland in a letter to Port Connecticut readers. "I urge you to continue to use and support this important tool that promotes the state’s transportation and international trade infrastructure."

International Banking

Bank of America provides a complete range of international banking services including trade financing, FX, international cash management and correspondent banking.

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Commercial and standby letters of credit; spot contracts; U.S. and foreign cash letters; drafts, international wire transfer and banker's acceptances; Ex-Im Bank programs.

International Tax

Focus on international tax issues.

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International Law

Day Pitney LLP assists foreign and domestic clients in a broad range of commercial endeavors, finance and investment transactions and litigation in the United States and abroad. They provide advice and services regarding: joint ventures here and abroad; litigation; dispute resolution proceedings, mediation and arbitration; tax matters; drafting and negotiating contracts, international financial transactions, foreign leasing companies and lenders in U.S. financial transactions; international trade and customs compliance; and protection of intangible property rights, trademarks and copyrights.

A law firm that focuses on Europe, Latin America and Asia. Practice in areas of general export issues, international contracts, joint ventures and other strategic transactions and intellectual property.

Robinson & Cole, LLP provides a full range of business-related legal services to domestic and foreign clients, including American subsidiaries of foreign companies. Our 140 lawyers regularly provide services in various areas such as: acquisitions and joint ventures; admiralty and maritime matters; arbitration and dispute resolution; intellectual property; product liability avoidance and defense; regulation of foreign investment and trade practices and competition.

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A large international practice, representing U.S. companies in connection with exports and overseas ventures as well as foreign entities doing business in the U.S.

Other

Association Resources , Inc. is an international association management company, who for over 20 years, has helped organizations, including healthcare providers, higher education, counselors and law enforcement administrators exceed their potential in the areas of membership, conferences and professional development, among others.

Connecticut Light & Power offers a free Global Network registry of Connecticut manufacturers interested in mutually beneficial partnerships, licensing agreements or shared distribution networks with foreign companies. This registry accompanies State trade missions seeking to encourage investment abroad, and is distributed through foreign chambers of commerce and other international business organizations. To access, provide the SIC code of the manufacturer being sought, or a description of the product, and CL&P will search company records for a suitable match. Potential partners will be approached in confidence by CL&P’s field personnel to determine interest and ability to supply the desired product(s). Names and contacts will then be forwarded to the requesting party.

Gibbs-Bower International does approximately 30%-40% of its business outside the U.S. Gibbs-Bower is America’s oldest and best known seller of used machinery for manufacturing and converting paper, film, foil, and packaging products.

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New NIST Service Tracks Foreign Tech Regulations

Want to know about pending changes in technical regulations in Brazil, the United Kingdom, Korea or any of the 148 nations that are members of the World Trade Organization (WTO)? Then sign up for the Notify U.S. service to be unveiled July 1 by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Notify U.S. is the successor to Export Alert!, the e-mail notification system previously offered by NIST and the International Trade Administration. This new Web-based service offers a fast, comprehensive, global perspective on proposed technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures that might influence U.S. access to export markets. Notify U.S. provides users with access to notifications and full texts of regulations issued by the WTO members. In addition, users can monitor proposed changes across chosen countries and 41 fields of industrial or technical activities, or they can select a subset of fields.

As in Export Alert!, users will receive e-mail messages informing them when proposed regulations are issued by countries or in fields of technical activity they monitor.

The new, free service is operated by NIST’s National Center for Standards and Certification Information (NCSCI). NCSCI is the nation’s designated Inquiry Point under the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade. At the request of Notify U.S. users, the Center will secure the full text of a proposed regulation referenced in a notification. To learn moreand to sign upgo to the Notify U.S. Web site at www.nist.gov/notifyus.

Safety Priority Consultants offers workplace safety & health consulting and training services. Clients include industrial, manufacturing, healthcare, emergency services and general business. Assessments, reports, plans, training, safety management systems, crisis management, emergency response.

United Illuminating is an electric utility company serving 17 towns in south-central Connecticut. As part of its economic development program, UI offers export assistance to its customers via Trade Routes. Trade Routes offers seminars, market information, trade information and assistance, and match-making services to its customers free of charge. In addition, Trade Routes works closely with the Connecticut District Export Council to prepare the International Trade Events Calendar, present the Basics of Exporting seminar series, and to coordinate World Trade Week events.

This searchable web directory contains information about more than 150 firms that have significant presence in Connecticut and Latin America in three sectors: Manufacturing, Financial Services, and
Marketing/Distribution/Research. Hopefully, this directory will help to open the door to fruitful relationships between state and private entities in Connecticut and their counterparts in Latin America.

thinkGlobal ... the source for news and information for importers, exporters and service providers involved in international trade. Now available ... thinkGlobal Massachusetts and thinkGlobal New York. Published by thinkGlobal Incorporatated and sponsored by UPS, these newsletters are printed four times a year and distributed by mail and PDF format online. The thinkGlobal newsletters provide information on companies, international trade executives, upcoming events, online and traditional resources, job openings and international trade success stories.

Connecticut Trade Associations

CBIA is the state's oldest and largest business association representing more than 10,000 Connecticut companies. CBIA's International Trade Council (ITC) is a clearinghouse of information on international trade. Members of CBIA can call to find out sources of financing, where to get detailed marketing plans for specific countries and products, how to take advantage of free consulting on international trade and more. We can put you in touch with the right source and direct you to a specific person in each organization. CBIA has also developed several programs to help your company comply with the ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 series of quality standards. For information and pricing, call Jim Bell at 860/244-1900.

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Connecticut's Business Response Center offers a wealth of information on public and private programs throughout the state, including international finance and export trade services.

CERC is a private-sector, independent organization developed to respond professionally and promptly to the needs of business. They run Access International, a new point-of-entry for businesses in need of information and help with exporting and international trade. One call to a toll-free number will connect you with the state's most comprehensive database of consultants, suppliers, services and support for Connecticut companies conducting international trade. This includes both public and private resources -- state agencies, colleges and universities, independent consultants, and much more.

This is a networking group that meets once a month. They have about 85 corporate and individual members. Annual membership dues are $40 for individual and $75 for a company.

This is a networking group that meets once a month. They have 70-100 business and individual members. Annual membership is $30.

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The CQC offers workshops on Total Quality topics, including the ISO 9000 quality standards and internal auditing.

The International Business Council of the Greater Hartford Chamber of Commerce helps companies expand their international business. It also makes the public and legislators more aware of the role that international trade plays in keeping Connecticut strong economically. The group offers seminars, networking and trade missions.

They hold programs on exporting and have an International Round Table.

The Ireland Chamber of Commerce in the U.S. is a non-profit corporate and professional member organization promoting trade and investment opportunities between the U.S. and Ireland. The Chamber actively supports U.S. exporters seeking to establish a presence in Ireland and facilitates Irish-based companies entering the U.S. market. The Chamber publishes a comprehensive U.S.-Ireland Trade Directory, organizes networking opportunities and executive briefings, and sponsors an annual trade mission to Ireland.

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In addition to publishing the Korea Trade Focus, international trade specialist at KITA's Washington, DC office are available to assist U.S. companies who are interested in doing business with or investing in Korea.

SACIA (Southwestern Area Commerce & Industry Association) is a regional business council formed in 1970 to serve Fairfield County. The association provides a wide range of services including professional development programs and seminars. SACIA works with regional groups and universities to provide programs with an international focus. International resources can be found in the "Resource Center" section of their Web site. SACIA also hosts a representative from the CT Export Assistance Center of the Dept. of Commerce once a month. The representative offers free individual consulting on exporting.

NCAM is a leading source for credit information. Courses in credit management are part of a certification program leading to professional designations. NACM-CT meetings provide for networking and a forum for the discussion of both domestic and international credit matters. They also provide both credit reporting and collection services.

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The Forum is involved in promoting greater public understanding and discussion of the most important international issues of the day. A non-profit, non-partisan organization, the Forum sponsors a series of more than 40 lectures, cultural events and trips. There are morning, noon and evening lectures that take place in hotels, local corporations, colleges and cultural institutions. The program season runs from September through June, with a summer hiatus. The approximately 750 members come from Fairfield and Westchester counties; there are both individual and corporate memberships.

WestConn is a prominent international trade organization, whose membership is made up from all facets of international trade. Along with developing new concepts, procedures and techniques to help perpetuate the expansion of international commerce, the fundamental objective of WestConn is the promotion of educational programs dealing with the pertinent issues of the industry. WestConn maintains regular monthly meetings and conducts other activities, which enables its members to gather, meet one another, and have a healthy exchange of ideas and dialogue.

The Council focuses on social, cultural, political and economic international issues to help businesses and others be effective in the global environment. It runs an executive forum or business series annually, and hosts monthly luncheons on key issues. Annual membership is $35 for an individual, $60 for a non-profit and $350 for the executive forum. There are approximately 700 members.

Connecticut Based Government Agencies and Programs

DECD’s International Division provides information that encourages Connecticut businesses to consider exporting their products and to direct them to those public and private agencies, and individuals who can help them to succeed in the international market. They have launched a major Emerging Market Strategy using in-country trade representatives to promote Connecticut interests in their respective countries. They have representatives in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and South Korea and plans to add representatives in South Africa, India and the ASEAN region soon.

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The Connecticut Israel Exchange Commission (CONNIX) was enacted by Connecticut General Statutes in 1988. The Commission mandate is to promote and develop business, academic, cultural and educational exchange between the state of Connecticut and the state of Israel. Funding became available in mid-1994 through the generous support of some of Connecticut’s Jewish Federations, with the state providing in-kind services.

The U.S. DOC is the leading federal government agency for export promotion assistance to small- and medium-sized firms. The DOC provides a variety of export promotion programs and services, and has offices in 67 U.S. cities and 75 foreign countries. The Export Assistance Center provides one-on-one counseling to firms and provides a variety of Commerce Department export promotion programs, including:
~ Market Research - Over 10,000 international market research reports prepared by commercial specialists overseas are currently available through the National Trade Data Bank (NTDB).
~ Agent/Distributor Service* - Customized searches for qualified foreign distributors or representatives, performed by Commerce's overseas offices.
~ Commercial News USA* - A monthly magazine that promotes U.S. -made products or services, with a circulation of more than 650,000 potential foreign agents, distributors, or customers in 100+ countries.
~ Customized Market Analysis* - A custom-prepared, in-depth marketing report which assesses export potential for a company's product in a specific foreign market.
~ International Company Profile* - Background information on potential foreign distributors or trading partners.
~ Trade Shows, Trade Missions & Catalog Exhibitions* - The Commerce Department conducts or participates in hundreds of overseas trade promotion events annually.

*Note: Fees for programs vary.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent government agency created by Congress to help small businesses grow and prosper. The SBA Hartford District office offers small firms financial assistance through guaranteed loans, management assistance, and counseling services to help small businesses develop international expertise. Two loan programs administered by the agency offer working capital and longer term financing to promote exporting. The SBA has over 100 business booklets that it sells for a small fee (most under $2.00). A free publication directory and order form are available.

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Connecticut Academic Programs and Services

Central Connecticut State University is a metropolitan, comprehensive public university dedicated to learning in the liberal arts and sciences as well as business and the professions. Central enrolls 11,600 undergraduate students and 2,500 graduate students through its School of Business, School of Technology, School of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, School of Graduate Studies and College of Continuing Education. Central has a stated mission to serve this region and Connecticut as an international center of excellence. As a result, the School of Business has developed the following programs: Undergraduate Degree in International Business, International MBA, sponsored programs for international training and education in business, student travel/study opportunities and faculty travel/research exchange programs.

The China Resource Center conducts business management training courses for the Chinese clients of Connecticut companies. These courses are tailored to the needs of the Connecticut company, and are offered in Connecticut or in China. The China Resource Center also offers training to Connecticut managers and executives in cultural sensitivity and negotiation practices. They offer on-site Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese language instruction to managers.

The Center assists companies that are looking to diversify from defense related production through use of international trade. It also helps companies that are looking to enter new markets or begin international trade. The Center produces detailed "product-specific" marketing plans targeted to specific areas of the world, including information about which country may be best suited for a company along with recommendations about feasible entry strategies in that target country.

Programs in Spring and Fall on various international trade, economic and social issues.

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Rensselaer runs short programs on countries and some documentation support programs. The university works closely with the Connecticut Quality Council and the district office of the Department of Commerce to hold programs on international trade issues at the university.

St. Joseph College offers an international studies major which provides an inquiry and issues-based outlook on the global community. Students combine core courses, a language requirement and study abroad, with a concentration in one of three areas: Economy/Polity and Society, Languages and Cultures, or Self-Designed. Saint Joseph College has exchange agreements with schools in the Netherlands, Japan, Australia and England, and has sent students to study in France, Spain, Italy, India and Guatemala.

BEFIT is a division of the Department of Marketing/Law/International Business in the College of Business and Public Management at the University of Bridgeport. Their activities include: organizing international seminars, conferences and both trade and reverse missions. They are developing a network of local firms that are interested in communicating and sharing ideas and prospects with other firms. They also provide a consulting service to firms interested in doing business overseas. In addition, they assist the local government in its plans to internationalize the community and help to identify career opportunities in international trade.

The Center offers a joint degree, MBA/MA in Latin American Studies, as well as a business concentration within the Latin American Studies Masters’ Program. The Business Outreach Office in the Center produces the Directory of Connecticut Firms in the Latin American Market and the Business Lending and Outreach Bulletins, both in cooperation with the Greater Hartford Chamber of Commerce. The Business Outreach Office provides assistance to any businesses interested in entering the Latin American market.

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The mission of the International Business Programs office at the UConn School of Business Administration is to enhance existing outreach, academic and research programs in the global marketplace. This is done through two centers, the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER), funded by the U.S. Department of Education, and the GE Capital Global Leaning Center (GECGLC), funded by an endowment from the GE Capital Corporation.

The University of Hartford offers an undergraduate degree in International Studies in its College of Arts & Sciences. In addition, students in the MBA Program in the Barney School of Business may concentrate in the field of International Business. The University offers courses in seven foreign languages: French, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Japanese and Hebrew. Study abroad programs are available in all academic disciplines in more than 20 foreign countries.

The Management Center assists businesses in international trade development. Utilizing the resources of Teikyo Post University with its worldwide affiliations, the Center offers programs and seminars on a variety of international marketing topics as well as foreign language and culture for businesspeople engaged in global trade.

Trade Associations

ANSI is the coordinator of the U.S. Voluntary Consensus Standards System and the principal U.S. interface with foreign national standards communities. There is one member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for each country; ANSI is the U.S. member. The Institute can provide copies of the ISO 9000 standards and other information about the application of the standards in the U.S. The Institute can also direct you to videos, training programs and publications that will help you understand and/or apply the ISO 9000 standards. ANSI also provides U.S. interface with European standardization bodies (CEN and CENELEC) and is also the U.S. member to the Pan American Standards Commission (COPANT) and the Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC).

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The ASQC is a not-for-profit professional association of more than 100,000 members who are engaged in the management, technical and engineering aspects of quality in industrial and service businesses and in government and academia. Organizations may affiliate with the Society through a sustaining membership. ASQC took a key role in the development of the ISO 9000 standards. Resources available include the latest quality information and publications; national and international conferences and seminars; and certification programs. Membership is open to anyone engaged or interested in quality improvement and entitles you to certain subscriptions and discounts on books and videos, standards, courses and conferences. There are six local groups of ASQC in Connecticut which sponsor meetings and events.

A corporate-sponsored, nationwide fax retrieval system for U.S. business on international trade information. Provides information on approximately 60 countries and more than 50 specific industries. When you call the 800 number, you will receive a four-page export starter kit in only a few minutes through your fax machine. The only charge for this service is the transmission of the information back to your fax machine.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office provides information on investment and business opportunities in Hong Kong. In addition the information unit provides a general news and information service to the public and the media in the eastern half of the US; produces a monthly newsletter and other information materials containing Hong Kong news, events and statistics; and maintains a library.

The IBC of New England is a private sector association dedicated to the expansion of international trade in New England. IBC membership includes manufacturers, professional firms, banks, service organizations, and education institutions. A major emphasis of the IBC's yearly program is the presentation of workshops and seminars on international trade issues. Another service of the IBC is the New England Export School that meets throughout New England to provide company executives with export information. The IBC also has a research library available to the public.

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Established in 1958, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is a nonprofit, Japanese government-supported organization dedicated to promoting mutually beneficial trade and economic relationships between Japan and other nations. Headquartered in Tokyo, it has a network of 33 offices in Japan as well as 79 overseas offices located in 56 countries. Worldwide staff totals 1,300. The major focus of its activities in the U.S. is assisting American companies develop exports to Japan. Promotion of U.S-Japan industrial cooperation, technology exchange and direct investment in Japan are also areas of significant activity.

A resource for companies looking to do business in China's Jiangsu Province or with a company from this region. According to them, Jiangsu Province is already host to 20,000 foreign invested projects worth over $20 billion. Strong investment incentives and a welcoming and open provincial government have made this location an ideal choice for foreign investment.

Helps minority businesses enter the global marketplace.

Each NADA office (there are 163 world-wide) is affiliated with a U.S. state and designed to help businesses from that state with contacts and trade show information - free of charge. When you call you are referred to your state's Department of Economic Development office.

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