Susan Crawford is part of the U.S. Commercial Service’s Integrated Strategic Communications Team focused on showcasing America’s Export Experts and bringing to light useful and publicly available export insights.
When doing business globally, it’s all about who you know:
- Who can help determine the most promising markets for your product or service?
- Who can introduce you to potential foreign buyers or distributors?
- Who can answer a myriad of export-related questions ranging from financing options to shipping documentation?
If you were one of the more than 330 U.S. exporters from 36 states who attended the U.S. Commercial Service’s Discover Global Markets: Indo-Pacific business forum in Salt Lake City, Utah, you likely walked away with valuable connections to help you expand your exports into Indo-Pacific markets.
The U.S. Commercial Service, the export promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, recently hosted its 18th Discover Global Markets business forum to provide U.S. firms with access to the expert resources needed to identify and capitalize on growth opportunities in aerospace, defense and security sectors in the Indo-Pacific region.
Under Secretary Gil Kaplan speaks to participants at the Discover Global Markets Forum
Indo-Pacific Market Opportunities
“There is great potential for U.S. companies to expand their presence in the Indo-Pacific and find ways to contribute their expertise, technical know-how and innovative technologies to help this region achieve its ambitious economic development goals,” Under Secretary of Commerce Gilbert Kaplan said in keynote remarks at the Discover Global Markets forum.
Markets in the Indo-Pacific region can present many exciting, new opportunities for U.S. firms. In 2017, the Indo-Pacific represented 33 percent of world GDP and the U.S. conducted more than $1.8 trillion in two-way trade with the region. The U.S. has an unmatched network in the region, as five of the United States’ seven treaty alliances are located there: Australia, Japan, Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Thailand, making it a potentially lucrative market for U.S. goods and services.
“Our U.S. commercial diplomats and U.S. Commercial Service international trade specialists are here to provide market intelligence on opportunities for your company; by introducing you to potential business partners and helping you develop strategies to conquer your next export market,” Kaplan said.
Making Valuable Global Connections
In fact, U.S. commercial diplomats based in 14 Indo-Pacific countries, including Australia, Burma, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam participated in the event. The diplomats, together with our U.S.-based international trade specialists, shared their local business advice and industry expertise in one-on-one counseling sessions with American companies.
Commercial Service International Trade Specialist meet with U.S. companies
Ron Gividen, of Selex Galileo, Inc., participated in the event and said, “It was timely to meet and receive ‘in-country’ connected key influencer help across all of Indo-Asia in a single location, and in literally just 2 ½ days of in-person, direct interviews. The knowledge of each key person representing their respective country helped to make our time so much more valuable. All combined to help create definite connected ‘next steps’ for increasing future opportunities.”
U.S. exporters also had the chance to meet with 22 foreign buyers from 7 countries who attended the conference to source American-made products and services including aircraft components, airport terminal equipment, advanced materials, border security equipment and cybersecurity solutions.
Additionally, the U.S. Commercial Service connected representatives from Boeing, GE Additive and Textron Systems with U.S. SMEs at the event who could support the OEMs’ global supply chains and major projects in the Indo-Pacific region.
During the 2 ½ day conference, attendees heard from more than 30 speakers including executives from The Boeing Company, FedEx Express, GE Additive, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Moog Inc. Aircraft Group, and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. There were also numerous opportunities for attendees to network with speakers, our commercial diplomats and international trade specialists, and fellow exporters.
Recognizing Successful U.S. Exporters
At a forum designed to provide companies with tools to expand exports, recognizing firms that are committed to exporting and have succeeded in growing their exports was a fitting addition. U.S. Commercial Service National Director of U.S. Operations Thomas McGinty presented an Export Achievement Certificate to the following two firms for significant and sustained export sales:
- Palo Alto, California-based Space Systems Loral, a Maxar Technologies company, and provider of satellites and spacecraft systems; and
- Boise, Idaho-based Black Sage Technologies, a counter-unmanned aircraft systems integrator.
McGinty also recognized the World Trade Center Utah for encouraging and supporting local exporters.
Next Steps
If you are interested in exploring opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region, I encourage you to consider joining us for Trade Winds 2019 which will take place on May 6-13, 2019 in New Delhi, India, with additional stops in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Trade Winds is the U.S. Department of Commerce’s largest trade mission of the year. Visit the Trade Winds website for more information.
For additional information about the Indo-Pacific and other markets, check out our series of Country Commercial Guides.
