Archive for the ‘General’ Category

TradeFlow21 is pleased to announce that Tag Mendillo, an accomplished movie producer and screenwriter, has joined our team as a Senior Media Advisor. The partners of TradeFlow21 look forward to working with Tag in developing media-based marketing solutions for companies seeking market entry or expansion in the Middle East and North Africa. Tag’s longstanding commitment to creating a more sustainable, green-friendly planet is also the reason he now serves as an independent energy consultant assisting Connecticut companies in reducing costs in a deregulated energy market. For more information on the newest member of the TradeFlow21 team, continue reading below and also see our August edition (forthcoming) of Trade and Transactions. For a free subscription, see our contact information on the About Us page. Read the rest of this entry »

Earlier this week, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner traveled to Saudi Arabia to “reassure Gulf nations on their holdings of Treasury bills.” In an ‘Alice-in-Wonderland’ moment of reversed roles and expectations, Mr. Geithner said the U.S. will defend the dollar and, by extension, the integrity of investors who are helping underwrite U.S. debt, which now totals a whopping $11 trillion. His stop in Jeddah underscores the ever-expanding influence of the greater Middle East market as both a U.S. creditor and consumer of goods and services. Mr. Geithner reaffirmed America’s commitment in “keeping its economy open to foreign investment” while expanding international trade in the region. Clearly, this is encouraging news for Connecticut companies seeking entry into the greater Middle East market of over 500 million consumers. (See full article in Financial Times)

Ambassador Shaun Donnelly, who currently serves as Sr. Director of International Business Policy at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), told TradeFlow21 – Middle East Trade Summit participants (April 24) that he acknowledges there are challenges for businesses amidst the current economic backdrop, but he said he believes there are “even more opportunities.” Heed the Ambassador’s word since NAM’s membership exceeds 13,000. Furthermore, he stated, “It’s hard to have a strategy if you don’t have an export strategy,” citing the fact that approximately 95% of the world’s consumers reside outside the U.S. TradeFlow21 is cognizant of this, and thus is presently focused exclusively on the Middle East given the region’s many attractive growth characteristics, in addition to the prospect of realizing security through commercial prosperity. So without further ado, let’s review the “12 Rules for Exporting to the Middle East.” Read the rest of this entry »

In a commentary posted on the TradeFlow21 website in advance of President Obama’s speech, we wrote that necessity:

1)      demands the cessation of hostilities between Israel and its neighbors, including the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state as the only viable means of resolving the Palestinian question

2)      requires a U.S. policy that summarily rejects those in all quarters who use division and discord as a means of maintaining their “competitive advantage” in the region

3)      dictates that economic development, through investment and trade, be embraced as the preferred path to establishing a more stable, secure world for all

In his long-awaited speech on American-Muslim relations today in Cairo, President Obama responded, arguing that

1)      “America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity and a state of their own”

2)      “as long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace…conflict rather than cooperation…this cycle of suspicion and discord must end”

3)      “on economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries…I will host a summit on entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world”

Thank you, Mr. President.  The partners of TradeFlow21 will join you in the cause to build a prosperous, secure Middle East through commerce and trade.  Let us now begin our work.

When President Barack Obama delivers his address tomorrow in Cairo to the wider Muslim world, he will do so at great political risk to himself and his administration.  But it is a risk that demonstrates the political courage of a first-term president who acts out of necessity, and not expediency.

Necessity demands the cessation of hostilities between Israel and its neighbors, including the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state as the only viable means of resolving the Palestinian question.

Necessity now requires a U.S. policy that summarily rejects those in all quarters who use division and discord as a means of maintaining their “competitive advantage” in the region.

Necessity dictates that economic development, through investment and trade, be embraced as the preferred path to establishing a more stable, secure world for all.

For over 60 years, the Middle East, which is comprised of over 20 nations spanning Northern Africa in the west to Southern Asia in the east, has been defined by conflict and oil. This is a new era. Real GDP non-oil growth in the region, which is projected to expand by more than 3.5 percent this year, suggests that Middle Eastern nations are actively pursuing commercial diversification as they seek to become full partners and competitors in the global economy. It also presents tremendous export opportunities for companies who want access to an emerging market of 500 million consumers.

The world is waiting for President Obama to signal a new turn in U.S. – Middle East relations where strategic alliances are built principally on commerce and trade. The partners of TradeFlow21 welcome such a change as both vital and necessary.

[Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele delivers opening remarks to summit
participants at the Graduate Club in New Haven on April 24th. Former United States
Ambassador, Shaun Donnelly, is seated at left.]

On April 24, Connecticut business and industry leaders gathered in New Haven to hear former United States Ambassador and trade negotiator, Shaun Donnelly, reveal his 12-step program for successfully exporting to lucrative Middle East markets. (Ambassador Donnelly currently serves as Senior Director of International Business Policy at the National Association of Manufacturers in Washington, D.C.)

Spanning northern Africa in the west to southern Asia in the east, the greater Middle East represents a tremendous opportunity for Connecticut companies seeking access to a dynamic and emerging market of over 500 million consumers.

The Honorable Michael Fedele, Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut, opened the summit citing the state’s strong position as a leading exporter in key sectors such as transportation and machinery. The challenge, according to the Lieutenant Governor, is for Connecticut to continue expanding its export base, which grew by 11 percent last year.

Mr. Peter Gioia, vice president and economist at the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA), also released his 2009 Connecticut International Trade Survey at the summit.

In addition to providing value-added analysis and commentary on the Middle East market, TradeFlow21 is excited to announce the launch this June of Trade & Transactions—a monthly e-letter for business insiders and leaders who recognize that when exports rise, we all win.

See news coverage of the summit by the Hartford Courant.

The Connecticut Secretary of the State’s office published first-quarter 2009 business filing data (business closings and start-ups) on Monday. The headline of the press release was “1st quarter of 2009 saw another record number of Connecticut businesses shut down.” Company shut downs totaled 3,477, with the pace picking up month-over-month into March (the figure was up 16% year-over-year). On the flip side, new start-ups totaled 6,941 (also increasing m-o-m into March), which is nearly double the number of companies that closed, but is still down 13% y-o-y and the lowest tally since 2001. At TradeFlow21, we unmistakably recognize the harsh economic climate. However, at the same time, we are very cognizant of the importance of entrepreneurial spirit (6,941 new businesses in Q1) and of the key role of small businesses: per the CT SOS press release, “Small businesses have created over 90% of all new jobs in Connecticut in the last 10 years and they are the backbone of our economy.”)

This Friday, TradeFlow21 is honored to host its first annual trade summit: Export Connecticut! Middle East Trade Summit. Thus far, approximately 40 Connecticut companies from a variety of industries have registered. We anticipate a lively and informative event: opening remarks by Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele, a keynote address by former U.S. Ambassador Shaun Donnelly (Sr. Director, National Assoc. of Manufacturers), the release of the state’s 2008 International Trade Survey by Peter Gioia, V.P. and Economist at CBIA, and a blue-ribbon round table panel discussion. We look forward to seeing your there. — TradeFlow21: Commerce | Prosperity | Security

Jordan has hosted five world sports events in the last four years and wants to build on their growing popularity as a host of international competition, the AFP reports. The upshot for the Middle East nation is a good chance of attracting lucrative tourism revenues during the global downturn and beyond. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase Jordan not only in terms of what we can do in providing a venue for world-class events but also for athletes, officials and fans to see the history and culture of our country,” said Prince Feisal. Jordan, he added, had been lucky in being able to host world triathlon, fencing and snooker events as well as a stage of the World Rally Championship over the last four years. This Saturday, Jordan will host the World Cross-Country Championships.

Middle East marketeers, regional representatives, Connecticut State Government officials, industry experts, and selected guests will soon be arriving in New Haven, Conn. for the first annual TradeFlow21 Middle East Trade Summit.  If you or a representative of your organization has not received an invitation and you wish to attend, please contact us as soon as possible – final arrangements are being made. Following this year’s event, TradeFlow21 expects to grow the summit out to the entire New England area, and then to the Eastern Seaboard. Cheers — the TradeFlow21 Partners

The start of the new year has seen yet another round of conflict between Israel and one of its neighbors.  This time, it is Gaza–a Palestinian state in waiting–that finds itself in a state of siege.  Siege, and the need to defend against attacks by Hamas militia who indiscriminately fire rockets into civilian enclaves, is also Israel’s reason for this latest military action.  Once more, both sides will seek legitimacy for their cause in chambers and legislative bodies across the globe.  And once more, popular opinion will uncritically affirm a distorted and tired cold-war view of the Middle East as seen through the lens of the ‘Arab-Israeli conflict.’

But this is a new age where human intellect and industry are changing the landscape in terms both political and social.  Among the 20-plus countries that comprise the Middle East, most have already embraced global commerce as a primary means of engagement with the world community.  The recent economic boom among the Gulf nations in particular has also ushered in an era of commercial cooperation with Western partners, creating a more interdependent, integrated world.  It has also fostered a deeper understanding and respect for the region as the cradle of civilization for writing, philosophy, science, art, and faith.  In spite of current economic circumstances, TradeFlow21 will work tirelessly to promote investment and trade as the primary tools of engagement.  Let commerce do what conflict cannot do; create an environment where sovereign states, democratic or theocratic, and their people live in relative peace, prosperity, and security.  The killing must stop.  Peace must prevail, because humanity now demands it.