As our national economy continues to fluctuate and the impact is felt locally, companies in the CSRA can turn to the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism (GDITT) to find alternate means of revenue and growth, specifically through international trade. Despite the economic challenges of last year, GDITT was able to broker 188 international business deals for Georgia companies. Exporting generates an impressive 200,000+ jobs in the state and last year alone accounted for $14.6 billion in company sales.

Georgia exports everything from technology to paper and poultry, moving through two modern deepwater ports right here in the state. In fact, Georgia houses the largest foreign commerce port on the South Atlantic coast, and now is the time more than ever before for companies in the state to take advantage of their proximity to these resources and get started in exporting.

The GDITT's International Trade Division can help Georgia companies to identify and develop international markets for their goods and services. The trained staff at the GDITT recognizes that international commerce often requires special skills beyond those needed to conduct business within the United States. It involves new approaches to business research, manufacturing, marketing, finance and logistics. Georgia is ideally positioned for international trade and is capitalizing on this unique advantage by partnering with the United States Export Assistance Center (USEAC), which has two regional offices in the state. USEAC is a unique partnership of federal and state organizations that offers a broad range of professional export assistance resources, most of which are provided free-of-charge or at minimal cost. Services include extensive market research, international marketing events and collateral resources, financial assistance, training and counseling.

The GDITT also provides a team of experienced business professionals located in key markets around the world. These trade representatives assist Georgia companies with market assessments and entry strategies, locating and pre-qualifying appropriate partners and customers, providing advice on current issues and local business practices and arranging appointments for overseas visits. The GDITT currently has representation in several regions around the world: Europe (based in Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom), Brazil, Canada, the Eastern Mediterranean Region (based in Israel, but also covering Jordan and Turkey), Japan, Korea, Mexico and South Africa. In 2001, Georgia exports to these markets totaled $11.1 billion or 76 percent of all of Georgia's exports.

Effective marketing is the key to profitable business anywhere in the world. The GDITT has the experts to develop the kind of customized marketing solutions needed special challenges sometimes presented by foreign markets. Each year, GDITT representatives help several hundred companies develop business in their markets. They can suggest business strategies that will work in their region, identify key business contacts, arrange meetings, and assist with communications, logistics, and follow-up.

Once your company is armed with the expertise to pursue international business, GDITT can take you one step further and help finance your operations. Many companies are interested in international business deals, but because of a lack of funds or confidence in taking financial risks, they pass up the opportunities that lie beyond the borders. GDITT and its USEAC partners offer a number of trade finance and insurance programs that can help.

To further your marketing skills, the GDITT encourages companies to attend one of almost a dozen international trade shows and trade missions that GDITT annually sponsors. Georgia exhibitors can often rent space at negotiated discounts, and the state frequently sponsors matchmaker services and logistical support. Start taking advantage of your state resources today by attending USEAC's award-winning seminar "Export GA," which GDITT supports, consisting of nine monthly sessions. For more information, contact GDITT's International Trade Division at 404-656-3571. You can also e-mail GDITT at trade@georgia.org or visit their web site at www.georgia.org to find out more about Georgia's export assistance services.