Pennsylvania companies that want to do business overseas have a partner in state government — and the chance to open a relatively cheap office in Shanghai.
The Center for Trade Development’s Envoy program, which has been around since 2007, works with companies to find the right overseas markets in which to do business and provides help as they establish a presence in those countries.
The Envoy program has representatives in a dozen countries, including Mexico, India, France and South Africa. But it’s by far the most active in Shanghai, where a Pennsylvania-sponsored office has so far provided space for about 20 Keystone State businesses. Companies can send employees to work in the office or ask the state to hire a Chinese worker to establish a presence in the country.
“They’re your employee,” explains Pete O’Neill, executive director of PA’s Center for Trade Development. “We’re just housing them.” He says Envoy is best for Pennsylvania companies that are already doing some business overseas and are looking to expand.
The use of a Shanghai office and a Chinese representative can cost a Pennsylvania business as little as $10,000 a year. So far companies like specialty alloy firm Carpenter Technology and assembly-tool maker Titan Tool Company have taken advantage of Envoy’s Chinese presence.
And the program was recently recognized by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, which gave Envoy its award for Innovation in Global Export Promotion.
O’Neill’s office plans to use its success in China to expand the Envoy program in other countries. He also sees the potential for Pennsylvania colleges to use it as a way to employ full-time recruiters to bring foreign students to their campuses.
Source: Pete O’Neill, Center for Trade Development
Writer: Rebecca VanderMeulen