Planting the Seeds for International Trade
When Maher Mahmoud established his business as USA export manager for Sunrise SRL of Italy, he recognized the enormous potential in his business of growing and exporting vegetable seeds around the world. Eight years later, Mahmoud knows that with some expert assistance his business has the opportunity to expand to even more global markets.
Sunrise SRL works with farmers in several countries to grow vegetable seeds including cucumber, squash, tomato and watermelon. The seeds are then brought to Sunrise facilities in Okemos to be treated, packaged and eventually exported to several countries including Syria, Jordan, Israel, Algeria and Northern Africa.
One frustration for Mahmoud is figuring out all the required paperwork and regulations of all the different countries with which he does business.
"The U.S. is the simplest place on earth to do paperwork," said Mahmoud. "Not so with the rest of the world."
Help in cutting through all that red tape is on the way.
The tri-county region has taken a significant step forward in helping area businesses like Sunrise SRL that want to enter or expand international markets. Eleven regional partners including the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) recently announced the establishment of an International Trade Center (ITC) which will be housed in the LRCC offices in downtown Lansing. The announcement of the ITC was made at a news conference which was led by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow.
"As a member of the President's Export Council, I am looking forward to the establishment of an International Trade Center in Mid-Michigan, which will foster relationships between Mid-Michigan businesses and international companies," said Sen. Stabenow. "The establishment of this center will help businesses in this region have a greater presence in global markets and increase exports of Michigan and U.S. products and services."
"The ITC will play a significant role in assisting Michigan entrepreneurs in accessing and utilizing the wide variety of international related resources in mid-Michigan and elsewhere in the state," said Thomas McGuire, Director of the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Office in Lansing and Grand Rapids, which is part of the International Trade Administration of U.S. Department of Commerce. "This is a significant step forward for this region in its efforts to become more competitive in international markets."
The ITC will be the single point of contact for information related to international business, leveraging the existing resources and partnerships in the Greater Lansing region and beyond. The ITC will provide regional businesses with a complete range of services to support the process of international trade from contact to contract. In addition to helping businesses already involved in exporting improve and expand their arrangements, ITC will provide research support for new markets and products and referral assistance for export related activities, licensing, certification, legal and financial consultation, logistics and customs issues.
"Entering international markets can be an intimidating venture and business people need expert counsel and support to guide them through the process," said Tomas Hult, Director of the International Business Center at Michigan State University. "The International Trade Center will offer a vast pool of international commerce related resources that will prove to be a real asset to businesses entering or expanding their international trade presence."
The establishment of the ITC has come as a result of a year of effort by the eleven founding partners led by LRCC. The collaboration of the founding partners has led to pooling of all the global resources in the community into a "one-stop shopping" program for international trade through the ITC.
"The opening of the International Trade Center lets the
world know that mid-Michigan is committed to being a significant player in the global marketplace," said Brent Case, LRCC Director of Foreign Trade Zone/International Market Development. "The ITC represents another major development in this region's international strategy."
The ITC is certain to help attract and retain business growing in international markets. Sunrise SRL is a prime example. Mahmoud is a graduate of Western Michigan University and is raising a family in East Lansing. He prefers to keep his business in this area. But, southern states offer attractive support services and lower costs. The addition of ITC could help Sunrise grow its bottom line by streamlining the export process.
"The easier the documentation and paperwork, the more time we have to focus on expanding into other markets," said Mahmoud.
Businesses interested in more information about ITC and opportunities in international markets should contact Brent Case at 517.853.6464 or visit www.lansingchamber.org.