KC Chamber Promotes Global Trade The Chamber's World Trade Center is just one of many resources available to help small businesses tap international markets.
By Mary K. Pyle
The desire for U. S. products and services reaches around the globe. With 96 percent of the world's customers living outside the United States, Americans and U.S. businesses benefit from the movement of goods and services across international borders. The most successful companies are those that look for strategies to expand and compete in global markets.
Since 1990, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce World Trade Center has been a member of the World Trade Center Association, a not-for-profit, non-political association that represents 281 trade centers in 80 countries around the globe.
The KC Chamber World Trade Center is committed to:
Focusing on trade education of the Kansas City community
Building global business leadership
Promoting global business opportunities to our membership, and to the small and medium-sized business located in our region
State Impact Missouri exports $10.5 billion in manufactured goods to the world, generating 87,700 jobs. Nearly 4,750 businesses in Missouri sell their products overseas. Of those 4,750 Missouri businesses, 82 percent are small and medium-sized companies. There are 84,200 Missourians employed by foreign companies.
Kansas exports $6.7 billion in manufactured goods to the world, generating 68,400 jobs. Nearly 2,300 businesses in Kansas sell their products overseas. Of those Kansas businesses, 81 percent are small and medium-sized companies. There are 32,200 Kansans employed by foreign companies.
Federal Visit The World Trade Center led a group of 19 executives and academic representatives to Washington, D.C., this past February to meet with federal government and private agencies that educate and lobby for trade policy and facilitate the international movement of goods and services. This trip provided a three-day intensive immersion with agencies that are key resources for companies doing business internationally. Government relations lobbyists shared examples of how Kansas City companies utilize the federal process to educate and lobby for key issues important to their business operations.
Attending the D.C. trip were:
Executives involved in global strategic planning, marketing and foreign policy advocacy
Professors of international studies, global economies, business and marketing disciplines
Entrepreneurs considering exporting products or services to global markets
Government and community leaders seeking relevant information from business and government leaders
The World Trade Center of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce will lead a Partnership Mission to India Oct. 23-Nov. 4. Cities include New Delhi, Mumbai and Pune.
National Resources The Kansas City contingent visited with the organizations below, which serve as vital resources to small and medium-sized businesses as they explore opportunities to sell and meet the needs of global consumers.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce - The world's largest business federation representing more than three mission businesses, 2,800 state and local chambers of commerce and 850 business associates (www.uschamber.com).
U. S. Chamber Traderoots - The nation's only sustained grassroots trade education program assisting small and medium-sized companies to grow internationally (www.traderoots.org).
World Bank - A government agency supporting U. S. projects/programs abroad (www.worldbank.org).
Export Import Bank - Offers loan programs to businesses (www.exim.gov).
Export.gov - The federal government's export portal, assisting businesses and providing answers to export questions (www.export.gov).
International Trade Administration - Assists in trade information, research and trade leads (www.itc.dc.com).
U. S. AID - Provides economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries to provide a better future for all (www.usaid.gov).
U. S. India Business Alliance - An independent business alliance providing extensive political, business and legal networks between the U. S. and India (www.usiba.org).
Local Resources There are a number of local resources to help Kansas City area small businesses explore possibilities and achieve success in international markets.
Kansas City Chamber of Commerce World Trade Center -Provides information, education programs and resources important to international business (www.kctrade.com).
Missouri Office of International Trade & Investment - Helps companies expand and grow, with the ultimate goal of sustaining and increasing Missouri jobs through international trade and investment (www.missouridevelopment.org).
Kansas Department of Commerce Trade Development - Serves Kansas companies interested in international trade (www.kansascommerce.com).
U. S. Export Assistance Center - The local office in Kansas City assists Missouri and Kansas companies interested in exporting (www.export.gov).
Mary K. Pyle is managing director of the Greater Kansas City World Trade Center. You can reach her at (816) 374-5483 or
