INTERNATIONAL DELEGATIONS VISITING WESTERN MASS

From the EDC (Aug 17 2011)

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   The EDC has pursued an international business development strategy for the past few years. We recognized that as business was becoming increasingly global, we needed to position the region to take advantage of opportunities. Our initial goal was to increase the flow of Foreign Direct Investment (“FDI”) into the region. This remains a goal, but it has been joined by finding opportunities for companies from our region in the global marketplace.  

   One of our tactics has been to work with economic development and trade and investment agencies from different countries around the (primarily developed) world to assess opportunities for trade, investment, partnering, distribution and research collaborations between our regions. We particularly focus on secondary regions that have industry profiles similar to ours. Many agencies regularly send delegations to the U.S. and to Massachusetts in particular, sometimes including economic development officials only and sometimes including companies from a region and/or industry cluster. We work to get the groups to come to western Mass for at least a day of their stay, so they become aware of opportunities outside of Boston and Cambridge. 

   Our imitative is bearing fruit over the next few months as we will host a delegation from the East Netherlands next week, from the Seine-Marne region of France (east of Paris) in October and from Saxony in Germany in November. Many of our companies and academic institutions help us in hosting these groups and we appreciate their cooperation and support. Please contact Michael Graney, m.graney@westernmassedc.com or 413-755-1300, if you are interested in talking to any of these regional representatives in particular or if you would like to discuss international trade or investment opportunities in general.  

    

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