Luncheon highlights export possibilities

Griffin, director of sales and marketing for American Dehydrated Foods Inc., also met one-on-one with Nelson to develop contacts and exporting strategies for the feed manufacturer, which has been trading in Mexico for more than five years. Nelson is director of the Missouri Trade and Investment Office in Mexico.

The luncheon and meetings – sponsored by Greater Ozarks International Trade Association, Southwest Area Manufacturers Association and Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce – were part of an increased effort by the Missouri Department of Economic Development to spread the word about the international trade assistance it offers. It ultimately wants to increase Missouri exports to foreign countries.

“As we become more of a global society, it’s imperative that we all understand where the trade opportunities are,” said Bill Owen, GOITA president. “There’s nothing that’s going to turn a company off on foreign trade like getting burned. Education’s a very critical component.”

The state began helping private businesses tap foreign markets in 1979 with an office in Germany. Missouri now has offices in England, Mexico, Japan and China.

Nelson’s office in Monterrey, Mexico, helped facilitate $1.15 billion in exports to Mexico from Missouri in 2005, a 22 percent jump from a year earlier.

Mexico is Missouri’s No. 2 trading partner behind Canada, which bought $4.2 billion of Missouri goods in 2005.

See SBJ’s May 15 issue for more on trade opportunities in Mexico.