Governor's Trade Mission to France Expanded Economy Overseas
Governor's Trade Mission to France Expanded Economy Overseas
Local businesses cultivated relationships in France
Governor John Baldacci today welcomed to the Blaine House the business participants of the Governor's Trade Mission to France. The trade mission, conducted in October, enabled many new Maine companies to gain access to French markets.
The export of Maine products to France is expected to increase this year, as participating companies estimate more than $5 million in first year sales as a result of a recent trade mission. Governor John Baldacci lauded the success of the trade mission and said Maine businesses are ready to compete on a global level.
"The value of Maine's products and businesses in the international market is evident in the increase of exports and in the reception we received from the French community," said Governor Baldacci. "We will continue to strengthen our relationship with France through the growing number of Maine businesses participating in the global economy."
In the last four years, gubernatorial trade missions yielded more than $17 million in projected international sales for Maine businesses. Last year, Maine exports to France totaled $18.5 million in 2004, an increase of 57 percent from 2003. France is the U.S.'s 10th largest export partner, with exports to France reaching $21.2 billion in 2004.
The Maine International Trade Center (MITC) organized the seven-day trade mission. More than 30 participants from 18 industries met with French officials and business representatives during 62 scheduled one-on-one meetings. MITC, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Foreign Commercial Service, the American Association of the Forum Francophone des Affaires and Foodexport USA scheduled the meetings. Governor Baldacci served as a liaison between Maine companies and their French counterparts to promote international trade and investment. Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Jack Cashman also attended the trade mission to strengthen trade relations between Maine and France.
Evan Spoerl participated in the trade mission for the second consecutive year on behalf of his company, WahlcoMetroflex, a Lewiston-based manufacturer of engineered products used in gas flow control and isolation. He said the meetings he had with potential sales representatives and clients were beneficial, and estimated the potential revenue from the visit to be up to $275,000.
"The combination of MITC and the U.S. Commerce and their resources are very effective," said Spoerl, national sales manager for WahlcoMetroflex. "It was much more successful to meet with French representatives through the trade mission, rather than trying to do everything yourself from your office, or going to France on your own and trying to schedule appointments."
MITC reported that this year's trade mission was one of the most successful to date. The delegation included representatives from Maine's boat building, wood products, metal products, food, and tourism industries.
"These trade missions are crucial to establishing and maintaining global business relationships on a personal level," Governor Baldacci said. "They provide opportunities for Maine businesses to interface with overseas businesses and they encourage industries to think and expand beyond national borders."
The trade mission also focused on promoting Maine's boat building industry. Bruce Schwab, the first American to finish the Vendée Globe around-the-world sailing race, accompanied Governor Baldacci on the trade mission and met with French representatives on behalf of Maine boat builders. Tim Hodgdon, president of Hodgdon Yachts in East Boothbay, participated in meetings with yacht brokers, designers and engineers, and the Department of Economic and Community Development provided a Maine Built Boats booth for receptions and public viewing.
"It was great to see the enthusiasm the French community had for what Maine is doing in the business and government sectors," said Schwab. "It was a great mix of people and businesses and the interest on both sides was evident."
Small businesses and organizations attending the trade mission received scholarship assistance from both the Forum Francophone des Affaires and the Maine Manufacturing Extension Program.
Formed in 1996 as a public/private partnership, MITC provides technical assistance and trade counseling, import and export leads, international credit reports, workshops, coordinated trade missions and trade shows, and many other useful services to help Maine companies seeking to succeed in international markets. MITC is partly funded by private businesses and organizations. For more information, visit www.mitc.com.
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