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Minnesota Trade Office Increases Foreign Representation to Promote Trade

New partnership brings seven new global offices for Minnesota businesses to utilize

ST PAUL – The Minnesota Trade Office, part of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), today announced a new partnership with the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers (GSGP) that will provide Minnesota businesses with access to seven new international representative locations.

The newly retained GSGP offices have been contracted on an as-needed basis to respond to export promotion-related projects requested by Minnesota companies. These offices are available to assist Minnesota companies with market-entry analysis, partner searches, client or distributor due diligence, and trade show or in-market support, among other activities. This brings to 13 the total number of regional offices providing export promotion and assistance to Minnesota companies selling goods and services globally.

During this unprecedented time, when international business travel remains difficult due to the pandemic, the Minnesota Trade Office seeks to provide specialized assistance to Minnesota exporters in expanded markets through our newly retained GSGP office. These new resources for Minnesota businesses have been put in place to support economic recovery in Minnesota through growing our exports.

Minnesota Trade Office’s six established offices are located in: Canada, Japan, European Union, United Kingdom, ASEAN and China.

The additional representative offices are located in:

• Africa (Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Reunion, Rwanda, St. Helena, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe)

• The Arab Gulf (Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates)

• Australia/New Zealand

• Brazil

• Mexico

• South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay)

• South Korea

Minnesota Statute 116J.966, Subd. 1, paragraph 11 states that the Commissioner of DEED may enter into contracts to establish and maintain offices, and other types of representation in foreign countries, to carry out the purpose of promoting international trade and attracting investment from foreign countries to Minnesota.

“As we begin Minnesota’s economic recovery from the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, international markets are essential to Minnesota’s growth,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “These regional offices will help to ensure Minnesota businesses have opportunities to grow into new markets from right here in Minnesota.”

“The Minnesota Trade Office’s foreign office portfolio was created with the idea of providing boots-on-the-ground support in international markets for Minnesota exporters. This support is especially valuable during a time when travel is difficult and growing exports is key to economic recovery,” said Gabrielle Gerbaud, Executive Director of the Minnesota Trade Office. “These foreign offices are available to assist Minnesota companies remotely by providing much needed international market intelligence and support.”

The 13 international representatives are comprised of either private contractors or consulting firms with knowledge in international trade and foreign direct investment. In 2019, Minnesota exported $22 billion of goods to 207 different countries.

For more information, contact the Minnesota Trade Office.

DEED is the state's principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and its services, visit the DEED website or follow us on Twitter.

 

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