Trade Mission Connects Utah Companies to Middle Eastern Markets
Salt Lake City – Gov. Gary R. Herbert is leading a delegation of 19 Utah companies on a trade mission to Amman, Jordan and a trade mission to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Israel this week. Jordan and Israel are gateway countries for businesses interested in expanding into Middle Eastern markets.
“Both Jordan and Israel have strong science and technology sectors that align well with the innovative technologies coming out of Utah,” said Derek B. Miller, president and CEO of World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah). “The focus of the trade mission to Amman, Jordan and the trade mission to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Israel is to help businesses make meaningful connections that will lead to new customers and opportunities for collaboration in the Middle East.”
The trade missions, spanning Oct. 20-27, include business visits, matchmaking meetings networking receptions, Foreign Direct Investment events and a visit to the Port of Ashod. During the port visit the delegation will explore the benefits of the port to Israel’s economy and learn about a Utah company doing business with the port.
“Jordan and Israel are longtime trade partners, especially with the state’s technology and life science industries,” said Val Hale, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED). “This trade mission will strengthen those relationships and create new opportunities for Utah companies to expand globally.”
Jordan was selected as a location for a trade mission because of its strategic location as the crossroads of the Middle East-North Africa region. Utah’s top exports to Jordan in 2016 included fabricated metal products, computer and electronic products and chemicals. The U.S. has a Free Trade Agreement with Jordan that has lowered the barriers to entry for Utah companies.
Israel is also an important trading partner for Utah. Since signing a Free Trade Agreement in 1985, U.S.-Israel trade has grown eight-fold and nearly all trade tariffs have been removed. Israel is a global center for hi-tech design and research and development, which could mean opportunities for collaboration between Israeli companies and Utah’s own Silicon Slopes companies. Some of Utah’s top exports to Israel include computer and electronic products, machinery and transportation equipment.
The trade missions, supported by WTC Utah, GOED, Zions Bank, U.S. Commercial Service and the U.S. Small Business Administration, are comprised of private and public organizations from various sectors.
Businesses participating in the trade mission to Amman, Jordan and the trade mission to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Israel:
40 North Labs/Specialty Imaging
Alex.Brown
Allen Communications
BiologiQ, Inc.
BNA Consulting
Campbell Scientific
CogniTech Corporation
Deseret Management Corporation
Design Criteria, Inc.
GlobalSim, Inc.
Intermountain Healthcare
inWhatLanguage
Law Offices of Thomas N. Jacobson
Quest Solutions & Teamtonics Inc.
Red Leaf Resources
University of Utah, School of Business
USTAR
Utah Economic Israel Council
Zions Bank
About World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah)
The mission of World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah) is to help Utah companies think, act and succeed globally. WTC Utah accomplishes this mission through three key objectives. First is to motivate and educate Utah businesses to expand their global presence through training seminars, regional forums and newsletters focused on international business development, trade issues and export opportunities. Second is to build capacity of Utah businesses for international trade through B2B consultations to identify expansion goals, assess current capabilities, determine overseas opportunities and connect companies with market experts and potential partners. Third is to expand global network of Utah businesses through trade missions and networking with foreign trade officials.
About the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED)
business.utah.gov
The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) charter is based on Gov. Gary R. Herbert’s commitment to statewide economic development. The state’s economic vision is that Utah will lead the nation as the best performing economy and be recognized as a premier global business environment and tourist destination. GOED provides extensive resources and support for business creation, growth and recruitment statewide, as well as programs to increase tourism and film production for the benefit of Utah residents. All administered programs are based upon strategic industry clusters to develop a diverse, sustainable economy. GOED accomplishes its mission through unprecedented partnerships. For more information please contact: Aimee Edwards, (801) 538-8811 or edwards@utah.gov.
