RICHMOND - A delegation of Polish business leaders will visit Virginia to explore trade opportunities with many of the Commonwealth’s information and environmental technology companies. Hosted by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s (VEDP) Division of International Trade and assisted by the Commercial Section of the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, the visit will take place February 19-22.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership will arrange a series of matchmaking appointments for the Polish delegates with Virginia companies in both Richmond and Northern Virginia. These sessions will help lay the foundation for developing long-term trade relationships with Polish companies and promote Virginia exports. Translation services will be provided by Shenandoah University students.
“International trade is an important part of any successful economic development program,” said Mark R. Kilduff, Executive Director of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. “Efforts such as this visit will help Virginia businesses grow and prosper with new trade partners.”
According to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, opportunities for trade and investment continue to exist across virtually all sectors in Poland. Steady economic growth, the size of the Polish market and a high level of political stability are key reasons for the enormous trade opportunities in the information and environmental technology sectors. Virginia exported $18 million in products to Poland in 2000. Top Virginia exports include manufactured goods, industrial machinery, chemicals and electronic components.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the
economy of the Commonwealth. The Partnership is a state authority, which is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor. To accomplish its objectives of promoting
economic expansion within the Commonwealth, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business development and international trade.
For more information on the mission, please contact Tom Garnett, VEDP International Trade Manager, at (804) 371-8242 or TGarnett [at] YesVirginia.org.