Spring 2021 International Update Newsletter
NEWS YOU CAN USEYOUR RESPONSE IS NEEDED Given events of the past year, the International Trade Office transitioned all activities to virtual. To gauge your interest in returning to in-person events and your preference for future service offerings, we would appreciate it if you could take the time to answer a short 5-question survey. We greatly value your input! Click here for the survey. |
 |
|
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR IOWA EXPORTERS The International Trade Office’s financial assistance grant programs support eligible export expenses to Iowa small businesses. The Market Trade Assistance Program (MTAP) aids projects involving a third-party that provide services to help with international exporting, including marketing and communications, translation, website, consulting, market entry, e-commerce, and more. The Export Trade Assistance Program (ETAP) helps offset expenses that come from exhibiting at or participating (including virtual) in an international trade show or IEDA mission outside of the U.S. The Domestic Trade Assistance Program (DTAP) helps offset expenses that come from exhibiting at an international trade show in the U.S. Details regarding grant amounts and the full list of eligible expenses for the MTAP, ETAP and DTAP can be found on the International Trade Office Financial Assistance page. If you have additional questions, please contact Lisa Longman at lisa.longman@iowaeda.com. |
 |
|
INTERNATIONAL TRADE OFFICE – CONSULTING AND EDUCATION The International Trade Office (ITO) offers a wide range of international trade and export compliance education to Iowa companies through a variety of avenues. The ITO is a go-to resource to guide companies to the right answers when it comes to international trade and exporting. |
 |
|
INTERNATIONAL TRADE OFFICE ONLINE RESOURCES The International Trade Office’s Resources page continues to expand: Directory section
News section
Additionally, there are downloads for marketing materials and guidelines, SBA Certification forms for grant applicants and intake forms for services. |
 |
|
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FUNDING AVAILABLE The Iowa Student Internship Program provides grants to small and medium-sized companies in targeted industries to support internship programs, with a goal of transitioning interns to full-time employment in Iowa upon graduation. Targeted industries include bioscience, advanced manufacturing, or information technology. This program allows students to intern in a variety of areas, including as an export intern to support a company's current or prospective international export efforts. Resources are available through the universities to assist employers in finding qualified interns. Funding may still be available for summer 2021. If you are interested, please contact Kerri Yost at internships@iowaeda.com. Fiscal year 2022 funding opens on July 1 for internships taking place in fall 2021 and spring and summer 2022. Learn more at Student Internships. |
 |
|
FOLLOW US ON LINKEDIN Check out the International Trade Office page for updates on events, resources and services. |
 |
UPCOMING EVENTSCUSTOMIZED VIRTUAL MATCHMAKING SERVICE The International Trade Office (ITO) continues to offer a virtual consultation program to develop new markets or expand existing ones for Iowa products and services. This online, no travel opportunity provides manufacturing and service exporters with market research, customized briefings and virtual one-on-one meetings with pre-qualified prospects specific to targeted industries. |
 |
|
IOWA TRADE TALKS – GLOBAL OPTIONS FOR IOWA Please join the ITO monthly webinar series. Upcoming sessions:
Details and registration are available at Consulting-Education. |
 |
RECENT HIGHLIGHTSGOVERNOR REYNOLDS, SECRETARY NAIG HIGHLIGHT Click here to view the full press release on the Japan virtual trade mission. |
 |
|
IOWA TRADE TALK SERIES The Trade Talk Series: Global Options for Iowa webinars continue into 2021 on a variety of topics. Worldwide Connect, a globally recognized cross cultural training firm, provided an overview of strategies and skills to succeed the virtual world. America’s SBDC Iowa discussed resources available to help develop marketing and business plans. Consul General Alan Gogbashian of the British Consulate-General in Chicago provided an update on current topics of interest. Click here to view the publicly available 2020-2021 Iowa Trade Talk Series webinars. |
|
|
USMCA TRAINING – PRACTICAL REQUIREMENTS AND UPDATES On July 1, 2020, the U.S. – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA) went into effect and replaced the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The new agreement opens opportunities for U.S. companies to export and sell to Mexico and Canada and works to decrease or eliminate tariff costs of production and trade, which ultimately can lower retail prices for consumers and increase profits for companies. |
 |
|
SUCCESSFUL IOWA VIRTUAL SOYBEAN TRADE MISSION WITH MEXICO In early March, the Iowa Economic Development Authority, in collaboration with the Iowa Soybean Association and the U.S. Soybean Export Council, held a virtual Iowa Soybean Trade Mission with Mexico. |
 |
GUEST ARTICLESINDIAN AGRICULTURE AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY India is predominantly an agrarian economy with around 58% of livelihood dependency on agriculture. The sector contributes to almost 16% of India’s gross domestic product (GDP). High proportions of agricultural land and diverse agro-climatic conditions have encouraged the growth of the agriculture sector in India. |
 |
|
CHILEAN FOOD MARKET: MAIN OPPORTUNITIES Chile is a stable and prosperous country, which consistently ranks high on international indexes´ relating to economic freedom, transparency and competitiveness. Chile also performs well in terms of low inflation, advanced financial market development, low levels of corruption and openness to foreign trade. |
 |