|
|
|
Business Resource Guide
Part 2
|
Business New Haven
10/13/2003
By: BNH
|
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) — Has 150 members locally, 8,000 nationally. Offers education, business-development programs, support and lobbying. Founded in 1995, group’s members can choose from multiple meetings throughout the state each month and pay dues of $100. Contact 203-679-5200, 203-458-2068 or visit www.nawbo.org.
Entrepreneurial Women’s Network — Formed to develop business talents, capabilities, leadership and skills of female business owners, as well as to provide information and a network to foster the exchange of information and sharing of experiences. With a membership of 115, dues are $75 and meetings are held third Wednesdays. Contact 203-222-3404 or visit www.ewn-ct.org.
Connecticut Professional Insurance Agents — Statewide trade association for independent insurance agents. Members meet bi-monthly and pay dues of $495-$1,200 based on producer’s premium volume. Contact 800-424-4244 or visit www.piaonline.org.
Financial Planning Association, Connecticut chapter — Promotes and serves as voice of financial planning profession. Meeting times and locations vary within Hartford, New Haven and Fairfield chapters. Dues are $275 and there are 250 members in Connecticut. Contact 860-721-1060 or visit www.fpaconnecticut.org.
TOASTMASTERS
Nutmeg Toastmasters
of Greater New Haven
First and third Tuesdays, 7 p.m.
Harborside Healthcare Willows
225 Amity Road, Woodbridge
Call 203-459-8834
Waterbury Toastmasters
First and third Fridays, 6:30 p.m.
Silas Bronson Library
267 Grand Street, Waterbury
Call 203-757-0751
Export Resource Guide
ORGANIZATIONAL HELP
Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) operates an International Trade Council (ITC) to raise the awareness of the importance of international trade for Connecticut. The council provides information and referrals on international trade as well as seminars on important international trade topics. Contact 860-244-1900, e-mail gioiap@cbia.com or visit www.cbia.com/gov/Councils.htm.
Connecticut Foreign Trade Association (CFTA) assists in promoting international trade in Connecticut by providing a forum for members to exchange information and network. Contact 800-243-4645.
Connecticut International Trade Association (CITA) educates the public by promoting world trade through the exchange of ideas and knowledge on international trade matters among its members and around the state. Contact 860-627-7636.
Connecticut World Trade Association (CWTA) is a resource for information and programs to promote two-way international trade. CWTA operates an Internet based system that enables users to post offers to buy and/or sell products and services. It also conducts seminars on trade issues. Contact 203-336-5353 or visit www.portconnecticut.com.
Internet International Business Exchange (IMEX) is an Internet information publisher for the import/export business. It helps entrepreneurs develop and implement their global Internet strategies through publications, information and marketing/business consulting. Visit www.imex.com or e-mail info@imex.com.
International Business Council of the Metro Hartford Alliance assists Hartford-based companies as they expand their business internationally through exports, strategic alliances, and technology licensing. Networking, seminars, trades missions and business visitations give members a chance to participate in internationally focused projects that enrich business opportunities. Contact 860-525-4451 or visit www.metrohartford.com/international.html.
World Affairs Council serves as the greater Hartford community source for all things international including a directory of Connecticut’s ethnic and international organizations, a listing of volunteer interpreters and translators, and global market and country specific cultural information. It works to develop greater awareness of governments and cultures around the world by providing a forum for people interested in international business culture and politics. P.O. Box 330569, West Hartford 06133. Contact 860-594-4100 or visit www.worldaffairs-htfd.org.
WestConn International Trade Association Inc. works to create an industrial and academic awareness of the importance of international trade to our national economy and to serve its membership in all aspects of world trade, imports, exports, domestic and foreign regulations. 1002 Hope Street, Stamford 06907. Contact 203-324-5620 or visit www.westconn.org.
The U.S. Department of Commerce staffs an Export Assistance Center in Middletown. Offers programs designed to assist small and mid-sized businesses. The center is home to international trade specialists who are made available to counsel businesses in Connecticut with these programs and services, as well as export strategies. 213 Court Street, Middletown 06457. Contact 860-638-6950 or visit www.export.gov/comm_svc/.
HOTLINES
Export Opportunity Hotline, Small Business Foundation of America provides information about getting started in exporting, as well advice on product distribution, documentation, licensing and insurance, export financing, analyzing distribution options, export management firms, customs, currency exchange systems and travel requirements. Contact 800-243-7232.
Export Hotline is a corporate sponsored, nationwide fax retrieval system providing international trade information for U.S. business. Its purpose is to help find new markets for U.S. products and services. Contact 800-USA-XPORT or visit www.exporthotline.com.
Flash Facts for several areas of the world, information available from the U.S. Department of Commerce if you have a touch-tone telephone and a fax. Dial the number, follow instructions and the requested information will automatically be faxed to you. Automated Fax Delivery System Flash Facts are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, free of charge. Flash Facts are available for the following regions:
o Eastern Europe Business Information Center (EEBIC) 202-482-5745. Information is available on specific Eastern European countries including Albania, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithunia, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia.
o Doing Business in Mexico 202-482-4464. Current trade-related documents concerning Mexico are available. Information is also available on the North American Free Trade Agreement; tariffs, permits and customs regulations; marketing, distribution and finance; investment; statistics and demographics. The same type of information is available for Canada by calling 202-482-3101.
o Office of the Pacific Basin 202-482-3875, 202-482-3646. Categories include general export information, regional and country information (Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam).
o Business Information Service for the Newly Independent States (BISNIS) 202-482-3145. Categories include U.S.-Newly Independent States trade statistics, current export and investment opportunities and upcoming trade events, general investment and defense conversion opportunities, World Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) opportunities, export and trade opportunities and BISNIS publications.
PLANNING, MARKETING, EDUCATION
University of Connecticut Center for International Business Education & Research (CIBER) was created to help increase the competitiveness of U.S. businesses globally. It focuses principally on global technology. Contact 860-486-5458 or visit www.ucc.uconn.edu/~cibadm01.
Also at UConn is the Connecticut Small Business Development Centers, created to advise and help small businesses in their early stages by providing one-on-one counseling as well as group training programs. Contact 860-486-4135 or visit www.business.uconn.edu/csbdc/.
Central Connecticut State University’s China Resource Center offers business management-training courses for Chinese clients of Connecticut businesses, as well as cultural sensitivity and negotiation practices for Connecticut managers and executives. Also offers language instruction in Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese. Contact 860-832-2813 or visit www.ccsu.edu/china/.
The Center for Global Competitiveness at Fairfield University assists companies looking to enter new markets or develop international trade. Provides detailed marketing plans for specific areas of the world in order to aid in choosing the country best suited for a specific company’s products/services. Bldg. 113, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield 06824. Contact 203-254-4000, ext. 2838 or via e-mail bbhalla@mail.fairfield.edu.
The Inlingua Language Center is a foreign communications provider offering services such as language training, translation and interpretation and foreign language voice-overs. 433 South Main Street, West Hartford 06110, 860-561-7252 or 2701 Summer Street, Stamford 06905, 203-964-0500 or visit www.Inlingua.com.
The Bridgeport Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) at the University of Bridgeport is part of the school’s department of marketing/law/international business and holds activities including conferences and trade missions, as well as international seminars. BFTI provides consulting service to firms seeking to do business overseas. Contact 203-576-4367 or visit www.bridgeport.edu/centers/ernest.html.
Teikyo Post University’s Management Center helps businesses with developing international trade. The center offers seminars and programs on international marketing topics, as well as foreign language and cultural classes to aid business people in global trade. 800 Country Club Road, Waterbury 06723. Contact 203-596-4681 or visit www.teikyopost.edu.
Connecticut International is a program of the state’s Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD) which helps businesses with international trade by increasing the competitiveness of Connecticut businesses, developing trade investment opportunities, aggressively pursuing foreign direct investment opportunities and building public/private strategic partnerships. 505 Hudson Street, Hartford 06106. Contact 860-270-8067 or visit www.ct.gov/ecd.
MyExports.com is a public-private partnership of the U.S. Department of Commerce and Global Publishers, LLC providing businesses with an exporter referral service that connects them to the global marketplace. Contact 877-390-2629 or visit www.myexports.com.
Southwest Area Commerce & Industry Association (SACIA) is a regional business council that serves Fairfield County and provides an array of services including professional development programs and seminars. SACIA works with regional groups and universities to provide programs with an international focus. One Landmark Square, Stamford 06901. Contact 203-359-3220 or visit www.sacia.org/internationaltrade.htm.
The World Affairs Forum seeks to promote a greater understanding of foreign policy issues and international affairs, and to provide a forum for dialogue between citizens and major foreign policy leaders from the public and private sectors. 111 Prospect Street, Stamford 06901. Contact 203-356-0340, e-mail info@worldaffairsforum.org or visit www.worldaffairsforum.org.
ISO 9000
The state’s Department of Labor offers funding for ISO 9000 training through its area Employer Service Units. Contact CERC at 800-392-2122 or visit www.ctdol.state.ct.us for referral.
Central Connecticut State University’s Institute for Technology & Business Development (ITBD) offers ISO 9000 certification information. This outreach program provides competitive advantages to business and industry through access to technical training, skill development and industrial modernization. Contact 860-827-7966.
The Connecticut State Technology Extension Program (ConnSTEP) offers ISO 9000 training by way of service providers that work individually with a company in a mentor type program. Contact 800-MEP-4MFG or visit www.connstep.org.
The Connecticut Quality Council is a private non-profit organization that offers ISO 9000 training workshops. The CQC offers public workshops on the Rensselaer at Hartford campus or contract on-site workshops for companies. 275 Windsor Street, Hartford 06120. Contact 860-548-2418 or visit www.ctqualitycouncil.org.
Excel Partnership Inc. provides international training and consulting to help companies form strategies for appropriate levels of ISO 9000 as well as other improvement techniques for management and production. Excel offers ISOnet, a series of classes and workshops on ISO 9000 certification. Contact 203-426-3281, e-mail xlp@xlp.com or visit www.xlp.com.
CONNECTICUT FOREIGN TRADE RESOURCES
Connecticut District Export Council (DEC). Affiliated with the U.S. Department of Commerce, DEC is a statewide advisory group comprised of experienced international trade executives. The council offers seminars, conferences and workshops and facilitates access to state and federal international trade related information and resources. 213 Court Street, Middletown 06457. Contact 860-638-6950, e-mail office.middletown@m
ail.doc.gov or visit www.portconnecticut.com/dec.html.
Connecticut World Trade Association (CWTA) is part of an international network of 320 world trade associations in 285 cities and 97 countries. It is a resource for information, contacts and programs that aid in two-way trade. It has more than 100 members and offers an electronic world trade-network, international business education, an international real estate service and library with NTDB capability, trade assistance and trade shows. 330 Water Street, Bridgeport 06604. Contact 203-336-5353 or visit www.portconnecticut.com/cwta.html.
WestConn International Trade Association Inc. is an international trade organization founded in 1972 that develops new concepts, procedures and techniques to assist with the expansion of international commerce. WestConn does this by promoting educational programs that address the issues of the industry. PMB No. 414, 1002 Hope Street, Stamford 06907. Visit www.westconn.org.
World Affairs Council helps small businesses be more effective in the global environment by focusing on social, cultural, political and economic international issues. Group holds an executive forum or business series each year. Terms from 180 days to seven years. P.O. Box 330569, West Hartford 06133. Call 860-594-4100 or visit www.worldaffairs-hftd.org.
CONNECTICUT-BASED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES & PROGRAMS
Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD). Industry Cluster & International Division encourages Connecticut businesses to export their products by providing information and contacts with public and private agencies that may help them access international markets. Division has representatives in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and South Korea. 505 Hudson Street, Hartford 06106. Contact 860-270-8067 or visit www.ct.gov/ecd.
Connecticut Israel Exchange Commission (CONNIX) was created by a state statute in 1988 to promote and develop business, academic, cultural and educational exchanges between Connecticut and Israel. Some of Connecticut’s Jewish federations provide funding for the commission, while the state provides in-kind services. 10 Middle Street, First Floor, Bridgeport 06604. Call 203-336-8700 or visit www.us-israel.org/jsource/states/CT.html.
BANK-BASED RESOURCES FOR EXPORTS
Connecticut banks with full-service international divisions that support various federal Ex-Im Bank programs include:
Fleet Bank 800-892-6346, www.fleet.com.
JPMorgan Chase Bank 800-242-7324, www.chase.com.
Fleet Bank offers an Ex-Im Bank program. The U.S. Export-Import Bank was created to expand U.S. exports by making financing more easily obtainable. There are several programs that have been made available to businesses by Ex-Im Bank at Fleet Bank:
o Working Capital Guarantee Program encourages banks to provide export financing to small and medium-sized businesses. Ex-Im Bank has given Fleet delegated lending authority, which allows the bank to lend up to $3.5 million without approval of Ex-Im Bank. There is no loan minimum or maximum, and loans must be used for export-related working capital.
o Medium-Term Foreign Buyer Financing Program offers protection on repayments for private-sector loans. No limitations on loan amounts.
o Export Credit Insurance Program proposes a number of policies that protect exporters from non-payment by foreign buyers for commercial or political reasons.
o JPMorgan Chase’s International Trade Services was designed to aid companies in meeting demands of the international marketplace. This service offers assistance in arranging flexible short-term financing, managing foreign exchange exposure, supporting overseas contract bids, as well as dealing with import and export letters of credit.
o Wachovia Bank offers CyberXport, an Internet-based service that aids exporters in maximizing return on foreign sales by the acceleration of the cash cycle, added control and reduction of risk and administrative costs, and simplified application of cash received on export shipments. Export activity can be tracked can be tracked on-line as it happens and information in the system’s databases can be searched on-line. Wachovia Bank 800-776-3862, www.wachovia.com/corp_inst/page/0,,7_22_228,00.html.
|
Go FirstGo PreviousGo
NextGo LastGo
to Index
|
|
