Workshops aimed at increasing public awareness of international trade

Frankfort, Ky.  –  In response to the rapid growth of international exports from Kentucky’s small and mid-sized companies, the Cabinet for Economic Development’s International Trade Division, in conjunction with local and federal partners, will be hosting 7 seminars across the state throughout the month of March to cover topics such as international banking, international law, compliance, freight forwarding, certificates of origin, U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement, cultural training and much more. 

“Success in today's economy requires a world view.  These trade seminars provide a wealth of valuable information to assist smaller companies looking to expand their business internationally,” stated Secretary Gene Strong, Cabinet for Economic Development. “I encourage anyone considering entering the global market place to attend a workshop and learn the ropes of this exciting endeavor.”

Exports have proven to be of great economic value to individual companies, as well as the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  Kentucky exports rose 21% in 2004 compared to 2003 from $10.7 billion to more than $12.99 billion.  Kentucky is ranked first for the exporting of livestock and livestock products.  More than 47,000 direct jobs, 35,000 indirect jobs and 38,000 induced jobs in the Commonwealth are sustained by exports to foreign countries.

Seminar dates and locations are listed below:

Campbellsville

Date: March 8, 2005

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET

Location: Campbellsville University-Technology Training Center, 1 University Drive

Bowling Green

Date: March 9, 2005

Time: 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. CT

Location: The Carroll Knicely Conference Center, 2355 Nashville Road (31W)

Richmond

Date: March 10, 2005

Time: 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET

Location: The Carl D. Perkins Conference Center, 521 Lancaster Avenue

Henderson

Date: March 22, 2005

Time: 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. CT

Location: Wolf’s Convention Center, 325 First Street

Western KY/ Paducah/Hickory

Date: March 23, 2005

Time: 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. CT

Location: TVA Office Building, 10060 Highway 45-North, Hickory

Ashland

Date: March 29, 2005

Time: 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET

Location: Ashland Community & Technical College, 1400 College Drive Campus

Somerset

Date: March 30, 2005

Time: 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET

Location: The Center for Rural Development, 2292 South Highway 27, Suite 300

For more information on these seminars, please contact the International Trade Division within the Cabinet for Economic Development at 502-564-7140.

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The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state agency in Kentucky responsible for creating new jobs and new investment in the state. New business investment in Kentucky in 2004 totaled nearly $2.3 billion with the creation of just over 16,600 new jobs. Information on available development sites, workforce training, incentive programs, community profiles, small business development and other resources is available at www.thinkkentucky.com.