International Business
Virginia’s Gateway Region provides a unique, “one-house” resource for international businesses exploring U.S. operations. With over 55 foreign firms located in the Gateway Region, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities for international businesses. We are dedicated to making it convenient and attractive to start and develop your business in Virginia. Specifically, Virginia’s Gateway Region provides cost-free support services for foreign organizations as individuals explore investment or business opportunities within the region. Services include:
- Assistance in scheduling meetings with government officials, attorneys and CPAs
- Arrangement for company and/or site visits
- Opportunities for regional economic developers to make presentations to visiting foreign companies and governments
- Access to meeting rooms
- Telephone conferencing to facilitate meetings with Virginia companies
- Discounted lodging opportunities
Virginia’s Gateway Region ensures the process is efficient and thorough. Representatives from a foreign company are introduced to area economic developers, representatives from companies with whom they want to do business, attorneys, CPAs, banking representatives and any other appropriate contacts. In one trip, a company can take care of all its needs.
In addition to the regional resources available to international businesses, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) offers many programs and services to help international companies expand their markets. Below is a listing of VEDP’s International Trade Division's programs and services.
AIM Program : The Accessing International Markets (AIM) Program presents a new and innovative opportunity for Virginia companies to successfully enter into the global marketplace. The purpose of AIM is to position new-to-export companies, or companies entering a new market, to confidently face the challenges of international sales and realize the benefits of exporting. Opportunities to expand sales of existing products & services to new customers beyond the U.S. market, results in added jobs and greater revenue. The one-year, competitive program, which started in late 2005, assists 20 firms per year.
Trade Missions and Trade Shows: The Division of International Trade conducts international trade missions to promote Virginia products and services in foreign markets. The VEDP also hosts foreign trade delegations and arranges meetings between Virginia firms and these potential foreign buyers.
VALET Program: The VALET Program is an innovative program to assist companies throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia as they expand their business with international export trade. It offers a powerful combination of capital resources from the state and professional services from private-sector partners to enhance the international efforts of up to 15 companies per year. This program is the first of its kind in the United States.
Global Network Program: The Global Network Program is a unique resource offered by VEDP's Division of International Trade. The Global Network is a comprehensive group of pre-screened in-country consultants who work with the Division of International Trade on behalf of Virginia companies. These consultants deliver top-notch market research specific to your industry and your target market. Best of all, it's free to qualifying companies up to $5,000 per fiscal year (which runs July 1-June 30).
For information on Exporting in Virginia:
A Basic Guide To Exporting: A step by step outline for first-time exporters.
http://www.unzco.com/basicguide
Export Hotline Online: Contains information on countries, industries, trade stats, trade shows, shipping services and contacts for exporting.
http://www.exporthotline.com/
Global Insight: Source of regional, national and international economic information, consulting and data services. Also contains recent news releases and special studies.
http://www.globalinsight.com
Trade Information Center: A Department of Commerce page on federal export assistance programs, country and regional market information and trade leads.
http://www.ita.doc.gov/td/tic/
Glossary of Shipping Terms (U.S. Dept. of Transportation): Definition of shipping terms, organized alphabetically.
http://www.marad.dot.gov/publications/Glossary/glossary.html
For information on Financing in Virginia:
Virginia Dept. of Business Assistance, Financing: Delivers and develops financial products and service to increase employment and investment of private capital in Virginia businesses.
http://www.dba.state.va.us/financing/
Banker's Association for Foreign Trade: Dedicated to manufacturing. Contains search options, resources, partners and referrals.
http://www.baft.org
Export-Import Bank of the United States: Independent U.S. government agency that helps finance the overseas sales of U.S. goods and services.
http://www.exim.gov
International Monetary Fund: Informational website of the international organization helping to maintain a stable system of buying and selling currencies so that payments between foreign countries occur without delay.
http://www.imf.org/
Inter-American Development Bank: The oldest and largest regional multilateral development institution, it was established to help accelerate economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Dedicated to manufacturing.
http://www.iadb.org
Overseas Private Investment Corporation: Independent U.S. government agency that sells investment services to assist U.S. companies overseas.
http://www.opic.gov
Small Business Administration (SBA) - Financing Your Business: SBA works with banks to provide exporters with loans and venture capital financing through a variety of programs.
http://www.sba.gov/financing/
World Bank: Emphasizes investing in people, protecting the environment, supporting private sector development, strengthening ability of governments to deliver quality services and promoting reforms to create a stable macroeconomic environment.
http://www.worldbank.org
U.S. Trade and Development Agency: Helps U.S. companies pursue overseas business opportunities. Online resources, library and trade and export news.
http://www.tda.gov
For Information on Virginia Trade Resources:
Virginia Port Authority: Port operations, services, stats and international trade development news. http://www.vaports.com/
Virginia Society of CPA's: Website for the VSCPA's. Contains links, referrals and news releases. http://www.vscpa.com/
Virginia Stat: Statistics on business, demography and economy of Virginia.
http://www.coopercenter.org/econ/VASTAT/
Virginia State Bar: Licensing board for lawyers practicing in Virginia. Regulates, improves and educates members of the legal profession, promotes administration of justice and quality of legal services provided to Virginians.
http://www.vsb.org/
Sister Cities International: Agency that links communities from the U.S. with communities worldwide. http://www.sister-cities.org
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Promotes economic growth and development of Virginia's agriculture. http://www.vdacs.state.va.us/
For information on Licensing Controls:
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security: Controls exports, develops export control policies and issues export licenses. Search options and press releases.
http://www.bis.doc.gov
Institute for Standards and Technology: Works with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements and standards. Links, search options, publications and upcoming events.
http://www.nist.gov/
Trade Compliance Center: Helps U.S. exporters benefit from trade agreements. Trade agreement database, market access information and links.
http://www.export.gov
Virginia Chamber of Commerce: Statewide business organization that represents businesses at both state and federal level. Government affairs, publications, news releases and Virginia links.
http://www.vachamber.com
World Trade Organization: Forum for trade negotiations, handles trade disputes and monitors trade policies. Cooperates with other international organizations.
http://www.wto.org/
U.S. Customs: Handles issues from duties, import clearance, and required Shipper's Export Declaration (SED). Customs also has general export information and links to other Federal Government web sites.
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov
Additional Information:
American Association of Exporters and Importers: National association that represents U.S. corporations involved in importing and exporting before the Executive Branch, Congress and regulatory agencies. http://www.aaei.org
American Translators Association: Largest professional association of translators and interpreters in the U.S. http://www.atanet.org
Federation of International Trade Associations: Promotes international trade by strengthening role of associations in North America that have an international mission. http://www.fita.org/
National Capital Area Chapter of the American Translators Association, Professional Services Directory: Searchable up-to-date directory of translation, interpretation and other language services. http://www.ncata.org/
Export Legal Assistance Network (ELAN): Under the ELAN program, international trade attorneys from the Federal Bar Association provide free initial consultations to small businesses interested in starting export operations. http://www.fita.org/elan
For more information about the Virginia’s Gateway Region International Business Attraction Services or for specific contacts at VEDP Division of International Trade contact our office at (804) 732-8971, (800) 386-8925 or via email.