Third District Report December 2019

OFFICE OF FOREIGN TRADE

OFT Meetings and Events

 Met with Alex Foard, Director of Business Development with Bayarea Council to discuss ways how his agency can support us to grow exports to China. Bayarea Council is an organization focusing on economic development in the Bay Area, balancing long-term economic, social, and environmental sustainability. In 2012 the Bayarea Council partnered with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GoBiz) to establish and operate the California-China Office of Trade and Investment in Shanghai. The partnership has the goal to enhance investment and trade between China and the State of California.  Attended a meeting/presentation given by Trelynd Bradley, Senior Business Development Specialist from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development representing the Inland Region. Trelynd Bradley gave a presentation focusing on how the State is working on helping our regional economy thrive and what resources are available from the State. His presentation covered information about the State’s incentives for small businesses, tax credit programs, site selection, permitting, employment training panel, opportunity zones.  Met with UCR Office of Technology Partnerships and Entrepreneurial Programs to talk about how they can assist Office of Foreign Trade with Entrepreneurial Programs.  Presented to the Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce monthly community business breakfast the functions of the Office of Foreign Trade.  Participated in Corona Chamber event at Norco College, “The Future of Economic Development, Innovation, Talent and Livable Communities.  Met with visiting Mexican Officials from Mexico City (University de Espana en Mexico). Discussion was on possibilities of Riverside County looking into an International Logistics Certificate Program.  Met with local members of the Inland Empire Chinese American Alliance to discuss partnering.