World Trade Center-Kansas City News: February, 2023

A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

Happy February from WTC-KC! We started the year strong by launching a new event series, “Talking Trade: Coffee & Networking.” For this inaugural event, we partnered with the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Shook, Hardy, & Bacon, L.L.P., to bring together a group of businesses and service providers. Our attendees shared successes and challenges in doing international business and shared tricks of the trade. Thank you to everyone who joined us at the event. Stay tuned for our next event in this series coming in March.

We are currently recruiting for the Spring cohort of the Heartland Export Accelerator. Spread out over eight weeks, companies in this program will participate in educational programming and mentoring sessions, while actively building a customized, strategic export plan. They will leave the program with a fully vetted export plan, essential contacts and resources, and a deeper knowledge of global trade. Applications for the Spring cohort are due February 24 and info sessions are on February 8 and February 17. Learn more about the program here.

This month, we are excited to publish the updated Global Cities Initiative Metro Export Plan. The original plan devised in 2016 has been updated based on client and stakeholder feedback to create a modern export plan for Kansas City to ensure the city still has a focus on going global. Read the updated plan here.

WTC-KC finalized a Memorandum of Understanding with the World trade Center Bengaluru, Chennai & Kochi. We are excited to utilize this agreement to work within the World Trade Centers Association global network to create opportunities for Kansas City businesses across the globe.

Please contact us for assistance with any trade needs.

Events

Going Global: Focus on Oman & the GCC
WTC-KC, WTC Montana, WTC Delaware
February 7
Register here - use code “WTCKC”

Heartland Export Accelerator Info Session
WTC-KC
February 8
Register here

Cultural Connection: Women in STEAM from Morocco
Global Ties KC
February 3
Register here

Access Africa Now Webinar Series
U.S. Commercial Service
February 8
Register here

Real World Learning: Get on the Bus
Kauffman Foundation
February 8
Register here

Managing Global Supply Chain Webinar
WTCA & U.S. Department of Commerce
February 9
Register here

American Agrifood Showcases in Taiwan
Missouri Department of Agriculture
February 14- deadline to sign up
Learn more

Taking the Long View: Emerging Trends in Real Estate
KC Chamber & ULI
February 15
Register here

Heartland Export Accelerator Info Session
WTC-KC 
February 17
Register here

8th Annual Healthy KC Event & Vendor Expo
KC Chamber
March 9
Register here

Offshore Technology Conference
U.S. Commercial Service
May 1-4
Learn more

Dispatches from DC

Photo of Globe in grayscale with Africa highlighted in gold-tones.

The Biden Administration closed out 2022 with a focus on Africa. The U.S. Africa Business Forum convened in Washington, DC, bringing together U.S. and African government officials and companies to work towards a deeper trade relationship. The forum was hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Corporate Council on Africa in partnership with the U.S. government’s Prosper Africa initiative.

President Biden announced a new initiative, Digital Transformation with Africa, focused on expanding digital access and literacy across the continent. U.S. Secretary of Commerce stated, “All businesses should take note of new opportunities for trade, investment, and commerce in Africa, spurred by improvements in the business environment, a continent-wide free trade area, and a new generation of entrepreneurs on the move.” She emphasized that American businesses should see investment in Africa as an investment in the future of their business.

The U.S. Department of Commerce plans on building on the momentum of the Forum in 2023 with MOUs with partner countries and continued visits from Secretary Raimondo and Deputy Secretary Graves. The Department is interested in deepening commercial partnerships across the continent. Read the press release here.

The Forum covered topics such as Agribusiness, Sustainable Development, Digital Connectivity, and Trade Relations. Africa is set to become the world's largest single market with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Learn more about the forum here. Read the World Bank’s findings of the AfCFTA here

WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO

Photo of phone playing podcast and hand writing in notebook.

Previewing the US and global economies in 2023

  • Dollar & Sense: The Brookings Trade Podcast
  • Listen here

The dreaded WTO ruling on Trump’s national security tariffs

  • Trade Talks: Peterson Institute for International Economics
  • Listen here

RESOURCES

Photo of hands typing on laptop with computer monitor in the background.

Veteran Small Business Certification Program

Hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Veteran-owned small businesses can use this application to be certified by SBA to compete for federal contracts.

Learn more