World Trade Center-Kansas City News: October, 2022
Nov 01, 2022
A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
In October, we celebrated the second half of Hispanic American month. WTC-KC prides itself on supporting minority and women owned businesses in their international trade initiatives, whether they are small businesses exporting for the first time or larger businesses interested in scaling their exports. However, WTC-KC is far from the only resource for Hispanic-owned businesses in Kansas City to utilize. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City is located in downtown Kansas City. They host events and provide opportunities for networking and expanding business. Learn more about the Hispanic Chamber here. The Hispanic Economic Development Corporation of Greater Kansas City is located in the West Crossroads neighborhood. They work to improve the lives of Latinos in KC through business development and economic and community wealth creation initiatives. Learn more about the Hispanic EDC here.
In exciting news, Kansas City was ranked in the top 10 cities in the U.S. for foreign businesses by the Financial Times. The cities were ranked in seven different metrics:
- Workforce and talent
- Openness
- Business environment
- Foreign business needs
- Quality of life
- Investment trends
- Aftercare
Our highest score was in the “business environment” and our area with the most opportunity for improvement was “openness.” We are ecstatic and proud for Kansas City to be included on such a prestigious list. It is a testament to the veracity of our Kansas City businesses and the commitment of the international business community. See the full ranking here. Congratulations, Kansas City!
We opened this month with a visit from the Missouri Foreign Directors Office with officials representing Brazil, Canada and Mexico. Each gave briefings on their respective countries and held one on one meetings with our businesses. To learn about events future like these, or to share feedback on what events you would like to see, please contact us here.
Events
Connect India 2022 – International Trade Show
WTCA & WTC-Mumbai
July 31 – November 29
Register here
South Africa: Green Hydrogen Workshop
U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)
October 31 – November 1
Register here
2022 Mid-America Trade Summit
University of Missouri (MU) and WTC-KC
November 1 – 2
Register here
Indo-Pacific Regional Airport Checkpoint Design RTM: Business Briefing
U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)
November 2
Register here
Making Global Markets Accessible
U.S. Commercial Service (USCS)
November 3
Register here
Executive-Led Aerospace & Defense Trade Mission
International Trade Administration (ITA)
November 6 – 11
Apply here
Practical Immigration Tips for Business Travelers
Husch Blackwell
November 9
Register here
Supply Chain Transformation
ACG
November 11
Register here
Global Entrepreneurship Week – Kansas City
KC SourceLink
November 14-20
Register here
SCEWC 2022
Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC)
November 15 – 17
Register here
China Town Hall
World Trade Center – Kansas City, University of Kansas (KU), & International Relations Council (IRC)
November 16
Register here
Trade Essentials: Learn How to Expand Your Business Globally
World Trade Center – Kansas City (WTC-KC)
November 17
Register here
2022 Berkley Lecture: Ambassador Robert Jordan
International Relations Council (IRC)
November 30
Register here
Trade War Lab Speaker
University of Kansas (KU)
December 2
Save the date
2022 EXIM Annual Conference
EXIM Bank
December 13
Register here
Türkiye Smart Operations & Transportation Business Briefing
U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)
December 15
Register here
TradeWinds
U.S. Commercial Service (USCS)
March 13 – 15, 2023
Register here
Dispatches from DC
On October 20, UK Prime Minister Liz Truss announced her resignation, just six weeks after taking office in September. She was elected by the Conservative Party to replace Boris Johnson after his registration. After two weeks in office, Truss’s financial minister revealed a bold new financial plan without a plan to pay for it. This move tanked the pound, causing interest ranks to soar and increasing inflation. With Truss’s resignation, the Conservative Party must elect a new Prime Minister. Rishi Sunak is expected to win the vote and become the new Prime Minister by October 28, 2022. The White House released a statement on Truss’s resignation:
“The United States and the United Kingdom are strong Allies and enduring friends – and that fact will never change. I thank Prime Minister Liz Truss for her partnership on a range of issues including holding Russia accountable for its war against Ukraine. We will continue our close cooperation with the U.K. government as we work together to meet the global challenges our nations face.”
President Biden remains unconcerned with any potential effects the UK’s second leadership transition in as many months may have on the American economy or the relationship between the two nations. CNBC predicts that the transition will not have a large impact on U.S. markets.
RESOURCES
Black & Veatch’s Annual Sustainability Report
- Black & Veatch’s 2022 Sustainability Report outlines their environmental, social, and governance efforts. Their 2020-2023 Sustainability Strategy focuses on the concept of “Accelerate Zero, which guides their work and progress towards improving their environmental stewardship, social progress, and good governance.