World Trade Center-Kansas City News: April, 2022
May 03, 2022
A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
April was a full month at the WTC-KC! On April 7, we were honored to host the Ambassador from Paraguay, His Excellency Jose Antonio dos Santos and Counselor Sebastian Ortiz, head of the Trade and Economic Affairs’ Office in the Embassy of Paraguay to the United States for a business roundtable. Attendees learned about the leading industries in Paraguay as well as both Paraguay’s existing trade relationship with Paraguay and its goals for strengthening that relationship. Attendees were able to ask pragmatic questions surrounding doing business in Paraguay, such primary business languages. If you are interested in learning more about doing business in Paraguay, please reach out and we would be happy to connect you with the Embassy.
On April 14, we were honored to host the Economic Minister from the Embassy of South Africa to the United States, Mr. Malose Letsoalo in a virtual business roundtable. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the leading industries in South Africa, as well as South Africa’s trade relationship within the continent. If you are interested in learning more about doing business in South Africa, please reach out to us here and we would be happy to connect you with the Embassy.
Looking ahead, World Trade Month is coming up in May! World Trade Day 2022 is May 11. WTC-KC is working with the International Steering Committee of Kansas City to host a logistics and distribution-focused event from 3-5 pm at the KC Central Library. This event is geared towards manufacturers, service providers, importers & exporters, and resource partners. Register here.
Thank you for your continued support of WTC-KC. Please reach out for assistance in your business’s international journey at any stage.
Events
U.S. Commercial Service Export Week
May 2-6
Register here
Veteran Institute for Procurement International Training Session
May 10-12
In-person, Potomac, MD
Apply here
Doing Business with Mexico
May 24
12-1 PM
Register here
ILA Berlin 2022 Event
June 22-26
Register here
AMCHAM Business Summit 2022: Resilience & Reinvention: Trade Between the U.S. & East Africa
June 28-30
Virtual or in-person in Nairobi, Kenya
Register here
Investor Spotlight
Drew Felling, member of the WTC-KC investor Board, was appointed to the Mid-America District Export Council by U.S. Secretary of Commerce. He is an International Banking Manager at Commerce Bank and plans to focus on educating exporting businesses on international trade finance as a member of DEC. Congratulations, Drew! Read the full press release here.
Dispatches from DC
Earlier this month, the EXIM Board of Directors unanimously approved the Make More in America initiative, which focuses on export-oriented domestic manufacturing projects. Based on Executive Order 14017, This initiative aligns with the current Administration’s goals of strengthening the U.S. supply chain. EXIM Bank describes the initiative on providing primarily small and medium sized American manufacturers with “…new access to capital to fill critical supply chain gaps.” Applications in environmentally beneficial, small business, and transformational export transactions will be priorities. The goal of this initiative is to both support U.S. jobs and increase supply chain security. Read more here and stay up to date here to find out if this is an opportunity for your business.