Seminar highlights trade opportunities

One of the main missions of the Nevada World Trade Council, also known as NEWTRAC, is to encourage Nevada companies to exploit the global trade market.

That's the focus of the group's seminar, "Nevada State Secrets Revealed: Expand Your Business and Make Money Exporting!" on March 24 at the Atlantis Casino Hotel.

Alan Di Stefano, director for Global Trade and Investment for the Nevada Commission on Economic Development, is the keynote speaker.

NEWTRAC President Jim Lauria said seminar topics will include international markets such as Europe and Asia and how to market products there.

"If you have a product that sells well in the U.S.

there's no doubt in my mind that you can sell it overseas," he said.

Lauria said the seminar will also provide tips on how to get in touch with government agencies that assist companies interested in exporting, and how to apply for grants earmarked for businesses involved in foreign trade.

"It's a clearinghouse of information," Lauria said.

"There's a lot of resources out there for to do international business."

NEWTRAC works with local organizations including the Nevada Commission on Economic Development and the California Council of Economic Trade as well as national agencies such as the U.S.

Department of Commerce and the Overseas Private Investment Corp., or OPIC, a developmental agency that helps American firms invest in foreign markets.

The council also has relationships with consulates in several countries.

Lauria said that Di Stefano has helped several Nevada companies participate in trade missions to China, for example, to promote their product in local markets.

NEWTRAC has contacts with various shipping lines out of San Francisco and other ports in California.

In addition, the workshop will provide a forum for meeting other like-minded businesses.

"It's all about contacts and networking," said Lauria.

But he warned that companies need to do due diligence, before they commit to international trade.NEWTRAC is intent on helping them.

Cost for the event is $25 for NEWTRAC members, $45 for non-members and $15 for students.

More information and reservations are available by calling 329-1414 or by email at nhi@charter.net.

More information about NEWTRAC is on its web site at www.newtrac.org.