NNDA joins Gov. in Europe in trade mission

Northern Nevada Development Authority’s executive director, Robert Hooper, and a sub delegation from the Sierra Region of Northern Nevada are in Lublin, Poland, this week as part of Gov. Sandoval’s European trade mission.

The mission is part of an ongoing initiative to build relationships and grow Nevada’s international presence. The sub delegation includes Carson City Manager Nick Marano; Joel Grace with the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN); Kaushal Chokshi with Scaale Inc., a company specializing in globalization which recently opened up Scaale Carson City; and business leaders from the Sierra Region, Reno, and Las Vegas.

The delegation’s stop in Poland is focused on the economic similarities and synergies between Nevada and the European country.

“Poland’s economy is growing parallel to the market in Northern Nevada,” said Hooper. “Poland and Nevada are seeing the same growth in the technology and advanced manufacturing sectors which is creating opportunities for the two areas to work together. Nevada companies can use Poland as a place to launch their European operations, likewise, Polish companies can use Nevada as a hub to sell their products in the U.S. creating a win-win for both economies.”

Nevada companies exported $7.7 billion worth of products globally last year, with the majority of companies being small to midsized businesses. Regardless of size, companies looking to grow their market can consider exporting as an option. Poland’s similar economy and rapid growth make it an ideal place to start an export initiative. Lublin provides an opportunity because of the city’s similar population size to Northern Nevada and its explosive growth in technology fields.

NNDA and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development have been working to build relationships with Polish companies and officials. In January, NNDA and GOED hosted a delegation from Poland in the Sierra Region to discuss opportunities to work together.

Much of the Sierra Region sub delegation’s time in Poland is being spent meeting with companies interested in doing business in Carson City. The group is also visiting technology and research parks to better understand the size and scale of Poland’s technology sector.

The sub delegation will now head to Warsaw where it will rejoin Gov. Sandoval and the rest of the trade mission as it finishes up its stop in Germany. The Polish Chamber of Commerce is holding a reception in Warsaw for Gov. Sandoval and the trade mission where it will meet with business and government leaders. Poland is the latest stop on the trade mission; the Nevada delegation previously visited Ireland, London and Germany.