International Business Committee meeting

Committee Purpose
The purpose of the International Trade Committee of the South Denver Chamber of Commerce is to help create economic opportunity and promote fiscal prosperity for Colorado workers, entrepreneurs and businesses. How do we do that? How do we achieve such gigantic task?
We plan to do so through trade seminars, trade shows, conferences, power breakfasts and luncheons, among other strategies. The committee also will help educate entrepreneurs and companies about how to tailor their activities to specific global markets with respect to their product slate, financing, marketing, assembly and logistics.
To take advantage of business opportunities in the global economy, an investor must first understand and appreciate how others do business in their respective countries. The more an investor learns about the traditions and customs of the country he or she would like to do business, and the more time that investor takes to build personal relationships with potential business counterparts, the better positioned he or she will be to profit from international trade. Lack of familiarity with the business practices, social customs, and etiquette can weaken an investor's position in the market, and ultimately lead to failure. This is the essence for the conduct of global trade seminars, conferences and power breakfasts and luncheons. The importance for such forums, consequently, is a no-brainer because every country is a little different, so for each location where one plans to do business, that entrepreneur needs to get answers to several important questions, such as:
 What is the government's trade policy, and what is its attitude toward foreign investors?
 Is the country's current economic climate favorable for investment?
 Does the country have an economic development plan that focuses on certain industries?
 How does the country's political system work?
 Are there opportunities for market expansion to neighboring countries and regions?
The businessperson?s answers to these questions will help determine whether it is feasible to pursue a venture. If a decision is made to go ahead, the next task is to understand and appreciate how business practices differ. In many countries around the world, business relationships tend to develop over time. Your business transactions will go more smoothly if you get to know the people you are dealing with personally.
This committee will help entrepreneurs understand global cultures and traditions to influence business; help interpret current economic trends, government trade policies and political systems; and assist with locating funding for international trade.
Working with the U. S. Department of Commerce, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and Washington, DC-based foreign embassies and consulates, this committee can equip businesses with the knowledge and tools they need to meet daunting global business challenges.
In a nutshell, this is the core reason for our being. Thank you for listening.