became the Office of International Trade (Chapter
120, Acts of 1995). Placed under the Division of
Marketing in 1995, the Office was renamed Office
of International Business in 1996 (Chapter 321,
Acts of 1996).
The Office directs and coordinates State efforts
to promote international business development. Its
goal is to expand job and income opportunities
through international trade, commerce, and re-
verse investment programs.
The Office helps Maryland firms sell their prod-
ucts and services in the international marketplace
through participation in international trade fairs
and promotional events. The Office also encour-
ages foreign companies to locate new business en-
terprises in Maryland and to retain or expand
international enterprises here. The Office coordi-
nates its work with federal, State and local agencies.
Within the Office are four units: Foreign Invest-
ment, International Trade Development, Sister
States, and Trade Promotion.

FOREIGN INVESTMENT GROUP
Helga R. Weschke, Manager
(410) 767-6680

Formerly under the Maryland International Divi-
sion, the Foreign Investment Group began in 1992
as the Office of Foreign Investment and became the
Office of Inward Investment in 1994. In 1995, it was
renamed the Foreign Investment Group.
The Group was organized by the Department to
encourage international businesses to locate and in-
vest in Maryland. The Group advises foreign-owned
companies interested in Maryland on the best place
to locate their business and on the financial, technical
and training resources available to them.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE DEVELOPMENT
William Kutson, Manager
(410) 333-8180

International Trade Development was formed
by the Department in 1988 as the Office of Inter-
national Business Development. Reorganized as
the Office of Developing Markets in 1992, it re-
ceived its present name in 1995.
International Trade Development assists Mary-
land firms in exporting their products and services
to international markets. The office helps these
businesses effectively initiate or expand their over-
seas marketing.

SISTER STATES GROUP
Jean Van Buskirk, Manager
(410) 767-3386

The Sister States Group was initiated in 1986 as
the Maryland Sisters Program. It received its pre-
sent name in 1995. The Sister States Group devel-
ops and maintains international relationships which

benefit Maryland's trade and foreign prospect de-
velopment efforts. The Program establishes special
formal agreements between Maryland and states or
provinces in other countries to promote trade and
the exchange of business, cultural, educational and
scientific information. Maryland presently has
seven sister states: Anhui Province, People's Repub-
lic of China, Jalisco, Mexico, Kanagawa Prefecture,
Japan, Kyongsangnam-Do, Korea, Nord Pas de
Calais, France, the Lodz Region in Poland, and the
Leningrad Region in Russia. Maryland also has a
partnership agreement with the State of Rio de
Janeiro in Brazil, an agreement of mutual coopera-
tion with the Walloon Region in Belgium, and a
collaborative agreement with the City of St. Peters-
burg, Russia.

TRADE PROMOTION GROUP
Linda C. Sturgell, Manager
(410) 333-8180

In 1992, the Trade Promotion Group was es-
tablished by the Department as the Office of Mar-
keting and Operations. It was renamed in 1995.
The Trade Promotion Group builds alliances in the
international community, bringing trade intelli-
gence and opportunities to Maryland companies.
The Group also manages events and coordinates
international trade missions. It works to uncover
and promote world markets, as well as project and
trade opportunities for Maryland businesses.

DIVISION OF REGIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

Vernon J. Thompson, Assistant Secretary
for Regional Development

217 East Redwood St.
Baltimore, MD 21202—3316 (410) 767-0082

The Division of Regional Development began
in 1991 as the Division of Business Resources. It
was reorganized under its present name in 1995.
The Division forms productive relationships be-
tween the Department and public and private re-
gional economic development organizations. The
Division coordinates programs and strategies that
help companies and regions become even more
competitive and productive.
The Division has four offices: Federal Response
and Technology Commercialization, Regional Re-
sponse, Regulatory and Environmental Assistance,
and Small Business Development Centers.

MARYLAND ADVISORY COMMISSION ON
MANUFACTURING COMPETITIVENESS

Patrick J. Hanrahan, Chair, 1997

The Maryland Commission on Manufacturing
Competitiveness was formed in 1994 (Chapter