|
 According to the U.S. census bureau, U.S. exports to South
Africa have increased from $2.5 billion in 2002 to $2.8 billion in
2003 (http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade). Ghana, often cited as the rising
star of West Africa, increased its GDP growth from 3.8 percent in
2000 to 4.5 percent in 2002. U.S. exports increased from more than
$192 million in 2002 to more than $209 million in
2003.
"This mission afforded a
wonderful opportunity for Maryland companies, educational
institutions and nonprofits that have interest in establishing
business relations in Ghana and South Africa to explore prospects
and meet with influential public and private sector leaders in each
country," says Michael Schneider, Director of International
Operations. "Maryland businesses met with market analysts and
embassy attaches who advised them on market potential and strategy
and matched them with their appropriate counterparts in Ghana and
South Africa. Mission participants were briefed on the commercial
environment of each country, met with potential clients or partners,
and participated in business and networking
receptions."
The International Operations
team, Joan Deoul, Adrienne van Lare, Mariana Marques and their South
African affiliate, Donald Keene, worked to maximize the proceeds for
each of the individual mission participants. Participating companies
were asked to outline their goals for the trade mission to enable
International Operations to fulfill their objectives through
tailored meeting agendas for each company with carefully
pre-screened and selected business and government
contacts.
Mission participants were in
Accra June 17 - 18, the Northwest Province of South Africa June 19 -
20, Johannesburg June 21 - 22 and Cape Town June 23 - 24. The
group returned to Maryland on June 25.
Participating industries
included work force development, international law, pharmaceutical
distribution and health education. Participating educational
institutions included Bowie State University and the University of
Maryland, Eastern Shore. | 
