Mississippi Development Authority to Lead Business Development Mission to Western Europe

PRESS RELEASE:

Mississippi Development Authority to Lead Business Development Mission to Western Europe

 

Jackson, Miss. (December 9, 2013) – Representatives from the Mississippi Development Authority will lead a delegation of Mississippi companies on a business development mission to Western Europe from March 31 to April 4, 2014. The trip will include stops in the United Kingdom and France. Participating companies will also have the opportunity to make a third stop if they have business prospects in a neighboring country.

The trip is designed to connect Mississippi businesses that want to expand trade and create new business relationships in the Western European market.

“Western Europe provides excellent opportunities for Mississippi companies considering exporting to the region,” said MDA Existing Industry and Business Division Director Skip Scaggs. “The UK is currently the second largest market in the world for U.S. service exports, and France is the U.S.’s third largest trading partner in Europe. Additionally, we are happy to arrange meetings in the vicinity of these two countries should members of our delegation have promising trade opportunities in other neighboring markets.”

The U.S. Small Business Administration-funded Mississippi State Trade Export Promotion program helps offset certain costs related to the trip. The STEP program reimburses eligible businesses up to 50 percent of their travel costs, including airfare and lodging, and provides translation services at no cost. Additional services include scheduled appointments with prospective, qualified buyers, local transportation assistance and a customized itinerary.

“MDA works through our contacts in Western Europe to qualify potential buyers, distributors and business representatives prior to meeting with members of our delegation,” said Scaggs. “We also work with companies before, during and after the trip to help them expedite and take advantage of business opportunities that come about from this trip.”

Space is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and early registration is recommended.  The deadline to register is February 14, 2014. For more information or to obtain a registration form, please contact MDA’s Senior European Trade Specialist Aggie Sikora at (601) 359-2952 orasikora@mississippi.org. Interested parties can also visit www.mississippi.org to learn more about the agency’s international marketing services and events or to request a consultation with an international trade specialist.

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