HIA-LI Committee Corner

Manufacturing/International Trade Committee

During the September meeting of the Manufacturing/International Trade Committee, Chris Valsamos and his team hosted an outstanding meeting on Doing Business in Spain.

Chris spoke about his experience as an import/export distributor and manufacturer. Michael Wieting (in the suit & tie) Spanish Trade Representative talked about what sectors Long Island manufacturers and distributors can take advantage of. Brad Hemingway talked about the Islip Foreign Trade Zone. Elisabeth Muehlemann, Empire State Development, talked about Global NY grants and trade missions. Marisel Trespalacios, US Commerce Department talked about trade missions and support offered to help export/import.

We were fortunate to have the Trade Representative from Spain, Michael Wieting, who talked about the very interesting industry sectors in the Andalusia Region of Spain, including where Airbus has one of 3 final assembly sites in Europe, Spain being the largest producer of olive oil as well as many other food products, hosts a vibrant Biotech industry and automotive sector.

We were also joined by Brad Hemingway, Executive Director of the Town of Islip Foreign Trade Zone, who discussed the benefits of both the Trade Zone as well as a new program by Suffolk County allowing Trade Zone benefits to be designated anywhere in Suffolk County.

Elisabeth Muehlemann, Empire State Development, talked about what NY State is doing to support Long Island manufacturers to expand internationally, including sponsoring trade missions, making international connections and grants available to support attending international trade shows, trade show booths and translation services.

Patti Stoff, Long Island Import/Export Association, talked about services available to support international trade including advisors to keep importers and exporters to avoid violating Federal and International laws.

As usual, the meeting started and finished with some great networking with the President of Wenner Bread, CEO of Castella, and the crowd of import/export experts in the room!

Please join us at HIA-LI’s Small Business Open Forum: Hitting the Mark: Character, Competence and Chemistry that Create Effective Culture on November 1, 2018 at Simplay Entertainment.