Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers

TRADE MISSION TO PANAMA AND COLOMBIA

JUNE 23-29, 2013

Colombia is a country in South America which has been growing at an annual rate of 5% for the past 4 years! Pennsylvania exports to Colombia grew 138% from 2005-2010. Colombia signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the U.S. as well as with the European Union. This FTA provides preferential or zero tariffs for U.S. products and services. Some of the industries in demand for U.S. products are:

• Oil and Gas Machinery, Environmental, Transportation and Infrastructure, Construction and Mining Equipment, Telecommunications Equipment, Information Technology, Military Equipment, Automotive parts, Electrical Power Systems, Food Beverage Processing, Packaging Equipment, Medical Equipment and Education.

Panama is: a country in Central America; the second largest free trade zone in the world; a logistics and distribution hub to trade with Asia and the Americas via the Panama Canal and the highest growth country in Latin America in 2011 with an impressive growth of 8%. Panama signed a Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. on October 31, 2012. Some of the industries in demand for U.S. products are:

• Agriculture, Automotive, Building Products, Computers & Peripherals, Construction Equipment, Electrical Power Systems, Financial Services, Franchising, Port & Shipbuilding, Security & Safety Equipment, Education, and Telecommunications Equipment.

Trade Mission Information

Trade Mission Itinerary

-June 24-26: Business appointments in Panama. Travel to Bogota, Colombia.

-June 27-28: Business appointments in Colombia.

-June 29: Leave for U.S.

Registration: Deadline is March 28, 2013.

Comparison Cost (Estimated) Chart with and without GAP.

Item - Cost w/o GAP GAP Covers Your Final Cost

Air:$1900 $1900

Food: $300 $ 300

Hotel: $1200 $1200 GAP reimbursed

Taxi: $300 $ 300 GAP reimbursed

Interpreter: $1600 $1600 GAP reimbursed

Participation Fee:$1500* $1500* GAP reimbursed

Total: $6800 est. $4600 est. $2200 est.

* Fee is $1000 for visiting one country only.

Register and pay online at or . Complete the Participation Agreement and send with check payable to Duquesne University SBDC. Mail to: Brent Rondon, Duquesne University SBDC, 600 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15282. Tel. 412-396-5670.

GAP Funding & Matchmaking Information

The PA GAP funding is available for qualified small businesses as defined by SBA (typically under 500 employees). Companies cannot be debarred from U.S. exporting and have a strategic business plan. Companies are responsible for airfare and food. GAP funding reimburses for hotel, transport in country, interpreter fees, and PA mission fee.

The trip includes pre-arranged business appointments-- an average of 3-5 meetings per day. The first 10 qualified companies will be accepted. Apply early!

Sponsored by:

Global Business Program at Duquesne University’s SBDC, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, SBA, U.S. Commercial Service, PA-DCED-CTD. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers

TRADE MISSION TO PANAMA AND COLOMBIA

June 23-29, 2013

Participation Agreement

Fill out the form below and send payment of participation fee $1500 (for two countries) or $1000 for one country. Mail it toDuquesne University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) 600 Forbes Ave. Rockwell Hall-108. Pittsburgh, PA 15282. Tel. 412-396-5670. Fax. 412-396-5884. Brent Rondon. . Make checks payable to Duquesne University SBDC. You can also register and pay online at

Registration and payment must be received by March 28, 2013.Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.

As a duly authorized representative of the above-named company, I have read, understand and agree to the following terms with regard to being a participating company in this Pennsylvania Trade Mission:

• Only Products of 51 % Pennsylvania or US content and/or value-added products may be represented as part of the participating company’s products / services.
• No foreign produced items may be included, except items from foreign countries that have been processed or value-added in Pennsylvania.
• The participating company must have an office and staff or manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania.
• In the event the participating company withdraws from the Pennsylvania Trade Mission to Panama and Colombia, the participating company will be subject to forfeiture of the entire participation fee. If US Commercial Service determines that Gold Key Services do not apply because there is not a market, full payment will be refunded. If GAP funds are not approved, company can receive full refund or choose to pay.
• All participating companies must provide information on the results attained through participation in the Pennsylvania Trade Mission to Panama and Colombia to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. “Results” are current and future sales and dealings transacted (distributors and agents) as an outcome of participating in the Pennsylvania Trade Mission to Panama and Colombia.
• Participating companies assume all risks of participation in this Pennsylvania Trade Mission.

CompanyAuthorized Representative (Please Print)

Signature

TitleDate

Payment Enclosed of $______