Date: April 27, 2011
Contact: Eric Matanyi
Governors State University
Phone: (708) 534-4044
Fax: (708) 534-8399
Email: ematanyi@govst.edu
For Immediate Release
CenterPoint at GSU Announces International Trade Resources
University Park, Illinois, April 27, 2011 - Governors State University (GSU) recently announced its new Illinois International Trade Center and additional educational opportunities for regional businesses. The programs are designed to help firms that are already involved in exporting to expand their markets and introduce additional Illinois products and services to overseas markets.
The Illinois International Trade Center will provide targeted, high-impact services for export-ready companies, including free one-on-one consulting, market research, technical assistance in trading and logistics, and seminars. The International Trade Center is part of a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to expand the existing Illinois Small Business Development Center services at CenterPoint at Governors State University.
Hongxia (Mary) Ma has been named director of the new International Trade Center. Ma has extensive experience in international trade and global logistics management as an executive with a Fortune 500 Chinese oceanic shipping company, and has worked in China, New Zealand, and Chicago before taking the position at GSU.
“The world is a huge marketplace with incredible opportunities to provide sales and create new jobs for our region,” said Ma. “We can help businesses harness that potential.”
According to the Illinois Office of Trade and Investment, Illinois exports totaled nearly $49.8 billion in 2010, a 19.6 percent increase over 2009. The state’s top five exports are machinery, electronic products, chemicals, transportation equipment, and agricultural products. “Chicago’s Southland has the potential to significantly increase its exports, which will positively affect economic development statewide,” Ma added.
CenterPoint is also working with the GSU College of Business and Public Administration to develop new education programs and opportunities to meet the needs of the business community. These programs will ensure that businesses have access to an educated workforce with a global perspective.
“Developing programs and using our resources to help our business community is an integral part of the university’s mission,” said Ellen Foster Curtis, Dean of the College of Business and Public Administration. “These initiatives ensure the university’s continuing role as an active partner in regional economic development.”
For more information on the CenterPoint International Trade Center visit www.centerpointgsu.com. For information on programs offered through GSU’s College of Business and Public Administration, visit www.govst.edu/cbpa.
Governors State University is located at 1 University Parkway in University Park, Illinois.
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CenterPoint at Governors State is a unique collaboration between Governors State University, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and the U.S. Small Business Administration. It provides expert management assistance to 600 entrepreneurs a year as they develop, grow, finance, and improve their businesses.
