International Trade Resources continued

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.

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.

(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. They provide expert management assistance to 600 entrepreneurs a year as they develop, grow, finance, and improve their businesses.)