International Trade Opportunties Program

Online, July 28, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Aurora Chamber To Offer Program On International Trade Opportunities

Local, State, Federal Trade Experts Will Share Ideas, Successes with Aurora Area Businesses

(AURORA, IL) -- In an effort to assist local businesses in finding success during this economy, the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce offers an international trade summit on Thursday, Aug. 19, from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. The program, sponsored by Caterpillar and Peerless Industries, will be held at Peerless Industries, 2300 White Oak Circle in Aurora.

In 2008, Illinois exported $53.4 billion in manufactured goods, which supported more than 409,000 manufacturing jobs. That year, Illinois exported $7.5 billion in agricultural products which supported more than 86,800 agricultural jobs. In one year, Illinois exports more than $16 billion in services. Foreign companies employ more than 243,000 workers in our state.

And, smaller businesses in Illinois benefit from trade. Nearly 90% of the 15,607 Illinois companies that exported goods in 2007 were small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 500 employees.

Illinois' top export markets in 2008 were Canada ($14.9 B), Mexico ($4.2 B), China ($2.5 B), Australia ($2.4 B) and Japan ($2.4 B). Opportunities for small business are available.

The Aurora Regional Chamber is assisting regional businesses interested in international trade. Join us for a program featuring representatives from the US Chamber of Commerce, US Department of Commerce, Illinois Trade Office and local businesses involved in international trade.

For information, visit the event page at http://tinyurl.com/trade2010.