News Room
New International Trade Center Expected to Increase Global Trade for Region
CHAMPAIGN, IL, July 12, 2013 – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the Illinois Small Business Development Center at the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation are pleased to announce the opening of a new International Trade Center (ITC). The ITC will be housed in the offices of the Champaign County EDC – located at 1817 S. Neil Street, Suite 100, Champaign – and will serve to support efforts to expand international trade opportunities in the region.
“This international trade partnership will enable businesses to easily access the University of Illinois’ unique expertise as a world leader in research and teaching, which is further distinguished by the breadth of our programs, broad academic excellence, and internationally renowned faculty,” said Pradeep Khanna, Associate Chancellor for Corporate and International Relations.
The ITC will serve as the single point of contact for information related to international business, leveraging the existing resources and partnerships in the Champaign County region and beyond. The ITC will provide businesses with a complete range of services to support the process of international trade including the following: evaluating the company’s readiness to export, examining access to foreign market information, and assisting with documentation assistance, automated trade leads, and linkages with trade representatives.
In addition to helping businesses already involved in international trade, the ITC will provide research support for new markets and products and referral assistance for export related activities, licensing, certification, legal and financial consultation, logistics and customs issues.
“We are excited to partner with DCEO and the University of Illinois to help our area businesses further expand into foreign markets,” said Greg Gonda, Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at the Champaign County EDC. “This new partnership represents Illinois’ mission to be a significant player in the global marketplace and we will look forward to working together to ensure that success.”
For more information about the International Trade Center, please visit www.champaigncountyedc.org or email itc@champaigncountyedc.org.
Contact:
Carly McCrory, Communications Director
Champaign County Economic Development Corporation
(217) 359-6261
carly@champaigncountyedc.org
www.champaigncountyedc.org