The Georgia Department of Economic Development welcomes representatives from international companies as part of the GROW (Georgia Reaching Out Worldwide) Green program. 

International buyers from Israel, China, and Brazil are in Savannah (May 11-12) and Atlanta (May 14-15), to meet with state exporters. 

The GDEcD first initiated the GROW program in 2012 as part of a national grant through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program.

“The grant afforded GDEcD an opportunity to expand services to Georgia exporters,” said Mary Waters, Deputy Commissioner, International Trade for GDEcD. “This year marks the fourth year of Georgia’s GROW program." 

The 2015 GROW Green event is the first without grant assistance and is also sector-specific, as GROW Green involves environmental/green suppliers. The event connects international buyers/partners with Georgia companies, with the goal of growing Georgia's exports and producing more jobs throughout the state.  

“The program gives Georgia companies the opportunity to meet one-on-one with prospective international buyers/partners without the expense of international travel," said Waters. "Our local companies can explore export opportunities in their own backyards and the international buyers are able to see firsthand why Georgia is the No. 1 state in the U.S. for business, and a leading source of quality products and innovative technologies."

The international buyers/partners were pre-qualified by Georgia’s international representatives, located in 11 strategic global markets—Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Europe, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, and the United Kingdom and Ireland. 

“More than 60 percent of Georgia’s exports in 2014 were sold to countries where Georgia has international representation," Waters explains. "So the connections made by these representatives are a vital part of GDEcD’s export services and the export success enjoyed by the Georgia companies served by GDEcD.”  

More than 35 Georgia exporters have expressed interest in meeting the international buyers during this year's GROW Green event. 

“Georgia’s International Trade division is always working to open new sales markets for Georgia products,” Waters said. “When we are able to bring international buyers to Georgia, both the Georgia exporter and the buyers benefit." 

Developing economic development opportunities for Georgia businesses both within the U.S. and abroad is important to the state’s overall growth.

“Economic development is more than just numbers; it also includes establishing mutually beneficial partnerships, creating an innovative business climate and high quality of life, all factors that enable businesses to thrive,” said Waters. “We find that when international companies visit and experience Georgia, they find this kind of climate.”

For the past five years, Georgia exports have reached record levels with nearly $39.4 billion in exports in 2014. Waters explains that international sales opportunities can take time to develop before they generate results. 

“Based on previous GROW events, we expect to see positive results,” Waters stated. “In fact, approximately $3,700,000 in export sales have already taken place as a result of the previous three years of GROW programs.” 

For more information about Georgia’s international trade resources, contact Mary Waters at [email protected] or visit Georgia.org.