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UPS Financial Unit Named #1 Lender By Export-Import Bank

For the fifth year in a row, the Export-Import Bank of the United States has ranked UPS's First International Bank as its top provider of export and working capital loans. The loans will help small businesses to expand globally.

First International, a unit of UPS Capital, was ranked No. 1 among the 130 financial institutions in a dozen countries that used Ex-Im Bank guarantees during the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2001. First International facilitated 118 transactions for customers in more than 20 countries during the period, with its Ex-Im-backed approvals totaling $98.5 million (US). Individual loans ranged in size from $200,000 up to $10 million.

The U.S. Ex-Im Bank is an independent federal government agency that seeks to increase employment in the United States by providing assistance to U.S. exporters in the form of loans, guarantees and export credit insurance. In fiscal year 2001, Ex-Im Bank authorized financing to support approximately $12.5 billion of U.S. exports worldwide.

Stanley Works To Change Place Of Incorporation To Bermuda

The Stanley Works announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved a plan to modify Stanley's corporate structure so that the company's place of incorporation will be changed from Connecticut to Bermuda. Under the plan, The Stanley Works, Ltd., a newly formed Bermuda corporation, will become the parent company of The Stanley Works. The proposal is subject to approval by two-thirds of the company's shareowners at its annual meeting in April.

The Stanley Works, an S&P 500 company, is a worldwide supplier of tools and doors and related hardware products for professional, industrial and consumer use.

For more information visit the Stanley Works web site at http://www.stanleyworks.com

Transportation Strategy Board Releases Report On Initial Transportation Strategy

The Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board (TSB) formally submitted its initial transportation strategy report to the Governor and General Assembly. The TSB's report focuses on statewide goals, preliminary financial projections, funding options and next steps. The report also included a review of projects outlined in Section 16 of the enacting legislation (PA 01-5, June Special Session) and the plans submitted to the Board by each of the five Transportation Investment Areas (TIAs). Copies of the Initial Transportation Strategy Report are available from the TSB's web site www.tsb.state.ct.us.

New UPS Supply Chain Solutions Links Logistics, Freight and Financial Services

UPS announced UPS Supply Chain Solutions, a streamlined organization that combines the sales, marketing, finance and technology resources for its supply chain subsidiaries.

The new organization will make it easier for customers to access UPS's expanding range of logistics, freight, financial and consulting services in order to improve the performance of their global supply chains.

UPS is the world's largest transportation company, offering the most extensive range of e-commerce and supply chain solutions for the movement of goods, information and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., in the United States, UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories. UPS's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (UPS) and the company can be found on the Web at www.ups.com.

Miller Marine Opens Office in New Haven

Miller Marine Services Inc. of Port Jefferson, NY opened a new branch office in New Haven, CT this year in order to supply additional services at Connecticut deep water ports. In addition to pilot boat service, Miller provides merchant support for launch service, ships spares, stores, fresh water deliveries, OPA 90 Average Most Probable Discharge coverage along with marine construction, both surface and underwater commercial diving support. Certainly, when we began over 30 years ago providing terminal booming and oil spill response.

According to Hank Wawryck, port captain for Miller Marine Service, "New Haven is our newest branch office. We are committed to New Haven, as a priority in extending our available services to our existing customers and to new customers. Doing this as in the past by addressing their needs to the highest level of quality and cost effectiveness as possible. It has worked in our other ports of operations for over 30 years, our goal is to make it work there in New Haven as well."
DECD Commissioner James Abromaitis signs a landmark agreement for the nation's first export promotion partnership between a state and the federal government. The agreement was also signed by Connecticut Lt. Gov. M. Jodi Rell, and Bruce W. Blakeman, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Domestic Operations, USDOC.

Feds Partner with State to Provide Export Assistance

Connecticut Partners with Commerce Department To Launch
Ground-Breaking Cooperative Assistance Program for Export-Ready Companies.

Lieutenant Governor M. Jodi Rell announced on Tuesday that the
Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has formed a unique partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC), through its Connecticut Export Assistance Center, to make it easier for Connecticut's small and medium-sized firms to export their products worldwide.

The innovative program is designed to help qualified Connecticut businesses with export-ready products to compete successfully in the global marketplace. Connecticut suppliers will receive personalized assistance to link their U.S.-made products and services with foreign importers/buyers, including agents, distributors, and users. DECD, working with the USDOC, will assist eligible companies to obtain cost-effective access to a wide variety of USDOC services such as BuyUSA.com, Gold Key Services, Commercial News USA, International Partners Search, Flexible Market Research, and the Matchmaker Program. Companies will also have access to the USDOC's extensive network of commercial staff in U.S. Embassies and Consulates in 90 countries, for a total of approximately 160 locations overseas.

Pictured, from left,
Cecil Ursprung,
Lou Auletta Sr., and Jim Scott.
About 75 people attended an Export seminar at Central Connecticut State
University in New Britain.

Export Seminar Provides International Business Tips

About 75 people attended an Export seminar on Monday, Jan. 28 hosted by Congresswoman Nancy L. Johnson and the Institute for Industrial and Engineering Technology (IIET) at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain. A panel featuring Cecil Ursprung, CEO of Reflexite Corp.; Jim Scott, president of security and safety solutions for the Locknetics division of Ingersoll-Rand in Forestville Conn; and Lou Auletta, international trade consultant; focused on "Overcoming Obstacles to Exporting. A second panel on "Support Services and Funding Sources" included Carl Jacobsen, director of the U.S Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center in Middletown; Costas Lake, director of international for the Connecticut Dept. of Economic and Community Development; Dawn Rodriguez, vice president of global trade for FleetBoston Financial; and Ray Snyder quality systems specialist for CONNSTEP.

DECD Official Addresses the 25th Annual National Black Caucus of State Legislators Conference in Atlanta

James Nicholas, director of Africa and Trade Marketing for the State of Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development (DEC), addressed a group of state legislators and business executives at the 25th Annual National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) in Atlanta in January. Former United Nations Ambassador, the Honorable Andrew Young also spoke at the Forum. a presentation at the International Forum entitled "Africa, Opportunity or Not?," Nicholas highlighted he economic impact of the Sept. 11, World Trade Center disaster on U.S.-Africa affairs.

Transportation Strategy Board Submits Report to State Legislature

The Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board, headed by R. Nelson Griebel, President of the MetroHartford Regional Economic Alliance, has completed an Initial Strategy Report and will continue working on a final report for completion by the end of 2002. More information about the TSB is available online by clicking here. (link to)
http://www.opm.state.ct.us/igp/TSB/RECOM_TSB.doc

CWTA Plans World Trade Centers Association Day Event on
June 12

The Connecticut World Trade Center Association is planning a June 12 breakfast event in Bridgeport to celebrate the first-ever World Trade Centers Association Day. During the meeting, a CWTA member who best exemplifies the World Trade Centers Association vision of "peace and stability through trade" will be honored. The CWTA event is part of a worldwide initiative involving 302 world trade centers in 91 countries.

Plans are underway for special events throughout the world, and national and local governments will issue proclamations that recognize the contributions of world trade centers in their respective regions. More details about the CWTA event may be obtained by sending email to nickcwta@aol.com or by visiting the CWTA's Web site at www.portconnecticut.com/cwta.html

UTC's Ruth Harkin To Speak at CT World Business Luncheon on June 5

Ruth Harkin, Senior Vice President, International Affairs and Government Relations at United Technologies, will be the keynote speaker at the CT World Business 2002 luncheon on June 5 at the Grassy Hill Country Clubin Orange. In addition, winners of the Connecticut Exporter of the Year and Service to Export Awards will be honored during the luncheon.

Registration will begin at 11:30 a.m. with the event scheduled to begin
promptly at 11:45. The annual World Business event is sponsored by the CT District Export Council. Registration is $30 per person and the
reservations must be made by May 25. To register or for more
information, please contact the Export Assistance Center at

More than 300 People Attend Africa Business Roundtable and Town Hall Meeting

On February 21 and 22, 2002; more than 300 people, including local and state political and business leaders, participated in a gala welcoming reception, an African Business Roundtable, and a Town Hall Meeting in Hartford, CT on February 21 and 22, 2002 organized by the Constituency for Africa (CFA) and the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).

The program, "Integrating Africa into the Global Economy," explored opportunities for increased two-way trade and investment with Africa within the framework of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), with a particular focus on the involvement of U.S. and African small business enterprises. DECD Commissioner James F. Abromaitis opened the Business Roundtable and presented an official statement from Governor John G. Rowland proclaiming February 22, 2002, as "Africa-Connecticut Business Day."

At the end of the two-day session, CFA and DECD agreed to jointly identify 25 small businesses for participation in CFA's ATRIP Program. CFA was awarded a grant by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in support of USAID's Africa Trade and Investment Program (ATRIP). Under the direction of Jacques Walker, CFA Director for ATRIP, CFA is focusing its efforts on strengthening the U.S.-Africa trade and investment relationship by focusing on the three central themes of ATRIP-(1) African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Implementation; (2) Trade and Investment Policy Reform; and (3) Business Linkages. CFA and DECD will work with selected Connecticut firms to facilitate linkages with African companies.
860-638-6950.

District Export Council to Meet on Feb. 28

The CT District Export Council will hold a Plenary meeting on Thursday, February 28, 2002 , from 10 a.m. to 11:30 am, in the 2nd Floor Conference Room, 213 Court St., in Middletown. This is the same building in which the U.S. Department of Commerce office is located. For more information, call the Commerce Department at 860-638-6950.

Export Seminar Set for Monday, Jan. 28

Congresswoman Nancy L. Johnson and the Institute for Industrial and Engineering Technology (IIET) at Central Connecticut State University will host an Export seminar on Monday, Jan. 28 from 8:15 to 11 a.m. at IIET in New Britain. Panels will discuss "Overcoming Obstacles to Exporting" and "Support Services and Funding Sources."

For more information, call Terri Wilson at 860-223-8412 or send email to terri.wilson@mail.house.gov

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