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The International Trade Partnership Program (ITPP) has been established to promote increased international trade and international investment between the Chicago-Cook County region of the U.S. and selected Partner Regions around the world. Its mission is to promote bilateral trade and to provide a linkage service between overseas firms and local firms.
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Mission
The purpose of the ITPP is to facilitate global trade for Chicago-Cook County businesses by establishing institutional and private sector relationships in targeted foreign regions/markets and using those relationships, and the information gathered as a result of those relationships, to assist businesses in expanding into new markets. These partnerships are designed to encourage bilateral and reciprocal trade initiatives. The product of the program is a series of regional dossiers that include market intelligence, key institutional contacts, and reports on specific business assistance cases handled.
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Background
Since 1991, the CCBC has developed and implemented a gradually expanding international trade program, well beyond the administration of its marketing program and the normal provision of its business services, available to both domestic and foreign companies since the establishment of the CCBC. The CCBC has particular strengths in its ability to gather and disseminate intelligence (market research, economic and sectoral trends, industry contacts) and to identify and bring together institutional resources and international counterparts. These key data, contacts and linkages are extremely valuable commodities for companies planning to expand into new markets.
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Marketing Strategy
The ITPP promotion strategy is integrated with the general marketing plan to retain and expand existing business and attract new business to Chicago-Cook County, including trade show blitzing and exhibiting; advertising; event planning; and publishing. Participation in target industry trade shows is planned to promote the ITPP each year. Pre-show planning strategies are deployed at each trade show and business conferences and may involve targeting and assisting certain sectors and companies.
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Partner Regions
Trade partnership agreements executed with Partner Regions include:
Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy
County Cork, Republic of Ireland and County Down, Northern Ireland.
Other strategic regions under development for partnership include:
Australia (manufacturing/strategic alliances)
Belgium (appliances, food processing)
Qingdao, China (manufacturing/strategic alliances/professional/governmental exchange)
Azuay, Ecuador (manufacturing/strategic alliances/professional/governmental exchange)
New Delhi, India (telecommunications, electrical equipment, food processing)
Lazio (Rome) Region (IT, communications and media); Meccano (Ancona)/Marche Region (metal stamping and plastic injection molding); Sicily (Palermo) Region (cultural); Veneto (Venice) Region(industrial clusters), Italy
Mexico (food processing, manufacturing)
South Africa (manufacturing, technology)
Gipuzkoa/Basque Region, Spain (machine tools); Barcelona/Catalunya Region(industrial machinery, pharmaceuticals and technology), Spain
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Sector-Specific Partners
Research and technology cooperation agreements have been executed between
the Cagliari (Italy) Industrial Consortium and Consorzio 21 (Sardegna
Research Park) and the Northwestern University/Evanston Research Park and
the Chicago Technology Park. Sector-specific collaborative projects under
development include partnerships with the Rome (Italy) Audio Visual and IT
District, the San Sebastian (Spain) Machine Tools Manufacturers Consortium,
the Associated Builders and Contractors-Northern Illinois, the Chicago
Software Association, the American Electronics Association, the Illinois
Center for Food Safety & Technology, and the Candy Institute.
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Business Services
The ITPP promotes business opportunities by arranging:
- contacts for local businesses wishing to invest or trade in Partner Regions
- contacts for overseas businesses wishing to invest or trade in Chicago-Cook County
- trade visits from Chicago-Cook County to Partner Regions
- for trade visitors from Partner Regions to meet with local companies
- for trade specialists living in our region, or visiting, to speak to local business groups about particular aspects of international trade The ITPP provides access to local and foreign markets by helping with · expedited processing and access to local and foreign governments
- advice on government assistance programs
- introduction to key business executives
- obtaining tax incentives and financing
- workforce recruitment and training
- international strategic alliances
- market research assistance
- joint venturing opportunities
- site selection and expansion assistance The ITPP provides information on
- doing business in Chicago-Cook County and in Partner Regions
- market trends, export/import and demographic statistics
- target industrial clusters and business sectors
- political systems and cultural aspects
- high technology and research infrastructure
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Business Committees
Business committees have been formed to support the ITPP and the companies it assists. The mission of the Business Committee is to promote economic development and trade between businesses in Cook County and businesses in the partner region.
Committees of volunteer business, government and civic leaders are appointed by the President of the Cook County Board to support the ITPP in the work program for designated region foreign markets. The established international partners now include regions in Italy and Ireland.
Specific program activities may include business networking events and meetings, market intelligence gathering, trade delegation co-hosting and organizing, trade show participation, international business matching, and organization of seminars, symposia, and conferences.
The membership of the committee primarily comprises business executives. Other members include educational, civic and government leaders. Appointees share an interest in commerce and institutional relationships in the partner region, and may have specialized knowledge of the foreign market and targeted industry sectors in that region.
One of the positive side effects of these committees has been the creation of a new forum where business opportunities are also generated for their members.
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