Exporting Specialty Crops and the CITD

Candy Hansen-Gage

Director

Fresno Center for Int'l Trade Development

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Mrs. Hansen Gage will discuss how the California Agricultural Export Training Program or "CalAgX" benefits the producers, processors and marketers of California grown or processed specialty crops. This successful program is starting its 5th consecutive year and is offered statewide. Also to be discussed are current agricultural trends, emerging markets, and export services available through the California Centers for International Trade Development.

Exporting Specialty Crops and the CITD

Brooks D. Ohlson

Director

Sacramento Center for Int'l Trade Development

Honorary Consul General for Bulgaria

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California's diversity Central Valley agricultural export sectors are adapting their fruit and nut processing to meet the demands of foreign born and foreign based consumers. Creative export packaging, market sampling and enhanced export marketing can define and identify new sales opportunities in foreign markets.

Global Profile of California Ag Trade

Robert Tse

Deputy Secretary of Trade Development

California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)

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Robert Tse will provide a comprehensive review of California ag exports with a hint of the future derived from USDA's 2010 forecast.

Navigating Asia-Pacific and European Policy Changes in Food and Ag Trade

Paul V. Oliva

Founder and Principal

OlivaGlobal Communications

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Agricultural and food products are getting caught in a "spaghetti bowl" tangle of bilateral trade agreements in Asia-Pacific. Asia-Pac officials are now discussing further rules on food safety, food security, and public health. Meanwhile, Europe is embarking on a grand experiment with paper-free import and export shipments. The rules are changing. What should you know? Will these changes affect your business, and how will you communicate with your customers? Do you have problems you've already experienced with rules changes? Should you tell U.S. trade officials? Paul Oliva has been navigating the changing world of policy issues and will offer provocative insights and interaction regarding policy impacts on your international business.

California's Economic Revival Is Dependent on International Trade

Expansion and Promotion

Assembly member

William W. Monning

27th District

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California’s budget crisis continues to unfold as we face a $20 billion projected deficit through the 2010-11 budget year. This projected deficit comes on top of a $41 billion budget gap last year and a combined $60 billion deficit over the past 18 months. There is not a single program from education to public safety, healthcare, and small business loan protection that has not been impacted. It is precisely because of the recession and global economic crisis that Assemblymember Bill Monning is a supporter of expanding California’s trade promotion and opportunities. 

As the former Director of the International Trade and Commercial Diplomacy Master’s Degree program at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, Assemblymember Monning is well aware of the critical role of international trade to our state and nation’s economy.  In the Central Coast region, agriculture, tourism, and education represent the three biggest employers. Each of these economic drivers is positioned to gain from a more focused campaign to promote California products abroad.