Looking for a New Export Market? Remember: China Matters

Pete CodellaNews

 Governor Gary R. Herbert presents the first-of-its-kind Utah Global Forum (UGF) this Wednesday, Sept. 24 in the Salt Palace, Grand Ballroom, where Utah businesses can launch their company into the exporting ecosystem. Business leaders who want to attend should not lose any more time and register now. Registration is still open but is limited.

One of the forum’s featured speakers is Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for China, Craig Allen, who will explain why China matters for Utah companies considering taking their company global or considering expansion of export markets.

In his current position with the International Trade Administration (ITA), Allen promotes economic relations between the U.S. and China. His experience in doing business in Asian countries is supplemented by his education in Asian studies and 27 years of living in Asia. With his unique insight, Allen will outline the demographics of the Chinese population and will then address the opportunities and challenges the United States has when trying to enter the marketplace.

Allen has worked for the Department of Commerce ITA since 1985. During this time, he’s held the positions of international economist in the ITA China Office, director of the American Trade Center in Taipei, commerical attaché in Beijing and Tokyo and deputy senior commercial officer.

In 2000, Allen began his two year tour of duty at the National Center for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Organization (APEC) in Seattle where he worked on the APEC Summits in Brunei, China and Mexico.

After his completion of his tour of duty at APEC, Allen served a three year tour of duty as senior commercial officer at the U.S. Mission to China, managing all 126 Department of Commerce (DOC) staff members from multiple DOC agencies.

Any company with an intent in growing or starting their firm in exporting must attend the Utah Global Forum, presented by Governor Gary R. Herbert. UGF is Utah’s premiere international event organized to connect Utah business owners, leadership, sales and marketing professionals with individuals and companies who already have a strong presence in the exporting ecosystem.

The event will attract a broad domestic and international business audience that attendees and sponsors can connect with to create the necessary contacts to export more efficiently and economically to the global marketplace.

The UGF is being produced in conjunction with World Trade Center Utah, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the Salt Lake Chamber and a host of sponsors. To register, visit utahglobalforum.com.

Read more about the recent Utah delegation’s trade mission to China here.