The calendar year 2022 may be ending but we are not stopping. The August newsletter reported on our outcomes for the Fiscal Year July 1- June 30, 2022. In the period since, from July to November, we assisted 91 individual companies, follow ups not included. Thanks to pent up demand for in-person attendance at international trade shows combined with digital and hybrid conferencing, 2,124 people participated in our events or our exhibitions at international events during this reporting period. During the last two weeks, we participated in both the EXIM Bank REPP meetings, the Annual Meeting, and sideline events for the Africa Leaders’ Summit. In Washington, I was interviewed by the EXIM Education and Outreach staff for a series of videos they are making and by Wendy Pease for the Global Marketing Show. We met in Washington and Delaware with officials from Botswana and Ghana to outline next steps to further facilitate relationships for collaboration and trade between Delaware and these countries.
Currently, we are making plans to take Delaware companies with us to the World Trade Centers Association General Assembly and Exhibition in April 23-28 to be hosted by WTC Accra, Ghana. This is an opportunity for Delaware companies to reach businesses from almost 100 countries. The General Assembly will include an Exhibition and matchmaking sessions, and infrastructure, culture and wildlife tours of the region that includes Accra. Primary sectors include Agriculture & Fishing, Mining, Power & Energy, Water. Secondary sectors are Food Processing, Manufacturing, Building and Construction (Real Estate). Banking & Finance, Retailing, Information & Communication Technology (ICT) make up the tertiary sectors.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW FOR DELAWARE COMPANIES THAT WISH TO BE PART OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER DELAWARE DELEGATION.
After you register with the link above, you will receive an email with next steps to complete a separate B2B intake form.
In June, we will return to the US-Africa Business Summit where we have taken or represented Delaware companies for several years. Companies that have exhibited with us found this venue to be very successful in reaching specific African markets. We continue to provide referrals for participants we met with Delaware companies who can provide products or services. For example, as a result of this year’s Summit, we hosted delegations from Morocco and Botswana. Many of you may have had an opportunity to meet with these delegations during their visit to companies and academic institutions or during the Gala. Registration information for both trips and preparatory meetings and webinars is coming soon, so please check your in box for details.
Our latest issue of International Delaware, focusing on Delaware’s tourism and hospitality industry, was released on December 6 as a supplement to Delaware Business Times. Thank you to all the sponsors who made this issue possible. To read this edition, please click on the magazine below.
On behalf of everyone at the World Trade Center Delaware, thank you for your continued support. We look forward to a very productive and busy 2023.
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Carla Sydney Stone
President
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5 MOST POPULAR WINTER HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD |
There are many holidays around the world. The cold months of December and January are clearly a popular time for parties and celebrations. It is a time to spend with family, usher out bad luck from the old year and usher in new year blessings and prosperity for the year to come. This list of 5 most popular winter holidays from around the world will introduce you to beautiful traditions and celebrations that take place all over the globe. All pose opportunities for interesting and real-life lessons in culture, history, and religion. |
1. Hanukkah (12/18/22-12/26/22)
Hanukkah is the Hebrew word for “dedication”. This celebration takes place over eight days. Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. According to the Talmud, an important Jewish text, those participating in the rededication of the second temple witnessed a miracle. Although there was only enough oil to keep the menorah’s candles burning for a single day, the flames continued to burn for eight nights. As a result, the Hanukkah celebration revolves around lighting candles on a 9-branch menorah. Traditional Hanukkah food is also fried in oil. Other Hanukkah traditions include exchanging gifts and playing with dreidels. Hanukkah starts on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev, which usually falls sometime in November and December.
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2. Bodhi Day (12/8/22 and 12/30/22)
There are two Bodhi Days each year. The first Bodhi Days, celebrated on a fixed date in much of the Western World and Japan, is December 8. the other Bodhi Day is based on the lunar calendar so, the date changes year to year. This year is December 30, 2022.
Bodhi Day is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, achieved enlightenment through meditation. The word Bodhi means awakening or enlightenment. Traditions for the day vary, but can include meditation, a traditional meal, and study of the Dharma. The celebration focuses more on the ways of enlightenment than other traditional celebrations. Some eat tea and cookies or decorate a bodhi tree while others meditate on the life of Buddha and visit shrines (stupas).
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3. Christmas (12/25/22)
Traditionally, Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birth. However, it has also become a commercial holiday full of gifts, decorations, Christmas trees, wreaths, cookies, and celebrations. Many people who are not Christians also celebrate Christmas as a time to enjoy with loved ones and exchange gifts. Christmas is celebrated around much of the world. Although the exact dates of when the celebrations begin and end vary by country and culture, December 25th is regarded as Christmas on most calendars.
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4. New Year (1/1/23)
The new year is one of the biggest and most popular holidays around the world. For most, the New Year celebration is beginning on December 31st as they count down to the end of the calendar year and celebrate the beginning of a new one. The main tradition for New Year’s around the world is to stay up until the clock strikes midnight to welcome in the new year. Other common traditions are making resolutions for the new year and setting off fireworks. This is a way for people to set goals that will guarantee that the upcoming year is more successful than the last.
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5. Chinese New Year (1/21/23-1/27/23)
The Chinese New Year is a 15-day festival celebrated in China and Chinese communities around the world. There is no set date for the Chinese New Year because it is based on the lunar calendar, but the celebration usually take place in late January up until mid-February. On top of ringing in a new year, this holiday also showcases the Chinese Zodiac signs. Each year is represented by a different animal. 2023 is the year of the rabbit, which is a symbol of fecundity and plenty. Red is viewed as a lucky color, so you can see tons of red decorations and red Chinese New Year cards. This holiday is one of the most important celebrations in Asia, which means lots of people travel to enjoy a relaxing vacation or visit with loved ones. Some people believe that the Chinese New Year is the busiest travel date in the world. It is a time to spend with family by making and having a lot of food together. it strengthens family bonds.
By Hanwool Jang - WTC Delaware Research & Trade Information Intern
References
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
WTCDE Premier Members
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Port to Port International Corporation |
We are happy to have Port to Port International as a renewing Premier Member!
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Welcome to Our New Member |
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TUNGSTEN GLOBAL CONSULTING INC. |
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Tungsten Global Consulting (TGC) Inc is a network of professionals and leaders who thrive on crafting unique solutions to complex business challenges. For the past 10 years, TGC has been providing science-guided technical advice and equipment to research and laboratory facilities in West Africa. These programs supported the development of sustainable healthcare, agriculture, water and food-safety systems. For the year 2023, TGC intends to focus on growing its domestic market by working with 1) laboratory equipment and supplies manufacturers 2) agriculture development companies and 3) commodity traders interested in Peanuts, Cashew, and other tree nuts. What makes TGC unique is its ability to bring business leaders, solve complex problems and most importantly, help access funding to acquire critical equipment and supplies.
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Thanks to Our Renewing Member |
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Triad Associates' multi-disciplined professional Team has a passion for helping communities thrive. Triad Associates is committed to identifying solutions that promote revitalization and growth while improving the quality of life for residents. Triad offers a wide range of services that transform community visions into viable projects. Triad has a proven track record of leveraging Billions of dollars in funding to implement these projects.
Our Services:
- Grant Writing
- Community Development
- Neighborhood & Economic Strategies
- Redevelopment Solutions
- Implementation Services
- Affordable Housing
- Abandoned Housing
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WHAT COMPANIES ARE SAYING ABOUT WTC DELAWARE |
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"While we value knowledge as powerful, connections and relationships are needed to drive and influence business. The event today (EXIM Annual Training Program - 6/22/2022) offered both. Thank you to the WTC team."
Dr. Gaylord C. Neal III, Ph.D.
Managing Partner - Chief Revenue and Relationship Officer
MyQme LLC, dba: Qme Spotlight Ecosystem
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MCC Worldwide to Build a Multi-Commodity Center at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport In Gaborone, Botswana |
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US-based MCC Worldwide has signed a long-term MOU in Wilmington, Delaware to enter into a 99-year lease agreement with the Ministry of Entrepreneurship Botswana, the Special Economic Zones Authority, Botswana (“SEZA”), and the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (“CAAB”), to develop 371 acres (150 hectares) for an MCC Worldwide Free Trade Hub Zone with direct flight line access. MCC Worldwide will be the economic engine to spur development at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport’s, Airport City, stimulating trade to and from Africa. Leading the effort with the Government of Botswana is George Kearns, Chairman and CEO of MCC Worldwide. He said that this will give a tremendous boost to Botswana’s logistics industry resulting in increased trade. “The first phase of this project is estimated to be $800 million.”
In a visit to Delaware on December 20th, a member of the Republic of Botswana’s trade mission to Delaware expressed its appreciation for “the extraordinary job WTC Delaware did for them during their visit in November, “said George Kearns, who also serves as Vice Chairman of World Trade Center Delaware. “It created an opportunity for the delegation to understand the advantages Delaware offers to international business.” Their visits ranged from the Port of Wilmington, the Wilmington Airport and Flight Safety International to numerous departments at Delaware Technical Community College, Delaware State University and UD’s STAR campus, and meetings with the Delaware Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock, and business leaders. The Gala provided another opportunity for them to meet U.S. Senator Tom Carper, U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, Delaware’s Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long and many others in a wide variety of sectors. Mr. Kearns added that “The trip was very productive and they have been conducting follow up meetings with organizations they met.”
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USDA Accepting Applications for Panama Agribusiness Trade Mission
WASHINGTON, December 12, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service is accepting applications from U.S. exporters for a regional trade mission to Panama from March 19-23, 2023.
“Panama is the economic, financial, and logistics and transport hub for Central America and this trade mission will provide us with an exciting opportunity to expand our growing presence across the region,” said FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley. “This is a perfect time to increase U.S. agricultural and food exports to Central America, where the rising incomes and a growing middle class in Central America are driving demand for consumer-oriented products and more.”
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WTC Delaware provides a full range of international trade-related services with an in-depth focus on export/import of services and manufactured goods. These pages contain brief information on opportunities that could offer exciting possibilities for U.S. companies in a variety of industry sectors
FOSSIL ENERGY
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NIGERIA: Partnership w/OEMs for LPG process equipment, fiberglass LPG cylinders, and steel
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BRAZIL: Petrobras' Divestment Program—onshore, offshore and downstream assets and Oil Exploration Open Acreage Opportunities
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INDIA: Technical/Business Collaboration for Manufacturing of Pressure Vessels, Heat Exchanger, Coke Drums
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Jan 6
Jan 9
Jan 10
Jan 12
Feb 6
Feb 8
Feb 9
SAVE the DATE - Doing Business in South America
Feb 16
May 8-11
May 8-17
May 18 2023
SAVE the DATE: Expanding the World of Exports - Developing a New Community of Exporters
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The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation (KNF) is a non-profit educational organization that invites students and visitors to explore the cultural and maritime heritage of Delaware and its enduring ties to Sweden and Finland. KNF is a volunteer-based organization that built, owns, and operates Kalmar Nyckel from our homeport of Wilmington, Delaware. The ship serves as a floating classroom and an inspirational platform for educational programs that reach more than 30,000 people each year.
Launched in 1997, Kalmar Nyckel is the official Tall Ship of Delaware and a recognizable icon for its home state. Our ship serves as a catalyst for educational, social, and economic development in Delaware and beyond.
As a non-profit educational organization, KNF offers people of all ages and backgrounds a variety of sea- and land-based recreational and educational experiences. While we voyage throughout the Mid-Atlantic from Virginia to New England each season, today’s ship resides at our stunning Copeland Maritime Center campus on Wilmington’s historic riverfront – just 200 yards from Fort Christina National Historic Landmark and the original ship’s landing site at “The Rocks” in 1638.
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MEMBER RATES:
STANDARD - $475 (1-49 employees), $825 (50-99 employees), $1,375 (100+ employees)
PREMIER - $2,675
STUDENT - $100
Email us to learn how you can become a member!
If you are a current member of WTC Delaware, please be sure to post the WTC Delaware logo on your web page and link it to our website. Let the world know you are part of a global community!
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INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIP |
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Are You Ready to Export? Asses Your Export Readiness
Are you looking to grow your business through exporting? Assess your company’s readiness to enter your first markets, expand into additional markets, or take on more challenging, high-growth export markets.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYERS AND JOB SEEKERS
Weekly International Job Posts: The latest 300 job opportunities posted on DevelopmentAid
To view all the up-to-date jobs, please click the link below:
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World Trade Center® Delaware is the State’s premier international business resource. We help companies, especially small, medium-sized and emerging enterprises, to grow their international business. We provide trade leads, training programs, job leads, networking, matchmaking, trade mission and reverse trade mission opportunities for Delaware companies. We serve all types of companies in various sectors including agriculture, environmental remediation, IT, medical equipment manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, financial, legal and real estate services. For more information visit us at www.wtcde.com.
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World Trade Center Delaware
42 Reads Way, Suite B
New Castle, DE 19720
ph: 302-656-7905
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Copyright © 2022. All Rights Reserved. |
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