International Services for Idaho Companies
The International Business Division provides many services to Idaho companies that are interested in global expansion. Idaho’s trade specialists offer market research assistance and counseling to companies with interest in exporting. Companies are also encouraged to make use of Idaho’s trade offices in several foreign countries to receive market specific guidance. The trade managers visit Idaho several times a year and often attend or organize trade workshops and seminars. In addition, the International Business Division offers support at trade shows, trade missions and incoming buying delegations.
Please follow links for more information on each service:
Companies export products and expand market share through personalized on-site counseling and support provided by Idaho's trade specialists. Idaho's trade office managers visit the state each year and offer country-specific guidance and trade advice to local businesses.
Contact us to setup an appointment: International Business Divsion (p): 208.334.2470 (e) laurie.zuckerman@trade.idaho.gov
Learn more about exporting products abroad through international trade workshops and seminars. Specific topics include:
- International market trends
- Export documentation and license compliance
- Export financing
- International trade laws and regulations
Governor-led trade missions are ideal venues for Idaho firms to attract investments, meet valuable business partners and close significant deals.
A trade mission consists of:
- Market briefings
- Individualized itineraries in each city
- Logistical assistance
- Valued Partner Awards
Past Trade Missions
Governor's Trade Mission to Asia
Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter led 16 Idaho companies on a trade mission October 11 - 22, 2008 to Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam and Taiwan. The Idaho Department of Commerce, the Idaho Department of Agriculture, and trade office managers from Taiwan and China supported the 16 companies on the mission by providing customized itineraries, on-the-ground assistance and protocol support. Industries represented by the 16 companies were agriculture, food processing, mining, technology, health and beauty, higher education and manufacturing.
Governor’s Trade Mission to Mexico
Governor and First Lady Otter led twenty-nine business and industry leaders to Mexico April 19 - 26, 2008. Expected sales are approximated at $2 million as a direct outcome of the trade mission.
Governor’s Trade Mission to China
Governor and First Lady Otter led twenty-five participants from 16 companies to China October 27 - November 6, 2007. A conservative estimate of expected sales as a result of the trade mission is approximately $1.5 million.
Trade shows are a great way to increase company exposure and develop international trade leads. At selected shows, company products and services can be displayed at an Idaho Department of Commerce trade booth. Furthermore, companies can be represented in an Idaho Product and Services brochure at no cost. This material is distributed by a member of the department, and trade leads can be forwarded to the participating firms.
Trade shows:
- Increase company exposure
- Develop professional networking
- Offer opportunities to improve skills and knowledge
- Increase investment exposure
- Develop international trade leads
Find new markets for products and services without the initial expense of international travel when government officials and business delegations from around the world visit Idaho’s key industry sectors.
Previous Visits
- Mexican Lumber Delegation Visit, April 2009
A six-person delegation of lumber buyers visited Idaho in April 2009 to explore business opportunities in the state. Members of the delegation included the executive director of the Mexican National Association of Importers and Exporters of Forestry Products (IMEXFOR) and five representatives from prominent Mexican lumber importing companies. This was an excellent opportunity for Idaho’s lumber-related manufacturers and service providers to build relationships with the representatives of some of Mexico’s largest lumber importing companies.
Highlights and preliminary results:
- The Idaho Department of Commerce partnered with the Idaho Forest Products Commission (IFPC) and a consultancy, Affiliated Timber Investment Conversion Advisors (ATICA), to arrange visits with Idaho wood products companies and mills throughout the state.
- Several Idaho mills and wood products companies have confirmed sales of 10 carloads or a minimum of 900,000 board feet of lumber since April. More orders are expected.
- Mexican Mining Delegation Visit 25 - 27 September, 2008
Mexican mining company representatives from Grupo México, Grupo Jomargo and Reyna Mining returned to Idaho with Aaron Davis, trade specialist, after MINExpo 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada, to participate in site visits to Idaho companies and to engage in other networking activities. This was an excellent opportunity for Idaho’s mining-related equipment manufacturers and service providers to build relationships with the representatives of some of Mexico’s largest mines and mining companies. Thursday’s (25 September) activities were centered around the Boise area, and Friday (26 September) the group traveled to northern Idaho to engage with companies located in the Coeur d’ Alene area. The Mexican mining delegation was a direct result of Governor Otter’s April 2008 trade mission to Mexico where several of Idaho’s mining-related equipment manufacturers and service providers met with some of Mexico’s most powerful and influential mines. Highlights of the delegation's visit include:
- Attended six presentations of Idaho's mining - related companies
- Networking dinner with representatives from seven Idaho companies
- Delegation met briefly with Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter
- Site visits to two Idaho mining-related equipment manufacturers and service providers in Boise and three in Coeur d’Alene
- Heilongjiang Delegation Visit - 15 - 17 September, 2008
The Heilongjiang Delegation visit was a result of the 2007 Governor’s trade mission to China. A conservative estimate of expected sales as a result of the trade mission was $1.5 million. This recent follow-up visit by the Heilongjiang delegation is anticipated to increase the estimated sales figure. During their stay in Idaho the delegation's focus was on furthering relationships with the State of Idaho and Idaho companies while learning more about Idaho agriculture – particularly best practices, technology and equipment. Some of the events included:
- Chairman Wang of the Heilongjiang Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Director Donald Dietrich of the Idaho Department of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate closer economic relations
- Attended presentations presented by the Idaho Department of Agriculture, the Division of Tourism and International Business within the Idaho Department of Commerce
- Site visits to agricultural equipment companies in Caldwell and Burley, Idaho
- Idaho Israel Business Summit - 1 April – 3 April, 2008
Israel is an important trade partner to Idaho and has been one of Idaho’s Top 20 export markets for over a decade with more than $19 million worth of goods exported to Israel in 2007. The summit was a result of trade history and two key visits by Israeli Consulate representatives in 2006: the Israeli Consul General David Akov in San Francisco and Sherwin Pomerantz, president of EDI, an Israeli consultancy focusing on Israeli trade. A delegation of Israeli investors, business officials and government officials traveled to Idaho as part of the Summit. The common goal and focus of the summit was to create an ongoing and prosperous relationship between Idaho and Israel. Key aspects of the Summit include:
- Green technology was the focus of the seminar, with an emphasis on agriculture, nutrition/life sciences, water conservation, irrigation, energy and environmental cleanup/monitoring
- Teleconference meeting with several Israeli companies
- Presentations were presented by Israeli green technology companies
- Featured speakers Mr. Shai Aizen, Economic Consul of Israel, and Mr. Sherwin Pomerantz gave the attendees an overview of Israel including commercial business and Israeli market opportunities
- Companies made and attended appointments to speak with Mr. Sherwin Pomerantz