Navigating global trade: World Trade Centers boost local economies with trade leads, regulatory help and resources on government requirements

“There are a lot of perceptions, especially when dealing with China,” she said. “In general, people want to know about whatever has been in the news recently. What we spend a lot of time doing is breaking down false expectations.

“We have people come in with incredible ideas, but we really have to break it down for them,” Vivirito said. “One of the things we do is recommend that you establish credible business here before you try to import or export something. You need to establish credit, make a name and reputation for the company. We can guide them through the entire process.”

Check out the PacificShipper for the full story.

Haas School will launch Asia business center

UC-Berkeley's Haas School of Business will launch an Asia Business Center in the fall to build on its historic connections with the Far East and the region's huge influence on the Bay Area economy

Elizabeth Vivirito, a spokeswoman for the Bay Area World Trade Center in Oakland, which provides assistance to local and international businesses engaged in export and import of manufactured good and services, said the Haas center should provide important business, educational and cultural connections between the East Bay and Asia.

From the East Bay Business Times

As US Trade Deficit Narrows, Bay Area Exports Continue to Grow

Oakland, Cal.- December 22, 2007- Bay Area seaports saw their export value grow 31.27% in the third quarter of 2007 from their third quarter 2006 values while imports remained flat. The US deficit on international trade in goods decreased 8.65% over this period, a sign of nationally increasing export levels. Future growth in exports at local ports may be hindered by a shortage of containers in the Midwest, where much of our nation's exported agricultural commodities originate, and infrastructure limitations.

Read full story here.

Oakland works for a World Trade Center

Friday, November 9, 2007

The idea, World Trade organizers said, is to rebrand the Center 21 building under the World Trade Center name, with a sign on top of the building and possibly a new name. Bay Area World Trade Center would take several thousand square feet and try to entice other trade and logistics-related tenants to take leases in the 680,000-square-foot building.

"Putting these services in one building provides a more beneficial environment for trade," said Elizabeth Vivirito, a vice president at Bay Area World Trade Center. "You come out with more partnerships and more fruitful relationships."

Check out the San Francisco Business Times for the full story.

Canadian Opportunities for Tech Companies, Workers

Watch the youtube video here.

Bay Area Exports Up 7.6% in 2nd Quarter

Imports remain flat as Port of Oakland and Bay Area Exports Climb

Oakland, Cal.- September 24, 2007- Bay Area ports saw their export value grow 7.56% in the second quarter of 2007 from their second quarter 2006 values, according to research compiled by the World Institute of Economic Research (WISER) from U.S. Census state data. Bay Area Ports in this research include the Ports of Oakland, Richmond, and San Francisco and Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose International Airports.

Read full story on WISERTrade online.

First Press Conference

For Immediate Release
June 28, 2007
Port of Oakland Truck Tracker Goes Live – Port Launches Hi-Tech Solution for Truck Movement Efficiency to Improve Cargo Visibility in the Port Region and Reduce Congestion and Emissions.

Read on.