International Trade - Export Development

Contents

• Background
• Information Assistance
• Local Government Activities to Promote International Awareness
• Foreign Trade Zones

Background

A globally competitive community makes a commitment to becoming outward looking and export oriented (From Creating Globally Competitive Communities, ICMA MIS Report v.28 n.11). With the assistance of state, local, and business partners, many local governments are engaged in promoting exports of local products, pursuing sister-city relations, seeking to attract foreign direct investment, conducting cultural and technical exchanges, attracting foreign tourists, advertising their cities and conducting trade missions abroad.

Information Assistance

• Washington Office of Trade and Economic Development International Trade & Development
• International Trade Administration - U.S. Department of Commerce
• International Trade Alliance (Spokane Region)
• Export Assistance - U.S. Dept. of Commerce
• Resources for International Trade via Washington Council on International Trade
• Washington Council on International Trade

Local Government Activities to Promote International Awareness

• Education - The Boomerang Box project  was a partnership of APL, Port of Seattle, Metropolitan King County, private businesses, and schools designed to get K-12 students excited about international trade, help teachers teach about international trade, and bring students into the world of work.
• Sister Cities List for Washington - Sister Cities International 
• World Trade Center of Tacoma (WTCTA)

Foreign Trade Zones

• National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones - an affiliation of public and private entities that advocates the advancement of the U.S. foreign-trade zones program. The NAFTZ provides leadership in the use of the FTZ program to generate U.S.-based economic activity by enhancing global competitiveness. The NAFTZ serves as a resource to assist members in accomplishing their professional responsibilities.
  • What are Foreign Trade Zones? - NAFTZ
  • How have various trade agreements affected the need for the foreign-trade zone program?
• RCW 58.08.030 authorizes a port district may apply to the federal government for permission to establish. operate and maintain a foreign trade zone within its boundaries.
• Washington State Foreign Trade Zones - CTED List of locations and contacts ( 12 KB)
  • Port of Moses Lake Foreign Trade Zone
  • Port of Shelton Foreign Trade Zone

Return to Economic Development Contents Page