MARYLAND OPENS THREE NEW EUROPEAN TRADE OFFICES
New trade offices in U.K., France and Germany will help Maryland companies explore overseas markets, attract foreign companies to the state
BALTIMORE, MD (April 20, 2021) — The Maryland Department of Commerce announced today that it has opened three new international trade offices as part of a continuing effort to expand Maryland’s global footprint. The new offices, in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, will cover several additional European countries and will replace a central European trade office that the Department has had for several years.
“We are excited to open these new offices in Europe, which will further solidify our existing partnerships with these countries, and give us a greater reach into these key markets,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. “Our goal is to not only help our Maryland companies connect with new partners and opportunities in Europe, but also to promote the state as an ideal location for European companies looking to establish a U.S. presence.”
The new international locations will be joining a network of Maryland’s existing foreign trade offices in Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, Taiwan, and United Arab Emirates. Commerce was able to open these three new offices with existing budget resources, and all three offices will be compensated based only on actual services provided to Commerce and Maryland companies.
“Maryland Commerce’s foreign office representatives were very efficient and timely in their services and performed a partner search that I could not have done on my own,” said Gill Grady, senior vice president of GSE, a simulation company in Sykesville. “Their match-making service introduced me to half a dozen potential partners and a few possible end users of my products. Exporting and finding new markets is key, so the ability to leverage our localized content with Commerce’s assistance has a direct and positive impact to the company’s bottom line.”
Through the Department’s FlexEx Program, Maryland companies can receive up to 20 hours of assistance per year from trade experts around the globe, including networking opportunities, export strategy, and helping navigate local regulations and laws to make it easier to do business. All companies eligible for this program must be registered in Maryland and in good standing; services are also available to local government and nonprofits. For more information, contact Deb Defazio at debra.defazio@maryland.gov or visit our website.
About Maryland Commerce
The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State’s many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit commerce.maryland.gov.
