Caroline Brown

2016 CA Summit - Enhancing California's Role as a Global Crossroads for Trade and Investment

Michael Klowden, Kevin Klowden, Caroline Brown, Maria Contreras-Sweet, Fred Hochberg, James Villeneuve

A comprehensive overview of California's trade landscape highlights the state's status as a global economic powerhouse where over 40% of U.S. container goods pass, while federal programs like the SBA's STEP and Ex-Im Bank guarantees drive small business export growth with a $17 ROI per dollar invested. The event further details how targeted strategies leveraging immigrant communities and veterans, alongside technical assistance from institutions like Bank of America Merrill Lynch, mitigate financial and logistical risks for emerging exporters. By shifting focus toward clean technology and utilizing bilateral agreements to navigate evolving global dynamics, these initiatives aim to secure California's competitive edge against rivals like China and support the transition from domestic to global market strategies.