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Contributing to the Global Economy
 The Vermont Chamber's International Trade Program
Exporter of the Year
Impact Analysis, the International Trade Newsletter of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce
Other Missions
Where to Stay in Asia
For More Information
International Trade Information and Resources
Study in Vermont
The Vermont Chamber's international trade program, initiated six years ago, has developed into a full time, ongoing program with its own Vice President of International Trade, Curtis Picard, who is responsible for an international trade assistance program promoting Vermont's products and services to China, Taiwan and the Pacific Rim.
 Below right: Curtis Picard, Vermont Chamber Vice President of International Trade
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce maintains two offices overseas, one in Shanghai, China, and one in Taipei, Taiwan.
Vermont Chamber's Offices In Taiwan and Shanghai, China
The Vermont Chamber has developed strong relationships with U.S., Chinese, and Taiwan government officials, business executives and education leaders through a series of trade missions to Asia. Currently, Vermont is the only state Chamber of Commerce in the nation with permanent trade offices in Shanghai, China, and Taipei, Taiwan.
The office was established in 1998 to increase the visibility and sales of Vermont products and services, and serves as a central resource for marketing, research , sales leads, and a multi-purpose resource for Vermont businesses wishing to do business in Taiwan. The Chamber also has a full-time staff person, Jill Chen, who is the managing director of the Chamber's International Trade Office in Taipei.
 Below left:Jill Chen, Vermont Chamber of Commerce Managing Director Of International Trade, Taipei.
Jill Chen grew up in Taipei and received her Bachelors degee in marketing from Fu-Jen University. She also studied for a year and a half in Houston, TX where she received her MBA in 2002. Prior to working with the Vermont Chamber, Jill was a product manager for Aurora Group, manufacturing
and marketing automated office machines. She also worked for kkman.com, developing a browser for both WWW and Bulletin Board Systems (BBS).
In October of 2004, the Vermont Chamber also opened a second international trade office in Shanghai, China. Former Vermont Chamber President Chris Barbieri runs the office as the Vermont Chamber International Trade Liaison.
 Below right:Chris Barbieri, Vermont Chamber of Commerce International Trade Liaison.
The Vermont Chamber trade offices are established under contract with Granco International, a multi-national trading firm owned by Nelson Lo. Granco International has offices in Taipei, Taiwan; Shanghai, Xiamen and Shenzhen, China; Bangkok, Thailand; and Hong Kong. The Vermont International Trade Office is staffed by individuals fluent in various Chinese dialects, experts in business practices in East Asia and in the multitude of issues related to international trade between North America and Asia. Their principal responsibility is to assist Vermont companies to succeed in the Asian marketplace.
Opportunities
The Vermont Chamber organizes a variety of programs throughout the year to educate and assist the business community.
The Vermont Chamber has helped coordinate the International Trade Event at the Vermont Business and Industry EXPO. EXPO 2004 featured US Ambassador to Canada Paul Cellucci. We have also organized a number of trade missions to China and Taiwan, led by Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie, former Governor Howard Dean, for Lieutenant Governor Barbara Snelling, and Senator Jim Jeffords.
In addition, an advisory group of Chamber members (Vermont International Business Council) meets monthly to provide input and expertise on our international trade program.
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce Fee For Service Program
For more information, please download our Vermont Chamber International Services Summary.
Each May, the Vermont International Business Council honors a Chamber Member with the annual Exporter of the Year Award. The award ceremony is held during the international trade event, part of the Vermont Chamber's Business and Industry EXPO.
Past winners include:
Sonnax, Bellows Falls (2005)
LeCOUNT, White River Junction (2004)
Tubbs Snowshoes, Stowe (2003)
Rock of Ages, Quarry Division, Barre (2002)
St. Michael's School of International Studies, Winooski (2001)
Fab-Tech, Inc., Colchester (2000)
Mad River Canoe, Waitsfield (1999)
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Waterbury (1998)
Advent Hill International Development Group, Hartland (1997)
For more information on the Exporter of the Year Award or the International Trade Event, please contact Curtis Picard.
Impact Analysis is a look at important international trade issues and they affect Vermont.
September 2005 Four Reforms to Regain U.S. Leadership in Economic Freedom * Do U.S. Manufacturers Who Establish Facilities Abroad Typically Seek Cheap Labor? * Ireland: Catching the Celtic Tiger By the Tale
July/August 2005 July/August 2005Debunking the Facts About DR-Cafta * The Strategic Significance of the New China-India Pact * Unpegging the Yuan from the Dollar: The Impact is Uncertain
May 2005 The Democratic Benefits of a Free Trade Agreement with Central America * Trade is Key to Our Prosperity: Protectionist Policies Would Be Disastrous * Global Trade Disputes Continue: The Impact on U.S. Exporters
March 2005 Are U.S. Deficits Bad? The Surprising Relationship Between Deficits and Economic Growth * Are Anti-Terrorist Regulations Trumping Commerce in North America?
January 2005 Before Selecting International Markets to Pursue, Consider Shifting Demographics
December 2004 What You Don't Know Can Hurt You: Insufficient State Data Make Global Planning Difficult
September 2004 John Kerry and George W. Bush on Trade: The Impact on International Business
June 2004 China: A Growing Importer and Manufacturer
Other Vermont Chamber missions held in cooperation with other Vermont organizations have taken our staff to Switzerland, Russia, Georgia and Siberia.
If you're interested in learning more about the Vermont Chamber's International Programs, please contact Curtis Picard (cpicard@vtchamber.com, 802-223-0904).
Champlain College (www.champlain.edu)
Customs and Border Protection (www.cbp.gov)
Export Legal Assistance Network (ELAN) (www.vermontttrade.com/dyn_members/4.html)
Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce (www.vermont.org)
Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China
St. Michael's College (www.smcvt.edu)
Traderoots (www.traderoots.org)
US Chamber of Commerce (www.uschamber.com)
US Customs Service (www.customs.gov)
US Dept of Commerce (www.export.gov)
US Dept of Commerce Commercial Service (www.buyUSA.com)
US Senator James Jeffords (www.senate.gov/~jeffords/)
US Senator Patrick J. Leahy (www.senate.gov/~Leahy)
US Small Business Administration Export Programs (www.sba.gov/oit)
US State Department (www.state.gov)
US Visa Information (www.unitedstatesvisas.gov)
UVM Center for Rural Studies (www.crs.uvm.edu)
Vermont Department of Agriculture (www.state.vt.us/agric
Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) (www.veda.org)
Vermont International Marketing(www.vermontvacation.com)
Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) (www.vmec.org)
Study in Vermont...
Interested in attending college in Vermont, USA? Visit these schools, featured at the American International Education Fair in Taiwan from March 19-22, 2005.
The University of Vermont (www.uvm.edu)
Saint Michael's College (www.smcvt.edu)
Lyndon Institute (www.lyndoninstitute.org)
Champlain College (www.champlain.edu)
Johnson State College (www.jsc.vsc.edu)
Vermont has more colleges per capita than any other state! We offer a diverse range of secondary and higher education opportunities that are unique, including schools recognized around the globe for their international and language programs. The array of professional, personal, and educational options in a small and beautiful state sets Vermont apart.
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