| John H. Chafee Center for International Business
The John H. Chafee Center for International Business (CIB) coordinates
Bryant College's leading corporate outreach programs, and it is the region's
resource for international trade. Our new, expanded business facility,
which houses state-of-the-art technology, provides businesses with a competitive
advantage in today's global marketplace. It provides a comprehensive
array of services from export training, research, and consulting to arrangements
for trade missions and trade shows to help businesses overseas.
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Export Assistance Programs
In 1988, Bryant College inaugurated a specialized service, the Rhode Island
Export Assistance Center, for Rhode Island companies seeking to sell their
products or services in world markets. Its assistance program includes
the provision of expert consultants to guide clients in preliminary or
advanced trade issues, such as, market research, manufacturing adaptation
for overseas sales, financial planning, legal guidance, trade negotiations,
currency exchange, cultural issues, and many other important areas. Its
Global Link program uses Bryant’s new videoconferencing facility to connect
companies across the country or around the world, increasing productivity
at a greatly reduced cost. Professional international experts, along with
Bryant faculty, conduct research and participate in consulting assignments
throughout the world. www.rieac.org
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International Trade Data Network
Many professionals consider the Center’s International Trade Data Network
(ITDN) to be the leading source in the world for international trade data.
The ITDN is a collection of interactive databases in a user friendly system
that provides timely detailed information on trade opportunities, export
contacts, market intelligence, and travel advisories. In addition, the
College’s new school program, Linking International Trade Education
(LITE), assists high school faculty and students in understanding global
issues through the use of the ITDN. www.itdn.net
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World Trade Center Rhode Island
Bryant College is the first private college to own a World Trade Center
charter. The World Trade Center Association, Inc. (WTCA) with headquarters
in New York City, has more than 500,000 affiliated companies and 300 centers
in nearly 100 countries. The College offers these international business
services in partnership with funding from the Rhode Island Convention Center
Authority. Bryant also manages the Rhode Island International Trade Directorate
for the state of Rhode Island, through its Rhode Island Export Center (EAC).
The EAC is funded by Bryant College and the Rhode Island Economic Development
Corporation of the state of Rhode Island.
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Country & Industry Room Programs
The Country & Industry Program (CIP), funded in part by the Economic
Development Administration and the Human Resource Investment Council, provides
focused market research assistance to Rhode Island businesses interested
in trade development. The CIP facility contains 20 areas, each assigned
a specific country, such as Canada or Japan, or an industry, such as electronic
and electrical equipment, or environmental services. Each room contains
access to resources dedicated to the unique characteristics, opportunities,
and export requirements of specific countries or industries.
Through customized training programs, clients identify customers in foreign
markets. Each month, businesses can choose from several seminars
and workshops that instruct participants how to target foreign customers,
determine the cost of pursuing export sales, and avoid the pitfalls of
exporting. World Trade Day, an annual event held in June, is the
premier export training event of the year.
The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, along with the Rhode
Island Export Assistance Center, designs export missions for industry or
trade consortia. Both organizations work with industry groups to
identify and prioritize key export markets. Participants receive
a schedule of customized one-to-one business appointments based on their
individual objectives and requirements. Export missions offer companies
the opportunity to generate sales leads and meet with potential agents,
distributors, and joint venture partners.Other export mission benefits
include in-country market research and telemarketing; in-country promotional
campaigns; business briefings highlighting economic issues, cultural practices,
and export logistics; interpreter services; receptions for business partners;
and ground transporation.
The Rhode Island Export Assistance Center (RIEAC), in partnership with
the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), provides Rhode Island businesses
with the tools needed to address and secure export working capital for
export ventures. The RIEAC conducts seminars on export financing,
meets with clients interested in securing an export loan, and processes
loan requests in accordance with SBA guidelines.
For businesses that wish to expand or enter the global marketplace via
the Internet, Web page development is offered. Clients may choose
technical and/or content production services.
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Linking International Trade Education
The Linking International Trade Education (LITE) program is a unique computer-based
service that provides K-12 students and teachers the opportunity to explore
the many facets of the world economy by using the International Trade Data
Network as their primary source of world information. LITE is funded,
in part, by the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
and the Educational Collaboratives.
Bryant College's John H. Chafee Center for International Business values
its unique partnerships with government agencies in fostering international
trade. The John H. Chafee Center for International Business manages
the International Trade Directorate for the Rhode Island Economic Development
Corporation through its nationally recognized Rhode Island Export Assistance
Center. Bryant College owns a World Trade Center charter and manages this
program in partnership with the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority.
The John H. Chafee Center for International Business also works with the
U.S. Small Business Administration, the Association of Small Business Development
Centers, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration,
and many state agencies in delivering current global market intelligence
through its International Trade Data Network (ITDN). Today the ITDN
serves businesses throughout the United States.
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Global Managers of the Future
The John H. Chafee Center for International Business offers a living business
laboratory where students can learn firsthand about the global market.
Under the guidance of faculty members and professionals on directed studies
or internships, qualified students can enhance their classroom knowledge
with real world experiences. They have opportunities for direct client
contact and hands-on experiences in international trade research.
The John H. Chafee Center for International Business also assists faculty
members on class projects and research initiatives in the international
arena. |
