TTI Global Invited to Participate in First Ever U.S. Trade Mission in Afghanistan - Sacramento Bee

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. and KABUL, Afghanistan, March 28, 2012 -- /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- TTI Global, a staffing, training, research and business solutions company serving the automotive, pharmaceutical, telecom and hospitality industries, was selected as one of 12 U.S. companies to participate in a U.S. Department of Commerce trade mission to Kabul, Afghanistan.  The first ever mission of its kind took place in late February and explored long-term business opportunities in Afghanistan to enhance U.S.- Afghan commercial relations.

TTi was one of two Michigan owned and operated companies that participated.

"It is a source of great pride to have represented Michigan and our state's corporate community on the mission to Afghanistan," said Lori Blaker, TTi Global CEO. "Traveling on a mission of this magnitude, which encompasses significant international trade implications, is an incredible responsibility to our nation and state. As a result, TTi has planned to establish a workforce development program in the region, which will include significant commercial training and support opportunities for Afghanistan's growing number of automotive, mining, food service and logistics companies."

TTi's commitment to workforce development, which provides hands-on, in-demand skills training for young adults in developing regions, was a major driver behind the company's participation.

"Providing people in underdeveloped regions with the means to earn a living gives them hope for survival and the ability to create a better life," Blaker said. "TTi is committed to this belief and we know that our network and proven experience can be put to use in some of the most difficult markets in the world, like Afghanistan."

Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, Francisco Sanchez, led the delegation of representatives from the 12 participating U.S. businesses, which span construction, mining, agribusiness, and information technology sectors.

"I am pleased to bring these companies on this historic mission to Afghanistan," said Sanchez in an International Trade Administration press release. "We have a special opportunity to partner with Afghan government and business leaders to promote mutually beneficial economic growth and investment."

Until now, few U.S. companies have had access to operate in Afghanistan and with Afghan companies. In addition to missions like this one, the Afghanistan government is taking steps to create legal and administrative regulatory structures to develop its economy, and increase foreign and private investment.

For additional information about the initiative, visit www.export.gov/trademissions and http://www.trade.gov/afghanistan/.

About TTi Global TTi Global is a family-owned business with over 35 years of experience. With over 1,350 employees in 18 countries, TTi Global provides workforce development, technical training, market research, consulting, operations outsourcing and specialized training programs to leading automotive, pharmaceutical, hospitality, retail and consumer goods companies.

TTi Global has offices in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, India, Japan, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, Thailand, United Arab Emeritus (UAE) and Venezuela. It is one of the fastest growing private companies in America and is a National Women-Owned Business certified by the Women's Business Enterprise Council.

Contact:Corinne Petraspushtwentytwo for TTi Global248-730-3008cpetras@pushtwentytwo.com   

SOURCE TTi Global

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Business owners invited to connect, learn at Valley Business Expo - Los Angeles Daily News

Businesses will have an opportunity Thursday to connect and maybe help grow one another's bottom line.

It's happening at the fourth annual Valley Business Expo at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Hotel, 2500 Hollywood Way in Burbank.

Sponsored by the Valley Economic Alliance, it's billed as the region's largest business-to-business gathering.

It could be another green shoot in a slowly improving economy, said Ron Wood, the alliance's president and CEO.

And the pulse of the Valley's business community is a little stronger than a year ago, he said.

"People are starting to feel a little better, and they are starting to reach out. We're seeing better opportunities," Wood said.

"(Business) people were in such a down mood they had retrenched. Now they are seeing a better future and reaching out to get their businesses going again."

The event is Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and admission is $10. It is open to any size business and all industries.

One feature is a "Meet the Bankers" area for advice on securing funding from lenders, including Chase, Wells Fargo, US Bank and the Valley Economic Development Center, which specializes in Small Business Administration and other types of financing.

There will also be sessions on how to do business with some of the region's largest private sector companies and public agencies, including the Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles World Airport, Van Nuys Airport,

Walmart, Republic Services Inc., which serves in the domestic, nonhazardous solid waste industry, and Vons.

There will be at least 106 exhibitors, Wood said. They will feature a variety of products, including marketing and advertising, sales strategies, social media, email marketing, finance and capital access and businesses development services.

"It's an opportunity to learn from fellow business owners and connect with other business owners. They can learn what others are doing to expand their business," Wood said.

Economist William W. Roberts, director of the San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center at CSUN, also senses a better overall feeling about the economy.

"People have adjusted to what the economy has become. It's better than it was. We're moving forward, incomes are going up and unemployment is coming down," he said.

"We're getting positive signs pretty much clear across the board."

For additional information on the expo, contact the alliance at 818-379-7000 or www.thevalley.net/expo.

greg.wilcox@dailynews.com

818-713-3743

twitter.com/dngregwilcox

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Business owners invited to connect, learn at Valley Business Expo - Los Angeles Daily News

Businesses will have an opportunity Thursday to connect and maybe help grow one another's bottom line.

It's happening at the fourth annual Valley Business Expo at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Hotel, 2500 Hollywood Way in Burbank.

Sponsored by the Valley Economic Alliance, it's billed as the region's largest business-to-business gathering.

It could be another green shoot in a slowly improving economy, said Ron Wood, the alliance's president and CEO.

And the pulse of the Valley's business community is a little stronger than a year ago, he said.

"People are starting to feel a little better, and they are starting to reach out. We're seeing better opportunities," Wood said.

"(Business) people were in such a down mood they had retrenched. Now they are seeing a better future and reaching out to get their businesses going again."

The event is Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and admission is $10. It is open to any size business and all industries.

One feature is a "Meet the Bankers" area for advice on securing funding from lenders, including Chase, Wells Fargo, US Bank and the Valley Economic Development Center, which specializes in Small Business Administration and other types of financing.

There will also be sessions on how to do business with some of the region's largest private sector companies and public agencies, including the Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles World Airport, Van Nuys Airport,

Walmart, Republic Services Inc., which serves in the domestic, nonhazardous solid waste industry, and Vons.

There will be at least 106 exhibitors, Wood said. They will feature a variety of products, including marketing and advertising, sales strategies, social media, email marketing, finance and capital access and businesses development services.

"It's an opportunity to learn from fellow business owners and connect with other business owners. They can learn what others are doing to expand their business," Wood said.

Economist William W. Roberts, director of the San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center at CSUN, also senses a better overall feeling about the economy.

"People have adjusted to what the economy has become. It's better than it was. We're moving forward, incomes are going up and unemployment is coming down," he said.

"We're getting positive signs pretty much clear across the board."

For additional information on the expo, contact the alliance at 818-379-7000 or www.thevalley.net/expo.

greg.wilcox@dailynews.com

818-713-3743

twitter.com/dngregwilcox

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Businesses Invited To Seek Investment Opportunities At Myanmar Business Conference 2012 - Bernama

February 08, 2012 18:32 PM

Businesses Invited To Seek Investment Opportunities At Myanmar Business Conference 2012

SINGAPORE, Feb 8 (Bernama) -- Myanmar's new pro-development economic policies provide new hope for many businesses facing daunting news of a world economic slowdown.

But from May 15-19 this year, the 5th Myanmar Business Conference 2012 in Yangon, will provide a rare opportunity for foreign businesses to be briefed on the country's new pro-business policies and its need of products and services.

Hosted by the Myanmar Ministry of National Planning & Economic Development, officials from various Ministries will interact and assist foreign delegates to gain a better understanding of Myanmar's New Master Plan for Economic Growth over the next five years.

The organiser of the event from Singapore, Foreign Recruitment Centre Pte Ltd said: "This is an unprecedented opportunity to visit Myanmar to learn from officials and also network with Myanmarese businessmen, including members of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industries with over 20,000 members companies."

Foreign Recruitment Centre Pte Ltd managing director, William Tan, who has spent more than 17 years visiting Myanmar on a regular basis said many foreign companies are searching for a less expensive location to expand or relocate their production base.

"Myanmar is one of the options manufacturers are considering.

"Companies which participated in the development of countries such as China and Vietnam which opened their doors to the outside world in the 80's and 90's, will appreciate the potential and opportunities Myanmar is about to unleash.

"Myanmar is ready to upgrade everything, including infrastructure and technology, and therefore the potential is not to be missed by forward looking companies," he added, when announcing the 5th Myanmar Business Conference 2012 here today.

He said the conference will be held in Yangon and Naypyitaw.

Myanmar's economic growth for 2012 is projected to be a remarkable 8.8 per cent.

Meanwhile, hotels in Yangon are already overbooked, flights always full and downtown F& B outlets are servicing more foreign diners.

Details of the 5th Myanmar Business Conference 2012 are available on major search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing.

More details are available at www.myanmarbusinessconference.com

-- BERNAMA

We provide (subscription-based) 
news coverage in our Newswire service.

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Malaysia invited to diversify its investment in Turkmenistan

Home - Business - Malaysia invited to diversify its investment in Turkmenistan

Posted on February 8, 2012, Wednesday

Datuk Seri Anifah Aman

LONDON: Malaysian firms should capitalise on the vast business opportunities in Turkmenistan as the Central Asian nation seeks to intensify contacts in a broad spectrum of economic partnership. This invitation was expressed by the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman at a meeting on Feb 1.

Anifah, who was met by Malaysian press in London yesterday, said among key areas that was raised at the meeting was the increase of Malaysian involvement in industrial, transport and communications as well as high technology and tourism sectors, especially in the context of Turkmenistan’s ongoing infrastructural projects and large-scale reform initiatives.

“President Berdimuhammadov, who together with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, took the relationship of both countries to a higher level in the past year, has indicated to me that his government will be very friendly to any possible Malaysian involvements and investments in the Turkmen economy,” he said.

The Turkmen market, which is rapidly developing, and the favourable investment climate in the country, provide a conducive platform for the establishment of long-term cooperation with Malaysian business circles.

“My trip to Turkmenistan was also to assist Petronas in trying to secure other further business opportunities and to request for speedy government approval to facilitate of some of the work that they plan to do there,” he added.

Petronas Carigali, the exploration and production arm of Petronas, began operating in the Turkmen sector of Caspian Sea since 1996. Ten years later, in May 2006, the national oil corporation began to diversify in more downstream activities, such as industrial production and oil export.

Moving forward, on top of wider economic links, Berdimuhammadov had also expressed hopes that both Malaysia and Turkmenistan will be able to enhance bilateral humanitarian contacts, including in areas of education, professional training, science and culture.

Anifah also said that his ministry had already identified a candidate to be appointed as Malaysia’s first ambassador to Turkmenistan, with a Malaysian Embassy to be opened in the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat in the coming months.

Turkmenistan is also in the process of establishing an embassy in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama

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Small businesses invited to speed mentoring conference - Savannah Morning News

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