Editorial: Western Massachusetts ready to make business connections - Union-News & Sunday Republican

Westward ho!

That’s the slogan on the minds of state economic development officials this week as they touted Western Massachusetts as the new land of business opportunity to technology leaders in Boston.

We applaud the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, an independent state agency, for showcasing what the west has to offer during Monday’s conference aimed at Boston-area business leaders. It’s not often such an event is dedicated solely to business opportunities west of Interstate-495.

Over the last decade, the region’s economy has languished while Greater Boston has prospered from the high-tech boom – a fact that has led to great frustration in economic development circles here. But, the landscape is changing and Western Massachusetts can no longer be counted out.

A series of recent infrastructure investments make this particularly auspicious time for the western counties to become the state’s next frontier for new high-tech niches. Developments include: Construction of a $168 million high-performance computing center in Holyoke; a $110 million state data center near downtown Springfield; and installation of a 1,100-mile fiber optic cable for high-speed Internet to rural parts of Western Massachusetts. Springfield and other cities in the region already have high-speed Internet.

U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, who championed the region at the conference, noted that public investments help create jobs. Just as the $15 billion spent on Boston’s new central artery helped spark the Boston-area economy, he said, the investment in Western Massachusetts’ high-speed infrastructure will do the same. Neal said the lower cost of labor, housing and office rental make Western Massachusetts a bargain.

We believe there are compelling reasons for businesses to consider locating to Western Massachusetts.

So, we have this advice: Go West, young startup.

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Businesses ready for bold action - Atlanta Journal Constitution

By Chris Clark

For nearly 100 years, the Georgia Chamber has partnered with elected leaders to identify and implement policies that will grow our state’s economy, foster job creation and ensure a high quality of life.

This collaboration between the business community and government has resulted in a state that ranks consistently as one of the best to do business. Thanks to the vision and leadership of Gov. Nathan Deal, it will continue to do so into the future.

One of the governor’s first actions in office was the creation of the Georgia Competitiveness Initiative — a public-private effort to update and enhance our state’s economic development strategy. Our chamber was proud to be asked to co-chair this initiative with the Georgia Department of Economic Development. We had an opportunity to listen to and learn from thousands of business leaders what they believed were the keys to economic revitalization.

As we traveled to each of the state’s economic development districts, we examined opportunities and challenges in the areas most important to business. We learned a great deal.

We heard that although Georgia boasts some of the nation’s best research institutions and technical training programs, there is still a lot of work to do at the k-12 level, and that sometimes the curriculum offered is not necessarily meeting the needs of today’s employers.

We heard that small businesses and entrepreneurs are not always getting the support they need to be successful, that businesses often feel overburdened by regulatory and tax policies that are no longer in line with today’s economy, and that the state’s economic incentive structure needs revision in order to put us on an even playing field with other states.

We heard that all Georgians — no matter what part of the state they are in — understand the need for connectivity to our ports, airports and to other regions.

In fact, many participants indicated that they were willing to support the regional transportation referendum on the ballot this year. That shows an understanding of the transformative impact passage will have on their communities, and that there is no other funding option available for transportation improvements.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we heard that, as it has throughout our state’s history, Georgia’s business community is ready to take bold action and do the hard work — alongside our elected officials — to get our economy going again.

Without question, the Georgia Competitiveness Initiative achieved what was intended. The governor has already shared a number of legislative proposals resulting from this effort, each of which directly address the issues raised during the process. Some will have an immediate impact on our state’s ability to attract new jobs and investments.

In particular, we encourage the General Assembly to agree to the governor’s proposal to remove the sales tax on energy used for manufacturing, mining and agriculture.

Each of these industries plays a significant role in our state’s economy and has potential for growth. We cannot afford to lose that opportunity as a result of being the only state that still taxes an unavoidable business input.

As important as any immediate actions will be a continued focus on the future, a long-term commitment to improving and refining Georgia’s economic development strategy and tools so that we stay ahead of, not just in line with, our competition. There is no reason why our state cannot continue to be one of the very best in which to do business.

The Georgia Chamber looks forward to continuing to work with Deal and other elected leaders to achieve that goal.

Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, is co-chairman of the Georgia Competitiveness Initiative.

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German companies ready to seize business opportunities in Libya

With its huge oil and natural gas reserves, Libya is viewed by German businesses as a trade partner with huge potential.

German Economy Minister Philipp Rösler and Foreign Minster Guido Westerwelle have already visited the country and agreed to provide economic support to the transition government.

Hans-Peter Merz from the Middle Ruhr Valley Chamber of Industry and Commerce points to the huge reconstruction needs in Libya following the fall of Gadhafi regime.

"There has been significant destruction as a result of the fighting," Merz said. "Much needs to be rebuilt, so there will be plenty of business opportunities."

Opportunities galore

Before the fall of Gadhafi, Libya annually imported goods worth 25 billion dollars (19 billion euros). Trade with Germany averaged around one billion euros, generated largely by some 40 companies including Bilfinger Berger, E.On, RWE and Siemens.

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  Libya has huge oil and natural gas reserves"The construction and consumer goods sectors offer plenty of business opportunities," Merz said. "Libya has no consumer goods industry to speak of."

While the country has a potentially attractive agriculture sector, especially for fruits, it requires help in marketing these products in Europe, offering further business opportunities. Over the years, it has also shown healthy demand for agriculture equipment, particularly from Germany.

Müller International from the western town of Rommerskirchen, for instance, has been delivering equipment, such as tractors and combines, to Libyan customers for more than 20 years. "We advise people on spare parts that we supply for our equipment," he said. "We also consult on work processes and ways to increase yields."

Money problems

Despite all the trade potential, there are some obstacles, capital being one of them. Because many Libyans have withdrawn their savings, many banks now lack a sufficient capital base to finance imports.

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  Marketing in agriculture is one of the business opportunitiesMüller is in permanent contact via text messages and e-mail with representatives of German companies in Libya to keep abreast of developments in the country and new contracts.

"We've just won a new contract but we have yet to complete it for lack of a money transfer or letter of credit," he said.

Müller lauds the support from the German government. The recent flight with Economy Minister Rösler, he said, was "full of industry representatives."

International competition in North Africa is fierce. Countries such as China, France, Italy, South Korea and Turkey are vying for an ever bigger chunk of business in the region.

Müller sees the opportunities for German companies in focusing on niche areas and products requiring a high level of specialization.

Author: Klaus Deuse / jrb
Editor: Nicole Goebel

View the original article here

German companies ready to seize business opportunities in Libya

With its huge oil and natural gas reserves, Libya is viewed by German businesses as a trade partner with huge potential.

German Economy Minister Philipp Rösler and Foreign Minster Guido Westerwelle have already visited the country and agreed to provide economic support to the transition government.

Hans-Peter Merz from the Middle Ruhr Valley Chamber of Industry and Commerce points to the huge reconstruction needs in Libya following the fall of Gadhafi regime.

"There has been significant destruction as a result of the fighting," Merz said. "Much needs to be rebuilt, so there will be plenty of business opportunities."

Opportunities galore

Before the fall of Gadhafi, Libya annually imported goods worth 25 billion dollars (19 billion euros). Trade with Germany averaged around one billion euros, generated largely by some 40 companies including Bilfinger Berger, E.On, RWE and Siemens.

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  Libya has huge oil and natural gas reserves"The construction and consumer goods sectors offer plenty of business opportunities," Merz said. "Libya has no consumer goods industry to speak of."

While the country has a potentially attractive agriculture sector, especially for fruits, it requires help in marketing these products in Europe, offering further business opportunities. Over the years, it has also shown healthy demand for agriculture equipment, particularly from Germany.

Müller International from the western town of Rommerskirchen, for instance, has been delivering equipment, such as tractors and combines, to Libyan customers for more than 20 years. "We advise people on spare parts that we supply for our equipment," he said. "We also consult on work processes and ways to increase yields."

Money problems

Despite all the trade potential, there are some obstacles, capital being one of them. Because many Libyans have withdrawn their savings, many banks now lack a sufficient capital base to finance imports.

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  Marketing in agriculture is one of the business opportunitiesMüller is in permanent contact via text messages and e-mail with representatives of German companies in Libya to keep abreast of developments in the country and new contracts.

"We've just won a new contract but we have yet to complete it for lack of a money transfer or letter of credit," he said.

Müller lauds the support from the German government. The recent flight with Economy Minister Rösler, he said, was "full of industry representatives."

International competition in North Africa is fierce. Countries such as China, France, Italy, South Korea and Turkey are vying for an ever bigger chunk of business in the region.

Müller sees the opportunities for German companies in focusing on niche areas and products requiring a high level of specialization.

Author: Klaus Deuse / jrb
Editor: Nicole Goebel

View the original article here

German companies ready to seize business opportunities in Libya

With its huge oil and natural gas reserves, Libya is viewed by German businesses as a trade partner with huge potential.

German Economy Minister Philipp Rösler and Foreign Minster Guido Westerwelle have already visited the country and agreed to provide economic support to the transition government.

Hans-Peter Merz from the Middle Ruhr Valley Chamber of Industry and Commerce points to the huge reconstruction needs in Libya following the fall of Gadhafi regime.

"There has been significant destruction as a result of the fighting," Merz said. "Much needs to be rebuilt, so there will be plenty of business opportunities."

Opportunities galore

Before the fall of Gadhafi, Libya annually imported goods worth 25 billion dollars (19 billion euros). Trade with Germany averaged around one billion euros, generated largely by some 40 companies including Bilfinger Berger, E.On, RWE and Siemens.

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  Libya has huge oil and natural gas reserves"The construction and consumer goods sectors offer plenty of business opportunities," Merz said. "Libya has no consumer goods industry to speak of."

While the country has a potentially attractive agriculture sector, especially for fruits, it requires help in marketing these products in Europe, offering further business opportunities. Over the years, it has also shown healthy demand for agriculture equipment, particularly from Germany.

Müller International from the western town of Rommerskirchen, for instance, has been delivering equipment, such as tractors and combines, to Libyan customers for more than 20 years. "We advise people on spare parts that we supply for our equipment," he said. "We also consult on work processes and ways to increase yields."

Money problems

Despite all the trade potential, there are some obstacles, capital being one of them. Because many Libyans have withdrawn their savings, many banks now lack a sufficient capital base to finance imports.

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:  Marketing in agriculture is one of the business opportunitiesMüller is in permanent contact via text messages and e-mail with representatives of German companies in Libya to keep abreast of developments in the country and new contracts.

"We've just won a new contract but we have yet to complete it for lack of a money transfer or letter of credit," he said.

Müller lauds the support from the German government. The recent flight with Economy Minister Rösler, he said, was "full of industry representatives."

International competition in North Africa is fierce. Countries such as China, France, Italy, South Korea and Turkey are vying for an ever bigger chunk of business in the region.

Müller sees the opportunities for German companies in focusing on niche areas and products requiring a high level of specialization.

Author: Klaus Deuse / jrb
Editor: Nicole Goebel

View the original article here