BEP Markets Foreign Trade Zone at World Trade Center

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Reading, PA - Berks Economic Partnership (BEP) participated in the World Trade Center of Central Pennsylvania's Annual International Trade Conference on May 27 in Camp Hill, PA.  Pamela Shupp, Vice President, BEP, attended the conference and also exhibited and marketed central Pennsylvania's Foreign Trade Zone 147 which includes several sites in Berks County.

The event featured a number of sessions on topics such as export compliance, international tax tips, import duty management programs, and reaching global customers through social media.  Representatives from several embassies, including Azerbaijan, Ecuador, and Macedonia, were also on hand to discuss investment and trade opportunities in their countries.

Foreign Trade Zone 147 is a regional economic development initiative that encompasses nine counties in southcentral Pennsylvania, including Berks County.  Within this geography, there are numerous FTZ sites that are strategically located and are legally considered to be outside of the Customs territory.  Certain types of merchandise can be imported into an FTZ site without going through formal Customs entry procedures or paying import duties.  Locating a business in a foreign trade zone can potentially save a company significant dollars.

Shupp said that more Pennsylvania companies need to be aware of the various programs and incentives available to conduct business internationally.  "We want to support companies that choose to expand into the global marketplace," Shupp said.  "It can be an intimidating process, but the State of PA and the regional economic groups can be a great resource for companies thinking about conducting international business."