News

2020 Top Women in Business Award

December 16, 2020 - World Trade Center Delaware President Carla Stone Receives 2020 Top Women in Business Award Wilmington, DE, Dec. 2020—World Trade Center Delaware President Carla Stone was honored as one of Delaware’s 2020 “Top Women in Business” at a recent virtual awards ceremony. Stone was among thirty-four women awarded at the annual event hosted by Today Media, Inc. to recognize the accomplishments of business leaders throughout the state. Delaware Today Magazine, which featured the winners in its December edition, said “nobody was better positioned to help Delawareans navigate international business than Carla Stone,” when she was hired as president of the World Trade Center in the First State. A former engineer who has worked all over the world on projects ranging from geophysics and mineral economics to wastewater, avian influenza and telemedicine, Stone saw that Delaware businesses “were missing out on tremendous opportunities for building their companies by selling their products globally.” She has led the World Trade Center Delaware, one of a network of 300 World Trade Centers in 90 countries across the globe, in helping these companies connect outside their traditional trading areas. One of her goals is to help fledgling companies strategize beyond their home base. Stone, named this year as a World Bank Public Sector Liaison, spoke at several big world events including the US Global Leadership Council World Virtual Annual Summit which included world emissaries such as Cindy McCain, and local events like the 2020 Delaware Entrepreneurial Summit while delivering COVID-19 response services to Delaware. She is excited about the World Trade Center’s new location in the New Castle County Corporate Commons and the upcoming 2021 World Trade Center Delaware Gala (more details coming soon.) Read More

International Delaware Magazine

December 16, 2020 - International Delaware Magazine Released by World Trade Center Focuses on FinTech in the First State The World Trade Center Delaware has released its fourth edition of International Delaware Magazine which focuses on Delaware's growing FinTech industry. “Little did we know when we first discussed the theme for this issue just how timely this edition would be,” said World Trade Center Delaware President Carla Stone. “The use of IT and e-commerce exploded during the past eight months as people sought to limit contact with others in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. It is clear that financial technology services, or FinTech, is here to stay and will only grow in the future.” The foundation for FinTech in Delaware was laid in 1981, when then-Gov. Pierre S. du Pont IV signed the Financial Center Development Act, legislation designed to increase employment in the banking and financial services sector by attracting out-of-state institutions to establish subsidiaries in Delaware. Today, Delaware, despite its tiny population, is one of the world's great financial centers. Over 75% of all FinTech investment in the Philadelphia region is found in Delaware and it has the highest concentration of financial services employment in the entire country according to a study by Delaware Prosperity Partnership. The study, "Delaware in a FinTech Future," reported that Delaware ranks No. 1 per capita for the number of FinTech patents issued over the past ten years in the U.S. and No. 5 overall. Discover Bank, this issue's presenting sponsor, is making a significant contribution to Delaware's FinTech future. In partnership with the University of Delaware and Delaware Technology Park, Discover Bank is building a new 100,000-square-foot center for FinTech innovation on the university's Science Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus that will combine the prowess of academia, government, and industry to support and grow FinTech's future in Delaware. “We thank Discover and all of our partners who have made this issue of International Delaware possible,” Stone said. “Tens of thousands of readers around the world will learn what we already know: FinTech is the future of commerce and Delaware is its home.” Read More

USGLC Virtual Mid-Atlantic Regional Summit

November 2, 2020 - World Trade Center Delaware is proud to be a co-sponsor for the 4th year in a row, of the US Global Leadership Coalition Summit featuring Senator Chris Coons and special guests. This year's Virtual Summit will take place on November 16 from 12:00 ( noon EST) to 1:30 p.m. The theme this year is the positive impact of global affairs program in Delaware and the Mid-Atlantic region. The USGLC works in our nation’s capital and across the country to strengthen America’s civilian-led tools — development and diplomacy — alongside defense. By advocating for a strong International Affairs Budget, the USGLC is working to make America’s international affairs programs a keystone of U.S. foreign policy. Read More

World Trade Center Delaware Features UK View of US

October 6, 2020 - An international group of participants gathered virtually on September 30th to hear the UK’s Consul-General in New York and Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America Antony Phillipson present the UK view of current negotiations toward a Free Trade Agreement.. Most recently, the fourth round of negotiations concluded on September 18th, and just prior to this round, the two countries exchanged their first tariff offers. In his presentation, Mr. Phillipson highlighted aspects of the negotiations that will affect Delaware industries. This webinar, sponsored by World Trade Center Delaware, gave attendees a unique view of the work that will affect one of Delaware’s and the United States’ most important trading relationships. Delaware’s exports of products to Great Britain grew 34% between 2018 to 2019, reaching $542 million, 12.3% of all of Delaware’s product exports. The largest category by far is pharmaceuticals and medicines. Delaware imported $596 million of commodities and other products from the U.K. Close behind are Delaware’s services exports to the UK, $ primarily, financial services. British subsidiaries employ over 8,100 people in Delaware. Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America, Antony Phillipson, said: “The UK and Delaware have a strong economic relationship that in recent years has supported hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of trade and made the UK one of the top export markets for Delaware. I look forward to seeing both Brits and Delawareans reap the benefits of a comprehensive, ambitious and forward-looking free trade agreement as both of our economies bounce back from COVID-19.” This seminar was part of WTC Delaware’s program of workshops and training designed to give companies, particularly small and medium exporters, access to information that will help them to expand their business. Others participating in the webinar were: Amanda Deatherage Kalyan, Senior Trade Policy Advisor, British Embassy, WashingtonCarla Sydney Stone, President of World Trade Center Delaware. Read More

EXIM Chm Reed + Sen Carper at WTC Delaware Webinar

July 27, 2020 - Chairman Reed Focuses on How EXIM Can Help Delaware Small Businesses Succeed in the Competitive Global Marketplace During World Trade Center Delaware Remarks. Joins U.S. Senator Tom Carper to Outline EXIM Trade Finance Tools That Can Help American Businesses Expand Their International Sales. On July 22, Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) President and Chairman Kimberly A. Reed delivered prerecorded remarks to more than 50 attendees of a World Trade Center Delaware(link is external) webinar focused on trade finance tools for U.S. exporters. During the virtual event, Chairman Reed highlighted how U.S. businesses can use EXIM’s financing tools and resources to increase their international sales, showcase their “Made in the USA” products, and sustain American jobs. She also underscored EXIM’s COVID-19 (coronavirus) relief measures for U.S. exporters and financial institutions, including U.S. small businesses. “As we reopen our economy, EXIM knows that U.S. businesses of all sizes, including in Delaware, are seeking to grow their global sales,” said Chairman Reed. “EXIM stands ready to assist American companies reach new customers in the global marketplace who are eager to buy American-made products and, in turn, support U.S. jobs.” U.S. Senator Tom Carper of Delaware also took part in the event, highlighting how expanding access to export markets can benefit U.S. companies. “A critical role of government is to create a more nurturing environment for businesses to grow and thrive, both in Delaware and across the country,” said Senator Carper. “By providing much-needed financing and other support to small businesses in the First State, the Export-Import Bank and the World Trade Center Delaware have helped those businesses expand and sell products ranging from aviation equipment to agricultural products overseas. It’s no secret that the Export-Import Bank is a job-creating engine. In 2019, the Bank supported an estimated 34,000 jobs across the nation, and I know that, if we continue our work together, it can create thousands more.” Others participating in the webinar were: Carla Sydney Stone, President of World Trade Center Delaware.Regina Gordin, EXIM Eastern Region Deputy Managing Director of Sales and Marketing.Aerek Stephens, EXIM Business Development Officer.The speakers outlined opportunities to support small and medium-sized businesses with EXIM’s export financing that can help them increase current sales or expand into new markets. By partnering with EXIM, exporters can mitigate the risk of nonpayment on international sales and offer credit terms to foreign buyers. The World Trade Center Delaware is a member of EXIM’s Regional Export Promotion Program (REPP), a cooperative arrangement between EXIM, cities, counties, states, and local nonprofit economic development entities. With 56 members in 35 states and two U.S territories, it has yielded more than $25 million in new authorizations though direct referrals, connecting small business exporters to the global economy. “World Trade Center Delaware values the partnership we have with EXIM,” said WTC Delaware President Stone. “As Delaware’s REPP, we’re able to assist companies of all sizes in attaining the low-cost financing they need to compete against foreign suppliers. This webinar showed exporters, especially small businesses, the advantages that EXIM’s products such as term financing, working capital guarantees, and credit risk insurance bring to international transactions, enabling them to enter new markets and increase profitability.” Read More

Pres.Carla Stone Named to World Bank Group Network

April 15, 2020 - World Trade Center Delaware (WTC Delaware) President Carla Stone Named to World Bank Group Private Sector Liaison Officers Network The World Trade Center Delaware’s president Carla Stone has been invited to join the World Bank Group’s Private Sector Liaison Officer (PSLO) network. This voluntary network, which comprises over 150 business intermediary organizations in more than 95 countries, is designed to facilitate the World Bank Group’s engagement with the private sector. “This network is just one example of the many resources that World Trade Center Delaware brings to the region,” said Carla Stone. “I am very honored to join the World Bank Group’s PSLO Network. I look forward to partnering with the Bank to help Delaware-based companies better understand how they can tap into procurement opportunities of World Bank-financed projects and hopefully expand business opportunities for the region.” The role of the PSLO includes: facilitating local companies’ contact with the World Bank Group (WBG) and other international financial institutions; providing the WBG with insights on how to better engage companies on development issues; and disseminating WBG knowledge and research that may be of interest to the private sector. World Trade Center Delaware will organize a number of events on behalf of its members, local companies and partners with the support of the WBG, including: Business Opportunities Seminars: presentations on how the different institutions within the WBG operate and how their work may offer potential opportunities for the private sector. Joint private sector delegations to WBG headquarters in Washington, D.C. Business Missions to the Field: joint delegations of companies to WBG client countries including meetings with WBG country offices, government agencies, and business-to-business meetings with local companies. About the World Trade Delaware The World Trade Center Delaware is the state’s premier international business resource. Since 1987, we have provided Delaware with global economic, cultural, and workforce development solutions through training, trade services and trade leads, trade missions, and strategic partnerships with US Government and international agencies. Delaware is the Eastern Gateway to the United States and World Trade Center Delaware is the key. We bring the world to Delaware and Delaware to the world. For more information, please visit: www.wtcde.com. About the World Trade Centers Association The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is a network of more than 300 highly-connected, mutuallysupporting businesses and organizations in nearly 100 countries. As the owner of the “World Trade Center” and “WTC” trademarks, the WTCA licenses exclusive rights to these brands for Members to use in conjunction with their independently-owned, iconic properties, facilities and trade services offerings. Through a robust portfolio of events, programming and resources that it offers its Members, the goal of the WTCA is to help local economies thrive by encouraging and facilitating trade and investment across the globe through Member engagement. To learn more visit www.wtca.org. About the World Bank Group The World Bank Group is one of the world's largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. It comprises five closely associated institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA), which together form the World Bank; the International Finance Corporation (IFC); the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). Each institution plays a distinct role in the mission to fight poverty and improve living standards for people in the developing world. For more information, please visit www.worldbank.org, www.miga.org, and www.ifc.org. Read More

Taking Advantage of Your WTC Delaware Membership

July 25, 2019 - One of the advantages of being a World Trade Centers Association member is the ability to work with other Centers on behalf of World Trade Center Delaware companies and the state's, Delaware’s, industries, academic institutions, and agencies. This is integral to our mission of expanding trade between Delaware and the rest of the world. In May, we attended the U.S. Commercial Service Trade Winds Indo-Pacific Forum and Mission in New Delhi, and the Ghana Trade & Investment Forum in Washington, D. C. In June, we hosted a delegation of women entrepreneurs in from Peru in Delaware and exhibited at the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Maputo, Mozambique. For each activity, we relied on WTCA partners or resources. Trade Winds is the U.S. Government’s single largest trade mission and this year was no exception. Over 100 companies and 600 individuals, U.S. Government trade experts, and representatives from countries throughout the region participate in this event. WTC Delaware met with almost 20 U.S. Commercial Service officers from Embassies throughout the Indo-Pacific region. One of the highlights of our trip was to visit with WTC Noida, where we were hosted by Ms. Khair Ull Nissa, the executive director and her staff. WTC Noida is a planned city in Uttar Pradesh and a satellite city of Delhi. It is replacing Mumbai as the second-best realty destination, is ranked as the Best City in Housing in India, and is considered to be India’s greenest city with the highest green cover of any city in the country. A business incubator has already opened in the center of its state-of-the-art complex, and the two newest office towers were fully occupied with electronics companies as soon as they were completed. Many of these companies could be partners to those in Delaware. WTC Delaware was pleased to work with WTC Accra to introduce Delaware companies in the environmental, risk management, agricultural, and drone technology sectors to Ghanaian companies and government agencies at the Ghana Trade & Investment Forum. Just a week later, we welcomed a Ghanaian company to membership in WTC Delaware, and are working with them as they seek to open a manufacturing site in Delaware. Collaboration is key to expanding networks. Working with the Delaware Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, WTC Lima, and the World Association of Women Entrepreneurs, our senior business consultant, Dinette Rivera, organized a delegation of Peruvian women entrepreneurs. During the week, they met with a wide variety of Delaware businesses and the Governor. A visit to Peru is scheduled for Delaware companies in the fall. WTC Delaware was selected to exhibit at a second U.S.-Africa Business Summit in a row. Twelve Heads of State and more than 1,000 American and African private sector executives, international investors, senior government officials, and multilateral stakeholders attended the Summit this year, a recognition of the importance of the continent as an emerging economic powerhouse. Six out of the 10 fastest growing economies in the world are located on the African continent. The high points of this trip were invitations to a dinner hosted by the President of Zimbabwe and a luncheon meeting on healthcare with cabinet ministers and healthcare technology experts from a variety of countries. Since the Summit, WTC Delaware has taken companies to Washington to meet with several Ambassadors and commercial attaches. Delaware is known as the “incorporation capital of the world.” Working with other World Trade Centers and collaborators from government and industry, we are facilitating partnerships between our innovative biopharmaceutical, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, banking and fintech, port and logistics, environmental services, and agricultural companies and those of other cities and countries. Membership in the World Trade Centers Association also helps us to present Delaware as a strategic, competitive location for companies that want to set up a business or find a partner in the U.S. With WTCA support, we bring the world to Delaware and Delaware to the world. Read More

WTC Delaware to Host US-Africa Business Summit

March 8, 2019 - The World Trade Center Delaware (WTC Delaware) will host Opportunities for Delaware-Africa Trade: Kick-Off to US-Africa Business Summit, March 12, 2019, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the University and Whist Club, 805 North Broom Street, Wilmington, Del. The event will showcase opportunities to increase trade between Delaware, the Mid-Atlantic region, and Africa. “This workshop is unique because it also will include a forum for attendees to meet individually with ambassadors from countries with some of the fastest growing economies in Africa, officials from U.S. government international trade assistance agencies, and a representative from the Corporate Council on Africa”, said Carla Stone, president of World Trade Center Delaware. Featured guests include Ambassador David John Newman, Republic of Botswana; Ambassador Haidara Mamadou, Republic of Cote D’Ivoire; Ambassador Monica N. Nashandi, Republic of Namibia; Heather Lanigan, U.S. Trade and Development Agency, Regional Director, Sub-Saharan Africa; and Antonio Ceballos, U.S. Commercial Service, Director, Philadelphia, and,. Akaego Okoye, Director Member Relations at The Corporate Council on Africa. The luncheon speaker is Eric Casey, CEO of GT USA, Wilmington, the operator of the Port of Wilmington and part of Gulftainer, the world’s largest private port operator. Last year, 6 out of the 10 fastest growing economies were in Africa. Businesses won’t want to miss this opportunity to link their companies with leaders from African countries with fast growing markets. Read More

January 25, 2019 - Introducing International Delaware© Magazine and Guide to Trade Welcome to the second edition of International Delaware©, a collaboration between the World Trade Center® Delaware and Delaware Business Times. This issue introduces Delaware as the Eastern Gateway to the United States. Our seamless transportation, logistics and distribution system connects all locations and industries within Delaware to the rest of the country. Our physical advantages include being ideally located with a thriving and expanding water port, major interstate highways, passenger and cargo railroad lines, inland ports and distribution centers, the sea level Chesapeake and Delaware (C & D) Canal, and, airports in all three counties. Our alternative Foreign Trade Zone site framework allows for the creation of FTZs anywhere in the state, expanding the logistics and distribution advantages Delaware offers to companies around the world. Companies and individuals come to Delaware from all over the world to connect with innovations in technology developed by Delaware’s companies, academic and biotech research institutions, and industry organizations. Equally important are Delaware’s regulatory, financial, and judicial advantages that make Delaware the “Corporate Capital of the World”. More than one million businesses have their legal home in Delaware including over half of all U.S. publicly-traded companies, and 64% of the Fortune 500 businesses. To read/download your copy, please click the link below: https://bit.ly/2CcbRVV Read More

WTC Delaware Increases Ties with Romania

December 13, 2018 - World Trade Center Delaware hosted H. E. George C. Maior, Ambassador of Romania to the US and delegation to Delaware for visits designed to increase trade between Delaware and Romania. WTC Delaware arranged meetings with the Governor, Secretary of State, the Port of Wilmington a d Gulftainer, the new operator, as well as companies in the agricultural, logistics and defense sectors. The day was capped off by the World Trade Center Delaware Gala 2018 with both of Delaware's US Senators, Tom Carper and Chris Coons, participating and numerous State and foreign officials. Trade missions between Delaware and Romania already are being planned for the coming year as a result of this visit. Read More

International Delaware

January 20, 2018 - World Trade Center Delaware Produces International Business Magazine and Guide to Trade Partnering with Delaware Business Times, World Trade Center Delaware produced World Trade Center International Business magazine, a primer to international trade and culture in the form of a special DBT supplement section to provide information for businesses that want to engage in international trade. It is a directory of services for those that want to do business globally and features Delaware’s leading international companies, large and small. It shows just why businesses from around the world choose to locate and flourish in Delaware. This directory and informational supplement will be used by WTC Delaware, State of Delaware and Federal government agencies, and partners, members, and readers around the world throughout the year. To download your copy, click on http://www.delawarebusinesstimes.com/digital/WTC/ Read More