April 22, 1997

South Carolina Export Consortium:

Columbia  --  The South Carolina Export Consortium has been formed to respond to the demand for export assistance in South Carolina, clearly communicated in a recent landmark survey conducted by the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Export Vision 2000: A Benchmark Study of Exports and South Carolina Business, according to Lt. Governor Bob Peeler and a coalition of public and private partners.

Lt. Governor Peeler serves as honorary chairman of the South Carolina Export Consortium, which is an affiliate of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

"There is no doubt opportunities for growth in the global market place abound for South Carolina companies," said Peeler. "After all, we have the best products and the best workers in the world. The South Carolina Export Consortium will help South Carolina companies examine their possibilities in the global marketplace and provide customized support. Increased sales can only result in growing companies and more jobs for our citizens."

"I am not only impressed with what the South Carolina Export Consortium has to offer, I am thrilled at the broad range of partners from the private, public and academic sectors who have come together to make this customized assistance available. This type of cooperation is what has made and continues to make South Carolina a world leader in the international business community."

Studies have shown companies that export have higher job growth and productivity, a 25 percent better composite growth rate than their non-exporting counterparts, and are responsible for nearly two-thirds of the United States economic growth during the past decade.

This private, public and academic partnership, modeled after a pilot program at the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, is designed to guide companies through an export development process by providing customized export assessment, consulting and client management, and education and training. The South Carolina Export Consortium goal for the first year is to help facilitate the creation of 1,500 new jobs to help increase the export sales of South Carolina companies by $30 to $50 million, which will result in expanded growth of our industrial base and usage of South Carolina ports.

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce has formed an initial partnership with 10 local chambers to provide a local delivery system for the Export Consortium. Participating local chambers of commerce are Aiken, Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Greer, Greenville, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, Rock Hill, and Spartanburg.

Because of the commitment of the partners, all customized consulting services provided by the Consortium are at no charge. Companies wishing to take advantage of the Export Consortium assistance may call the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the Upper Savannah Council of Government in Greenwood, Partners Economic Development Corporation in Conway, their participating local chamber of commerce, or the Export Consortium office at 803-777-4404 or 803-777-8870, Fax: 803-777-4403.

Partners supporting the South Carolina Export Consortium include Alumax of South Carolina, Inc.; BB&T of South Carolina; BellSouth; Blue Cross and Blue Shield of S.C.; Carolina Power & Light Company; CSX Transportation; Duke Power Company; NationsBank; SCANA Corporation; Southeastern Freight Lines; UPS; Wachovia Bank of South Carolina; S.C. Department of Commerce; U.S. Department of Commerce; S.C. State Ports Authority; Clemson University; University of South Carolina; USC Export Financial Services Division; S.C. Department of Agriculture; Greenville, Midlands and Trident Technical Colleges; Appalachian, Lower and Upper Savannah Councils of Government; Upper Savannah International Trade Association; Carolina Capital Investment Corporation; S.C. World Trade Center - Charleston; World Trade Center/GSP, Inc.; Midlands International Trade Association; District Export Council; Columbia World Affairs Council; Enterprise Development, Inc.; Statewide Minority Business Development Center; Frank L. Roddey Small Business Development Center; DESA, Inc.; Global Trade Information Services, Inc.; Richland School District 1; U.S. Small Business Administration; S.C. Educational Television; S.C. Forestry Commission; and Transcon Trading Company, Inc.

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is the state's largest broad-based business and industry trade association, representing more than 2,400 member companies.