CAPE GIRARDEAU GETS SATELLITE FOR WORLD TRADE

A company in Tokyo wanting a product made in the United States can receive all the information on companies manufacturing that product within minutes.

Ditto, a company of Cape Girardeau wanting to buy or sell on the international market.

"We wanted more free trade and we have it," said Susan Inslee, during an appearance at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee. "Everyone is impacted by foreign trade, and the opportunity is here to link area companies with markets throughout the world."

Inslee, director of the World Trade Center of St. Louis, announced during the Friday meeting that a satellite office of the center had been established at the Small Business Development Center at Southeast Missouri State University.

The World Trade Center of St. Louis is one of 280 centers in more than 81 countries, each with a goal of promoting and helping to establish international trade.

The connection here will open trading opportunities for area businesses and expand their international potential, Inslee said. "It will allow companies to position themselves for world trade, whether they are a home-based arts and craft business or a major industrial company."

The satellite office here, 222 N. Pacific, is the fifth to be affiliated with the World Trade Center of St. Louis. Others are in Springfield, St. Peters, Jefferson County and downtown St. Louis.

"We're excited about the new affiliation," said Buz Sutherland, director small business center. "This will link our office to 150 World Trade Center data bases covering more than 50,000 sources of information, via computer terminal, modem and telephone."

A special "International Trade: Getting Started" introductory seminar has been scheduled in Cape Girardeau, to be held at the University Center's Indian Room March 28, from 8 to 11 a.m.

Registration to attend this session is $15.

"We'll be discussing a number of topics," said Stacy Engles Wipfler, international trade specialist with the World Trade Center. Subjects include evaluating import-export potential; identifying market opportunities, transportation of goods and getting paid.

Wipfler is no stranger to Cape Girardeau. She is the daughter of Steve Engles, owner of KBSI-TV here, and attended Southeast Missouri State University for some courses. She is a graduate of Georgetown School of Foreign Service.

Wipfler has worked with university officials to establish the satellite office and will serve as liaison between the local branch and the St. Louis office.

A number of services will be available to businesses through the World Trade Center and the satellite office, including international business counseling, education and training programs, trade information and research services, an international trade library and assistance with export pricing, documentation and shipping.

The World trade Center specializes in arranging contact between small business and foreign buyers and suppliers. "The center can provide direct assistance to firms just developing as well as those wishing to expand their international activities said Wipfler.

"This will be like having an agent or an office in another country," she said.