Halifax County is home to a number of international businesses,
including Swiss company ABB which has been a member of our community since 1968.
Other international businesses include Gloster (United Kingdom), BHK (Germany), Tvilum (Denmark), Hilden (France), and 2bKool (New Zealand).
Virginia Economic Development Partnership offers a number of international services:
VEDP's Division of International Trade conducts international trade missions to promote Virginia products and services in foreign markets. The VEDP also hosts foreign trade delegations and arranges meetings between Virginia firms and these potential foreign buyers.
The VALET Program is an Innovative program to assist companies throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia as they expand their business with international export trade. It offers a powerful combination of capital resources from the state and professional services from private-sector partners to enhance the international efforts of up to 15 companies per year. This program is the first of its kind in the United States.
Other helpful links for international business:
Virginia Business Resources
The Virginia Port Authority provides port operations, services, stats and international trade development news.
Virginia Stat provides statistics on business, demographics and the economy of Virginia.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services promotes economic growth and development of Virginia's agriculture.
Customs and Licensing
U.S. Customs handles issues from duties, import clearance, and required Shipper's Export Declaration (SED); the Customs website also has general export information and links to other Federal Government web sites.
The Trade Compliance Center helps U.S. exporters benefit from trade agreements; the website includes a trade agreement database, market access information and links.
The U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security controls exports, develops export control policies and issues export licenses; the website includes search options and press releases.
The Institute for Standards and Technology works with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements and standards; the website includes links, search options, publications and upcoming events.
The Virginia Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization that represents businesses at both the state and federal level; the website covers government affairs, publications, news releases and Virginia links.
The World Trade Organization provides a forum for trade negotiations, handles trade disputes and monitors trade policies in cooperation with other international organizations.
Financing
The Virginia Dept. of Business Assistance - Financing provides a one-stop-service for technical assistance related to business formation, access to capital, and workforce development.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) places a priority on helping small business exporters by providing a number of loan programs specifically designed to help them develop or expand their export activities.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) funds various forms of technical assistance, early investment analysis, training, reverse trade missions and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment.
The Export-Import Bank of the United States supports the financing of U.S. goods and services, turning export opportunities into real transactions. Assumes credit and country risks the private sector is unable or unwilling to accept.
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is the U.S. Government's development finance institution. It mobilizes private capital to help solve critical world challenges.
The World Bank offers loans, advice, and an array of customized resources to more than 100 developing countries and countries in transition.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, and facilitate international trade.
BAFT-IFSA is a global financial services association formed by the merger of the Bankers' Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT) and the International Financial Services Association (IFSA). Provides advocacy, education and community-building opportunities for financial services institutions and suppliers around the globe.
The Inter-American Development Bank provides the largest source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Associations
The American Association of Exporters and Importers is a national association representing U.S. corporations involved in importing and exporting before the Executive Branch, Congress and regulatory agencies.
The Virginia State Bar regulates the legal profession in Virginia. Site includes Virginia Lawyer Referral Services as well as law-related information.
The Virginia Society of CPA's is the professional association for Certified Public Accountants in the Commonwealth of Virginia; use their wesite to find a CPA who is licensed to practice in Virginia.
The American Translators Association is the largest professional association of translators and interpreters in the U.S.
The Federation of International Trade Associations promotes international trade by strengthening the role of associations in North America that have an international mission.
The Export Legal Assistance Network (ELAN) is a program through which international trade attorneys from the Federal Bar Association provide free initial consultations to small businesses interested in starting export operations.
