STATE LEADS DELEGATION TO AFRICA AEROSPACE & DEFENSE 2018, AWARDS EXPORTMD GRANTS TO COMPANIES
Five companies are utilizing ExportMD grants to travel to AAD 2018
BALTIMORE, MD (September 19, 2018) – The Maryland Department of Commerce is leading a delegation of six companies this week to Africa Aerospace & Defense 2018 in Tshwane, South Africa, the largest exhibition of its kind on the African continent, held September 19-23. This is the second time Maryland has led a delegation to this biennial tradeshow, which attracts attendees from over 100 countries around the world.
“This is a unique opportunity for Maryland to reach many of the world’s largest aerospace and defense companies and share that our state is open for business with this international audience,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “With more than 30,000 attendees from around the globe, having a strong presence at this event is critical to our companies looking to market their products and services to new customers.”
The companies exhibiting at the show include ABSI Defense (St. Mary’s County); Avian (St. Mary’s County); Department 13 (Howard County); Encore Solutions (Montgomery County); Maxtena (Montgomery County); and Murray Corporation (Baltimore County). Five of these companies received funding through Commerce’s ExportMD program to travel abroad for the tradeshow. Additionally, each company is using the FlexEx program, through Maryland’s international office in Durban, South Africa, to set up business meetings overseas. Learn about these programs and other resources for growing globally online.
“Since our ExportMD program began almost 20 years ago, we have been able to help hundreds of Maryland companies attend trade shows, and connect with business partners and customers around the world,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill. “As a result, many companies have been able secure new contracts and sales, which has led to increased revenues and new jobs.”
“Encore Solutions, Inc. (ESI) is honored to have another opportunity to join the Maryland Commerce delegation, which has helped us establish our footprint in foreign markets as we continue to grow our business internationally,” said Dr. Nicole Priester, president and CEO of ESI.
In addition to the five companies exhibiting at Africa Aerospace and Defense, nine other small and mid-sized Maryland companies have been awarded ExportMD grants to help promote their products and services in the global marketplace. The next application deadline is October 1, 2018 and eligibility requirements can be found on the Commerce website.
Established in 1999, the ExportMD program provides matching grants up to $5,000 from Commerce’s Office of International Investment and Trade. ExportMD is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, which has awarded multiple State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grants to Maryland Commerce to help fund the program.
July-August 2018 ExportMD grant recipients
Anne Arundel County
Purview
Baltimore County
DMS, North America LLC
InstantLabs Medical Device Corporation
IZI Medical Products
Howard County
Department 13
NetGlo Corporation
Montgomery County
Encore Solutions, Inc.
InfraTrac, Inc.
Maxtena, Inc.
SonoWorld (The Monroe Companies)
Tri Tuns, LLC
Weinberg Medical Physics, Inc.
St. Mary’s County
ABSI Defense
Avian, Inc.
About Maryland Commerce
The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State’s many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit commerce.maryland.gov.
