FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 20, 2001

Portland WebSmith Invited To Technology Forum in Eastern Asia

Portland WebSmith is one of a hundred companies selected throughout the world by the Japanese External Trade Organization (JETRO) to participate in the seventh Techno Business Forum in February 2001.

JETRO, a governmental organization promoting international trade and investment, has invited Ian Harvie, the president of WebSmith, to travel to Tokyo and Sendai, Japan Jan. 30 through Feb. 11. While there, she will offer her company's web development services to thousands of Japanese companies in need of assistance with their web presence.

Japan's information/telecommunications industry has grown tremendously in recent years, accounting for 13% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 1998. To promote more international exchanges, JETRO organizes various programs to create opportunities for companies interested in technical tie-ups, business alliances, and other business relationships. Techno Business Forum is one of these programs. This year the program focuses on IT/Networking. JETRO hopes to provide both overseas and Japanese companies with a chance to explore the potential for business partnerships.

"WebSmith's trade mission is two-fold. I hope to cultivate new business partnerships with companies as well as strengthen the economic sisterhood between Japan and Maine," Harvie said. "Maine and Japan have similar cultural values, economies, and geographical climates."    
- Ian Harvie

Gov. Angus King and the Maine International Trade Center (MITC) have long recognized these similarities with numerous trade missions to Aomori, Japan, Maine's sister state.

"I had been courting (talking with/working with) Dallas Pyle, MITC's senior trade officer, since last April on how to do business with other countries," Harvie added. "Had it not been for my alliance with him and my membership with the MITC, I would not have known the first thing about doing business internationally or about this fantastic opportunity."   
 - Ian Harvie


For more information, please contact:
Ian Harvie at ian@portlandwebsmith.com