TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sustaining Members ......... 2

Roundtable Members ........ 2

President’s Letter ............. 2

Canada Desk ................... 3

Trade Mission Wrap Up ..... 4

Invest in Maine Update ..... 4

FEATURED MEMBER: Sea Bags ......................... 5

What’s Ahead ................... 6

NEW MEMBERS

Global Study ConnectionsDover Foxcroft, ME

Tyler’s Maple LLC DBA Maine GoldRockland, ME

Village Candle, Inc.Wells, ME

Phone: (207) 541-7400 • Email: info@mitc.com • Website: www.mitc.com

GLOBALVIEWDECEMBER 2013

One of Maine’s leading trade partners since the colonial period, the United Kingdom is often an early choice for businesses exploring international business. With a population of 63 million and GDP of $2.4 trillion, the UK is the 6th largest economy in the world. Maine exported $58 million to the UK in 2012 in a broad range of industrial categories, from wood pulp to aircraft parts. In all, the UK ranked 9th of the state’s export partners.

Though smaller, the Nordic countries of Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland represent interesting opportunities for Maine’s business community. Following the recent investment by the Icelandic national shipping line, Eimskip, at Portland’s International Marine Terminal, Maine now has easy containerized access to major and minor ports across the North Atlantic. Total New England exports to these markets are valued at $914 million.

Meanwhile, inbound ocean freight from northern Europe continues to grow. In only 8 months of direct service, Portland has become the 11th leading import gateway for products coming to the US from the Nordic countries, and 3rd largest in the Northeast after Newark and Philadelphia. Imported items such as frozen fish and bottled water have been making their way through Portland, but many other items, including vodka and other foods, have strong potential in the US market.

Northern linkages will be the theme of two 2014 initiatives for Maine International Trade Center. In the spring, a business delegation will visit Iceland and the UK; trade and investment events are being considered for other Nordic destinations to help establish and expand ties across the North Atlantic. In May, Maine International Trade Day 2014 will feature “The New North” highlighting opportunities in Canadian and Northern European trade and investment. More information will be coming soon.

Northern European Markets Emerging as Targets for Maine Companies

GlobalView is sponsored by:

M A I N E I N T E R N A T I O N A L T R A D E C E N T E R B I - M O N T H LY N E W S L E T T E R

WHAT’S AHEAD WHAT’S INSIDE

Saudi Arabia: New PossibilitiesWednesday, January 22, 2014

12:00 - 1:00 PM (Lunch & Learn Program)Portland, ME

Sponsored by KeyBank

Africa: Maine Education’s Next FrontierTuesday, February 4, 2014

2:00- 5:00 PMBangor, ME

Sponsored by TD Bank

Northern European Markets Emerging as Targets for Maine Companies

Canada Desk: Improving the U.S.– Canada Trade Relationship

FEATURED MEMBER: Sea Bags

Mexico & Colombia Trade Mission Wrap Up

Invest in Maine Update

Non-Profit Org.Presort Standard

U.S. Postage

PAID Portland, MEPermit No. 218

Global Resources. Local Expertise.

The Southern Maine Program Series is sponsored by

The Central Maine Program Series is sponsored by

Read the full article at www.mitc.com

Tacking to Better Leverage Partner Resources Defines New Approach for International SalesA few years ago, Sea Bags was actively pursuing export opportunities around the globe. With a limited supply of raw material and higher costs of international sales cutting into profit margins, President Beth Shissler realized that the company needed to rethink their strategy for making Sea Bags a global brand. Shissler is currently shifting the company’s international sales approach to establishing distribution channels in specific target markets and licensing major partners such as J.Crew and Tommy Bahama to sell their products outside the US.

The key niche for Sea Bags is that their products are manufactured with recycled sails that have actually been sailed. Visible signs such as rust or stains give the products character and results in every item being unique. In keeping with one of the company’s core values of sustainability, after a sail is cut into panels for the highly popular tote bags, the smaller scraps are used to produce a diverse and growing line of accessories and household items including change purses, eyeglass cases, and coasters.

“We’re selling a lifestyle product,” Shissler explained. “Whether the appeal is primarily coastal, sporting, or green, our customer is anyone who aspires to the lifestyle. There is a clear market for handcrafted, one-of-a-kind – I would almost call it curated – products that we make.”

“In general, made in the USA has value globally,” Shissler commented. “We know that made in Maine definitely has value in Japan, but our reputation for high quality craftsmanship is not as well known in the Middle East yet.”

While Japan is currently the company’s most active international market, Sea Bags recently signed agreements with distributors in the Middle East and Australia. Finding distributors who were very knowledgeable about the market/competing products with the ability to handle all steps in the sales process through collections was critical, according to Shissler.

FEATURED MEMBER

Sea Bags designs and hand stitches

tote bags and accessories from recycled

sails. Founded by Hannah Kubiak in

1999 and incorporated with partner Beth

Shissler in 2006, the company currently

has 30 employees. Located in the heart

of Portland’s working waterfront on

Custom House Wharf, they are currently

in the process of expanding their head-

quarters from 1,500 to 4,500 square

feet. In addition to the storefront at the

Portland location, Sea Bags opened

a retail shop in Freeport last year. The

company’s three driving principles are

sustainability in product and practice,

giving back to the community, and

commitment to Maine-based domestic

manufacturing. Sea Bags has been a

MITC Member since December 2008.

Norway has an extensive base of expertise in the maritime sector. The Global Maritime Knowledge Hub (GMKH) represents the largest private funded research initiative in Norway and involves eight R&D institutes, 25 donors, and over $17 million per year in funding. Shown here the harbor in Svovlsvaer, Lofoten, Norway.

President Beth Shissler (left) and Founder Hannah Kubiak, both Maine natives, have been business partners and co-owners of Sea Bags since 2006.

Phot

o co

urte

sy o

f Sea

Bag

s

The State of Maine Trade Mission to Mexico & Colombia on October 27 - November 2 was Governor Paul LePage’s second and the first trade mission from Maine to visit Colombia. The delegation included 8 companies, three educational institutions, and industry associations. The business delegation held a total of 64 matchmaking meetings with potential agents, distributors, and partners. Governor LePage and rep- resentatives of the three educational institutions participated in two

promotional programs hosted by EducationUSA and attended by students and parents actively interested in studying in the United States. In addition, Governor LePage met with the Ministry of Education in Colombia to discuss opportunities for exchanges and English educa-tion. The State of Maine Reception in Mexico City attracted over 100 attendees from business, government, and academia, while the State of Maine Luncheon in Bogota featured 75 mostly business attendees.

Sustaining Roundtable MembersAtlantic Canada Opportunities AgencyBangor Hydro Electric CompanyBerryDunnCanadian Consulate General - BostonEaton PeabodyEimskip Emera, Inc.Fairchild Semiconductor IDEXX LaboratoriesKey BankMaine Department of Economic & Community DevelopmentMaine Lobster Promotion Council Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority Oxford NetworksTD BankTex Tech Industries Unum

President’s Roundtable Members Bangor International AirportBangor Savings BankBank of America Merrill Lynch Barber Foods, Inc.BDN MaineBernstein Shur Burgess Advertising & Marketing CianbroDiversified Business CommunicationsFinance Authority of Maine Hardwood Products Co./ Puritan Medical ProductsHussey Seating CompanyL.L.Bean, Inc.MainebizMaine Center for Creativity Maine Manufacturing Extension PartnershipMaine Maritime AcademyMaine Port AuthorityMaine Technology InstituteNomad PicturesOCEANAIR Inc.Pierce Atwood, LLPSappi Fine Paper North AmericaSprague Energy CorporationUK Trade & Investment University of MaineUPSVerrill Dana, LLP Woodland Pulp, LLC

Dear Members and Friends of MITC,

This is a time when we look back and review all our accomplishments – trade missions, trade shows, and educational events – and forward toward a new year filled with promise and exciting opportunities.

I personally would like to thank the MITC staff for all of their efforts in 2013. We had a year packed with trade education events, trade shows and missions, and the best Maine Interna-tional Trade Day ever. As usual, they rose to the challenges and delivered one of our most productive years to date. The MITC Board and I truly appreciate it!

We continue to follow up on our fall Trade Mission to Mexico and Colombia, and we encourage com-panies that were not able to participate to contact us, as we have established a number of new contacts and trade relationships in those markets.

We are looking at a potential mission to Iceland and Northern Europe in the spring and will keep you apprised as those details come together. Obviously, with our new connectivity through Eimskip and discussions with Icelandair, Maine has more options than ever for shipping exports and bringing in imports at very competitive prices. We are currently establishing linkages with a number of Icelandic businesses and Northern European trade groups as we research opportunities and potential in these markets.

As we plan for some very big initiatives in 2014, we hope that you will incorporate MITC in your planning for the New Year. We will have new international market reports coming in for various in-dustry sectors. I encourage you to reach out to us if we can assist in your new market and new product development efforts.

I wish you all Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year!

Sincerely,

Janine Bisaillon-Cary, President

PRESIDENT’S PAGE CANADA DESK

Emera Companies

Maine Public ServiceThe Canada Desk is sponsored by

Mexico & Colombia Trade Mission Wrap Up

For more information contact Jeff Bennett, Canada Desk Director, at jbennett@mitc.com or 207-553-7709

In the State of Queretaro, approximately two hours north of Mexico City, (from left) President of Dalegip America Inc. Manuel Rivadeneyra Diaz, GAC Chemical Corporation President David Colter, MITC President Janine Bisaillon-Cary, Governor Paul LePage, President of PRI Queretaro Tonatiuh Salinas, and GAC Chemical Corporation Vice President John Wolanski.

Working Together: Improving the U.S. – Canada Trade Relationship

On February 4, 2011, Beyond the Border, a Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness – a joint declaration for a shared approach to security in the post 9/11 world – was made by United States President Barack Obama and Canada Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) was created, with the goal of promoting economic growth and job creation and providing benefits to consumers and businesses through increased regulatory transparency and coordination.

Beginning in January of this year, harmonized value thresholds for expedited customs clearance went into effect. Previous levels were $2,000 in the United States and $1,600 in Canada, the current level is now $2,500 in both countries. In addition, Canada has increased the low-value shipment threshold to CDN $2,500 for exemption from North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Certificate of Origin requirements, aligning it with the current US threshold. These standardized values make it easier, faster, and less costly for Canadian and American businesses to move goods across our shared border.

There are currently 29 additional initiatives underway within the agriculture, transportation, environment, and health & personal care product sectors; everything from food safety to vehicle emissions standards. Our economies are highly integrated in many ways. For Maine companies that export or do business between Canada and the US, these joint initiatives have the potential to make a real difference in your company’s bottom line.

In early 2014, Maine International Trade Center (MITC) will host our annual Canada Day program focused on what the Beyond the Border initiatives mean to you. Stay tuned for more details.

MITC’s Invest in Maine initiative recently welcomed a new Managing Director, Alison Semple of the foreign investment firm OCO Global. In mid- October, Alison and her colleague Julia Mills visited Maine for a week and met with about 25 companies from a variety of sectors to gain a better understanding of the opportunities that Maine offers for investment and cooperative work with international companies. The visit included meetings

and tours at the new Molnlycke facility at Brunswick Landing, Maine Midcoast Rede-velopment Authority, Harbor Technologies, LLC, SMCC Composites Laboratory, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Biovation II, LLC, and the University of Maine research facilities for composites and forest products in Orono.

“Our visit to Maine was extremely productive,” Semple said. “We gained valuable insight into the very innovative work taking place across sectors from seafood processing to the impressive research going on in composites and textiles. All the company representatives we met gave us such a warm welcome. We really look forward to working with them in the future.”

OCO Global is headquartered in Belfast with offices in London, Paris, and New York. Alison and Julia will work from their location in London to develop leads and represent Maine at various industry events and trade shows in the aviation, advanced materials, food processing, life sciences, and renewable energy sectors.

Invest in Maine Welcomes New Director and Broadens Industry Focus

The Maine delegation concluded the Mexico portion of the trade mission at the State of Maine Reception with over 100 attendees. Governor Paul LePage and MITC President Janine Bisaillon-Cary spoke at the event promoting Maine as a great place to visit, study, and invest.

(From left) During a recent visit to Maine, Alison Semple, the new Managing Director of MITC’s Invest in Maine initiative, and MITC President Janine Bisaillon-Cary visited the Composites Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) of Southern Maine Community College at Brunswick Landing and met with Director Andrew Schoenberg.

The State of Maine Trade Mission to Mexico & Colombia on October 27 - November 2 was Governor Paul LePage’s second and the first trade mission from Maine to visit Colombia. The delegation included 8 companies, three educational institutions, and industry associations. The business delegation held a total of 64 matchmaking meetings with potential agents, distributors, and partners. Governor LePage and rep- resentatives of the three educational institutions participated in two

promotional programs hosted by EducationUSA and attended by students and parents actively interested in studying in the United States. In addition, Governor LePage met with the Ministry of Education in Colombia to discuss opportunities for exchanges and English educa-tion. The State of Maine Reception in Mexico City attracted over 100 attendees from business, government, and academia, while the State of Maine Luncheon in Bogota featured 75 mostly business attendees.

Sustaining Roundtable MembersAtlantic Canada Opportunities AgencyBangor Hydro Electric CompanyBerryDunnCanadian Consulate General - BostonEaton PeabodyEimskip Emera, Inc.Fairchild Semiconductor IDEXX LaboratoriesKey BankMaine Department of Economic & Community DevelopmentMaine Lobster Promotion Council Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority Oxford NetworksTD BankTex Tech Industries Unum

President’s Roundtable Members Bangor International AirportBangor Savings BankBank of America Merrill Lynch Barber Foods, Inc.BDN MaineBernstein Shur Burgess Advertising & Marketing CianbroDiversified Business CommunicationsFinance Authority of Maine Hardwood Products Co./ Puritan Medical ProductsHussey Seating CompanyL.L.Bean, Inc.MainebizMaine Center for Creativity Maine Manufacturing Extension PartnershipMaine Maritime AcademyMaine Port AuthorityMaine Technology InstituteNomad PicturesOCEANAIR Inc.Pierce Atwood, LLPSappi Fine Paper North AmericaSprague Energy CorporationUK Trade & Investment University of MaineUPSVerrill Dana, LLP Woodland Pulp, LLC

Dear Members and Friends of MITC,

This is a time when we look back and review all our accomplishments – trade missions, trade shows, and educational events – and forward toward a new year filled with promise and exciting opportunities.

I personally would like to thank the MITC staff for all of their efforts in 2013. We had a year packed with trade education events, trade shows and missions, and the best Maine Interna-tional Trade Day ever. As usual, they rose to the challenges and delivered one of our most productive years to date. The MITC Board and I truly appreciate it!

We continue to follow up on our fall Trade Mission to Mexico and Colombia, and we encourage com-panies that were not able to participate to contact us, as we have established a number of new contacts and trade relationships in those markets.

We are looking at a potential mission to Iceland and Northern Europe in the spring and will keep you apprised as those details come together. Obviously, with our new connectivity through Eimskip and discussions with Icelandair, Maine has more options than ever for shipping exports and bringing in imports at very competitive prices. We are currently establishing linkages with a number of Icelandic businesses and Northern European trade groups as we research opportunities and potential in these markets.

As we plan for some very big initiatives in 2014, we hope that you will incorporate MITC in your planning for the New Year. We will have new international market reports coming in for various in-dustry sectors. I encourage you to reach out to us if we can assist in your new market and new product development efforts.

I wish you all Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year!

Sincerely,

Janine Bisaillon-Cary, President

PRESIDENT’S PAGE CANADA DESK

Emera Companies

Maine Public ServiceThe Canada Desk is sponsored by

Mexico & Colombia Trade Mission Wrap Up

For more information contact Jeff Bennett, Canada Desk Director, at jbennett@mitc.com or 207-553-7709

In the State of Queretaro, approximately two hours north of Mexico City, (from left) President of Dalegip America Inc. Manuel Rivadeneyra Diaz, GAC Chemical Corporation President David Colter, MITC President Janine Bisaillon-Cary, Governor Paul LePage, President of PRI Queretaro Tonatiuh Salinas, and GAC Chemical Corporation Vice President John Wolanski.

Working Together: Improving the U.S. – Canada Trade Relationship

On February 4, 2011, Beyond the Border, a Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness – a joint declaration for a shared approach to security in the post 9/11 world – was made by United States President Barack Obama and Canada Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) was created, with the goal of promoting economic growth and job creation and providing benefits to consumers and businesses through increased regulatory transparency and coordination.

Beginning in January of this year, harmonized value thresholds for expedited customs clearance went into effect. Previous levels were $2,000 in the United States and $1,600 in Canada, the current level is now $2,500 in both countries. In addition, Canada has increased the low-value shipment threshold to CDN $2,500 for exemption from North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Certificate of Origin requirements, aligning it with the current US threshold. These standardized values make it easier, faster, and less costly for Canadian and American businesses to move goods across our shared border.

There are currently 29 additional initiatives underway within the agriculture, transportation, environment, and health & personal care product sectors; everything from food safety to vehicle emissions standards. Our economies are highly integrated in many ways. For Maine companies that export or do business between Canada and the US, these joint initiatives have the potential to make a real difference in your company’s bottom line.

In early 2014, Maine International Trade Center (MITC) will host our annual Canada Day program focused on what the Beyond the Border initiatives mean to you. Stay tuned for more details.

MITC’s Invest in Maine initiative recently welcomed a new Managing Director, Alison Semple of the foreign investment firm OCO Global. In mid- October, Alison and her colleague Julia Mills visited Maine for a week and met with about 25 companies from a variety of sectors to gain a better understanding of the opportunities that Maine offers for investment and cooperative work with international companies. The visit included meetings

and tours at the new Molnlycke facility at Brunswick Landing, Maine Midcoast Rede-velopment Authority, Harbor Technologies, LLC, SMCC Composites Laboratory, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Biovation II, LLC, and the University of Maine research facilities for composites and forest products in Orono.

“Our visit to Maine was extremely productive,” Semple said. “We gained valuable insight into the very innovative work taking place across sectors from seafood processing to the impressive research going on in composites and textiles. All the company representatives we met gave us such a warm welcome. We really look forward to working with them in the future.”

OCO Global is headquartered in Belfast with offices in London, Paris, and New York. Alison and Julia will work from their location in London to develop leads and represent Maine at various industry events and trade shows in the aviation, advanced materials, food processing, life sciences, and renewable energy sectors.

Invest in Maine Welcomes New Director and Broadens Industry Focus

The Maine delegation concluded the Mexico portion of the trade mission at the State of Maine Reception with over 100 attendees. Governor Paul LePage and MITC President Janine Bisaillon-Cary spoke at the event promoting Maine as a great place to visit, study, and invest.

(From left) During a recent visit to Maine, Alison Semple, the new Managing Director of MITC’s Invest in Maine initiative, and MITC President Janine Bisaillon-Cary visited the Composites Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) of Southern Maine Community College at Brunswick Landing and met with Director Andrew Schoenberg.

The State of Maine Trade Mission to Mexico & Colombia on October 27 - November 2 was Governor Paul LePage’s second and the first trade mission from Maine to visit Colombia. The delegation included 8 companies, three educational institutions, and industry associations. The business delegation held a total of 64 matchmaking meetings with potential agents, distributors, and partners. Governor LePage and rep- resentatives of the three educational institutions participated in two

promotional programs hosted by EducationUSA and attended by students and parents actively interested in studying in the United States. In addition, Governor LePage met with the Ministry of Education in Colombia to discuss opportunities for exchanges and English educa-tion. The State of Maine Reception in Mexico City attracted over 100 attendees from business, government, and academia, while the State of Maine Luncheon in Bogota featured 75 mostly business attendees.

Sustaining Roundtable MembersAtlantic Canada Opportunities AgencyBangor Hydro Electric CompanyBerryDunnCanadian Consulate General - BostonEaton PeabodyEimskip Emera, Inc.Fairchild Semiconductor IDEXX LaboratoriesKey BankMaine Department of Economic & Community DevelopmentMaine Lobster Promotion Council Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority Oxford NetworksTD BankTex Tech Industries Unum

President’s Roundtable Members Bangor International AirportBangor Savings BankBank of America Merrill Lynch Barber Foods, Inc.BDN MaineBernstein Shur Burgess Advertising & Marketing CianbroDiversified Business CommunicationsFinance Authority of Maine Hardwood Products Co./ Puritan Medical ProductsHussey Seating CompanyL.L.Bean, Inc.MainebizMaine Center for Creativity Maine Manufacturing Extension PartnershipMaine Maritime AcademyMaine Port AuthorityMaine Technology InstituteNomad PicturesOCEANAIR Inc.Pierce Atwood, LLPSappi Fine Paper North AmericaSprague Energy CorporationUK Trade & Investment University of MaineUPSVerrill Dana, LLP Woodland Pulp, LLC

Dear Members and Friends of MITC,

This is a time when we look back and review all our accomplishments – trade missions, trade shows, and educational events – and forward toward a new year filled with promise and exciting opportunities.

I personally would like to thank the MITC staff for all of their efforts in 2013. We had a year packed with trade education events, trade shows and missions, and the best Maine Interna-tional Trade Day ever. As usual, they rose to the challenges and delivered one of our most productive years to date. The MITC Board and I truly appreciate it!

We continue to follow up on our fall Trade Mission to Mexico and Colombia, and we encourage com-panies that were not able to participate to contact us, as we have established a number of new contacts and trade relationships in those markets.

We are looking at a potential mission to Iceland and Northern Europe in the spring and will keep you apprised as those details come together. Obviously, with our new connectivity through Eimskip and discussions with Icelandair, Maine has more options than ever for shipping exports and bringing in imports at very competitive prices. We are currently establishing linkages with a number of Icelandic businesses and Northern European trade groups as we research opportunities and potential in these markets.

As we plan for some very big initiatives in 2014, we hope that you will incorporate MITC in your planning for the New Year. We will have new international market reports coming in for various in-dustry sectors. I encourage you to reach out to us if we can assist in your new market and new product development efforts.

I wish you all Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year!

Sincerely,

Janine Bisaillon-Cary, President

PRESIDENT’S PAGE CANADA DESK

Emera Companies

Maine Public ServiceThe Canada Desk is sponsored by

Mexico & Colombia Trade Mission Wrap Up

For more information contact Jeff Bennett, Canada Desk Director, at jbennett@mitc.com or 207-553-7709

In the State of Queretaro, approximately two hours north of Mexico City, (from left) President of Dalegip America Inc. Manuel Rivadeneyra Diaz, GAC Chemical Corporation President David Colter, MITC President Janine Bisaillon-Cary, Governor Paul LePage, President of PRI Queretaro Tonatiuh Salinas, and GAC Chemical Corporation Vice President John Wolanski.

Working Together: Improving the U.S. – Canada Trade Relationship

On February 4, 2011, Beyond the Border, a Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness – a joint declaration for a shared approach to security in the post 9/11 world – was made by United States President Barack Obama and Canada Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) was created, with the goal of promoting economic growth and job creation and providing benefits to consumers and businesses through increased regulatory transparency and coordination.

Beginning in January of this year, harmonized value thresholds for expedited customs clearance went into effect. Previous levels were $2,000 in the United States and $1,600 in Canada, the current level is now $2,500 in both countries. In addition, Canada has increased the low-value shipment threshold to CDN $2,500 for exemption from North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Certificate of Origin requirements, aligning it with the current US threshold. These standardized values make it easier, faster, and less costly for Canadian and American businesses to move goods across our shared border.

There are currently 29 additional initiatives underway within the agriculture, transportation, environment, and health & personal care product sectors; everything from food safety to vehicle emissions standards. Our economies are highly integrated in many ways. For Maine companies that export or do business between Canada and the US, these joint initiatives have the potential to make a real difference in your company’s bottom line.

In early 2014, Maine International Trade Center (MITC) will host our annual Canada Day program focused on what the Beyond the Border initiatives mean to you. Stay tuned for more details.

MITC’s Invest in Maine initiative recently welcomed a new Managing Director, Alison Semple of the foreign investment firm OCO Global. In mid- October, Alison and her colleague Julia Mills visited Maine for a week and met with about 25 companies from a variety of sectors to gain a better understanding of the opportunities that Maine offers for investment and cooperative work with international companies. The visit included meetings

and tours at the new Molnlycke facility at Brunswick Landing, Maine Midcoast Rede-velopment Authority, Harbor Technologies, LLC, SMCC Composites Laboratory, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Biovation II, LLC, and the University of Maine research facilities for composites and forest products in Orono.

“Our visit to Maine was extremely productive,” Semple said. “We gained valuable insight into the very innovative work taking place across sectors from seafood processing to the impressive research going on in composites and textiles. All the company representatives we met gave us such a warm welcome. We really look forward to working with them in the future.”

OCO Global is headquartered in Belfast with offices in London, Paris, and New York. Alison and Julia will work from their location in London to develop leads and represent Maine at various industry events and trade shows in the aviation, advanced materials, food processing, life sciences, and renewable energy sectors.

Invest in Maine Welcomes New Director and Broadens Industry Focus

The Maine delegation concluded the Mexico portion of the trade mission at the State of Maine Reception with over 100 attendees. Governor Paul LePage and MITC President Janine Bisaillon-Cary spoke at the event promoting Maine as a great place to visit, study, and invest.

(From left) During a recent visit to Maine, Alison Semple, the new Managing Director of MITC’s Invest in Maine initiative, and MITC President Janine Bisaillon-Cary visited the Composites Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) of Southern Maine Community College at Brunswick Landing and met with Director Andrew Schoenberg.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sustaining Members ......... 2

Roundtable Members ........ 2

President’s Letter ............. 2

Canada Desk ................... 3

Trade Mission Wrap Up ..... 4

Invest in Maine Update ..... 4

FEATURED MEMBER: Sea Bags ......................... 5

What’s Ahead ................... 6

NEW MEMBERS

Global Study ConnectionsDover Foxcroft, ME

Tyler’s Maple LLC DBA Maine GoldRockland, ME

Village Candle, Inc.Wells, ME

Phone: (207) 541-7400 • Email: info@mitc.com • Website: www.mitc.com

GLOBALVIEWDECEMBER 2013

One of Maine’s leading trade partners since the colonial period, the United Kingdom is often an early choice for businesses exploring international business. With a population of 63 million and GDP of $2.4 trillion, the UK is the 6th largest economy in the world. Maine exported $58 million to the UK in 2012 in a broad range of industrial categories, from wood pulp to aircraft parts. In all, the UK ranked 9th of the state’s export partners.

Though smaller, the Nordic countries of Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland represent interesting opportunities for Maine’s business community. Following the recent investment by the Icelandic national shipping line, Eimskip, at Portland’s International Marine Terminal, Maine now has easy containerized access to major and minor ports across the North Atlantic. Total New England exports to these markets are valued at $914 million.

Meanwhile, inbound ocean freight from northern Europe continues to grow. In only 8 months of direct service, Portland has become the 11th leading import gateway for products coming to the US from the Nordic countries, and 3rd largest in the Northeast after Newark and Philadelphia. Imported items such as frozen fish and bottled water have been making their way through Portland, but many other items, including vodka and other foods, have strong potential in the US market.

Northern linkages will be the theme of two 2014 initiatives for Maine International Trade Center. In the spring, a business delegation will visit Iceland and the UK; trade and investment events are being considered for other Nordic destinations to help establish and expand ties across the North Atlantic. In May, Maine International Trade Day 2014 will feature “The New North” highlighting opportunities in Canadian and Northern European trade and investment. More information will be coming soon.

Northern European Markets Emerging as Targets for Maine Companies

GlobalView is sponsored by:

M A I N E I N T E R N A T I O N A L T R A D E C E N T E R B I - M O N T H LY N E W S L E T T E R

WHAT’S AHEAD WHAT’S INSIDE

Saudi Arabia: New PossibilitiesWednesday, January 22, 2014

12:00 - 1:00 PM (Lunch & Learn Program)Portland, ME

Sponsored by KeyBank

Africa: Maine Education’s Next FrontierTuesday, February 4, 2014

2:00- 5:00 PMBangor, ME

Sponsored by TD Bank

Northern European Markets Emerging as Targets for Maine Companies

Canada Desk: Improving the U.S.– Canada Trade Relationship

FEATURED MEMBER: Sea Bags

Mexico & Colombia Trade Mission Wrap Up

Invest in Maine Update

Non-Profit Org.Presort Standard

U.S. Postage

PAID Portland, MEPermit No. 218

Global Resources. Local Expertise.

The Southern Maine Program Series is sponsored by

The Central Maine Program Series is sponsored by

Read the full article at www.mitc.com

Tacking to Better Leverage Partner Resources Defines New Approach for International SalesA few years ago, Sea Bags was actively pursuing export opportunities around the globe. With a limited supply of raw material and higher costs of international sales cutting into profit margins, President Beth Shissler realized that the company needed to rethink their strategy for making Sea Bags a global brand. Shissler is currently shifting the company’s international sales approach to establishing distribution channels in specific target markets and licensing major partners such as J.Crew and Tommy Bahama to sell their products outside the US.

The key niche for Sea Bags is that their products are manufactured with recycled sails that have actually been sailed. Visible signs such as rust or stains give the products character and results in every item being unique. In keeping with one of the company’s core values of sustainability, after a sail is cut into panels for the highly popular tote bags, the smaller scraps are used to produce a diverse and growing line of accessories and household items including change purses, eyeglass cases, and coasters.

“We’re selling a lifestyle product,” Shissler explained. “Whether the appeal is primarily coastal, sporting, or green, our customer is anyone who aspires to the lifestyle. There is a clear market for handcrafted, one-of-a-kind – I would almost call it curated – products that we make.”

“In general, made in the USA has value globally,” Shissler commented. “We know that made in Maine definitely has value in Japan, but our reputation for high quality craftsmanship is not as well known in the Middle East yet.”

While Japan is currently the company’s most active international market, Sea Bags recently signed agreements with distributors in the Middle East and Australia. Finding distributors who were very knowledgeable about the market/competing products with the ability to handle all steps in the sales process through collections was critical, according to Shissler.

FEATURED MEMBER

Sea Bags designs and hand stitches

tote bags and accessories from recycled

sails. Founded by Hannah Kubiak in

1999 and incorporated with partner Beth

Shissler in 2006, the company currently

has 30 employees. Located in the heart

of Portland’s working waterfront on

Custom House Wharf, they are currently

in the process of expanding their head-

quarters from 1,500 to 4,500 square

feet. In addition to the storefront at the

Portland location, Sea Bags opened

a retail shop in Freeport last year. The

company’s three driving principles are

sustainability in product and practice,

giving back to the community, and

commitment to Maine-based domestic

manufacturing. Sea Bags has been a

MITC Member since December 2008.

Norway has an extensive base of expertise in the maritime sector. The Global Maritime Knowledge Hub (GMKH) represents the largest private funded research initiative in Norway and involves eight R&D institutes, 25 donors, and over $17 million per year in funding. Shown here the harbor in Svovlsvaer, Lofoten, Norway.

President Beth Shissler (left) and Founder Hannah Kubiak, both Maine natives, have been business partners and co-owners of Sea Bags since 2006.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sustaining Members ......... 2

Roundtable Members ........ 2

President’s Letter ............. 2

Canada Desk ................... 3

Trade Mission Wrap Up ..... 4

Invest in Maine Update ..... 4

FEATURED MEMBER: Sea Bags ......................... 5

What’s Ahead ................... 6

NEW MEMBERS

Global Study ConnectionsDover Foxcroft, ME

Tyler’s Maple LLC DBA Maine GoldRockland, ME

Village Candle, Inc.Wells, ME

Phone: (207) 541-7400 • Email: info@mitc.com • Website: www.mitc.com

GLOBALVIEWDECEMBER 2013

One of Maine’s leading trade partners since the colonial period, the United Kingdom is often an early choice for businesses exploring international business. With a population of 63 million and GDP of $2.4 trillion, the UK is the 6th largest economy in the world. Maine exported $58 million to the UK in 2012 in a broad range of industrial categories, from wood pulp to aircraft parts. In all, the UK ranked 9th of the state’s export partners.

Though smaller, the Nordic countries of Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland represent interesting opportunities for Maine’s business community. Following the recent investment by the Icelandic national shipping line, Eimskip, at Portland’s International Marine Terminal, Maine now has easy containerized access to major and minor ports across the North Atlantic. Total New England exports to these markets are valued at $914 million.

Meanwhile, inbound ocean freight from northern Europe continues to grow. In only 8 months of direct service, Portland has become the 11th leading import gateway for products coming to the US from the Nordic countries, and 3rd largest in the Northeast after Newark and Philadelphia. Imported items such as frozen fish and bottled water have been making their way through Portland, but many other items, including vodka and other foods, have strong potential in the US market.

Northern linkages will be the theme of two 2014 initiatives for Maine International Trade Center. In the spring, a business delegation will visit Iceland and the UK; trade and investment events are being considered for other Nordic destinations to help establish and expand ties across the North Atlantic. In May, Maine International Trade Day 2014 will feature “The New North” highlighting opportunities in Canadian and Northern European trade and investment. More information will be coming soon.

Northern European Markets Emerging as Targets for Maine Companies

GlobalView is sponsored by:

M A I N E I N T E R N A T I O N A L T R A D E C E N T E R B I - M O N T H LY N E W S L E T T E R

WHAT’S AHEAD WHAT’S INSIDE

Saudi Arabia: New PossibilitiesWednesday, January 22, 2014

12:00 - 1:00 PM (Lunch & Learn Program)Portland, ME

Sponsored by KeyBank

Africa: Maine Education’s Next FrontierTuesday, February 4, 2014

2:00- 5:00 PMBangor, ME

Sponsored by TD Bank

Northern European Markets Emerging as Targets for Maine Companies

Canada Desk: Improving the U.S.– Canada Trade Relationship

FEATURED MEMBER: Sea Bags

Mexico & Colombia Trade Mission Wrap Up

Invest in Maine Update

Non-Profit Org.Presort Standard

U.S. Postage

PAID Portland, MEPermit No. 218

Global Resources. Local Expertise.

The Southern Maine Program Series is sponsored by

The Central Maine Program Series is sponsored by

Read the full article at www.mitc.com

Tacking to Better Leverage Partner Resources Defines New Approach for International SalesA few years ago, Sea Bags was actively pursuing export opportunities around the globe. With a limited supply of raw material and higher costs of international sales cutting into profit margins, President Beth Shissler realized that the company needed to rethink their strategy for making Sea Bags a global brand. Shissler is currently shifting the company’s international sales approach to establishing distribution channels in specific target markets and licensing major partners such as J.Crew and Tommy Bahama to sell their products outside the US.

The key niche for Sea Bags is that their products are manufactured with recycled sails that have actually been sailed. Visible signs such as rust or stains give the products character and results in every item being unique. In keeping with one of the company’s core values of sustainability, after a sail is cut into panels for the highly popular tote bags, the smaller scraps are used to produce a diverse and growing line of accessories and household items including change purses, eyeglass cases, and coasters.

“We’re selling a lifestyle product,” Shissler explained. “Whether the appeal is primarily coastal, sporting, or green, our customer is anyone who aspires to the lifestyle. There is a clear market for handcrafted, one-of-a-kind – I would almost call it curated – products that we make.”

“In general, made in the USA has value globally,” Shissler commented. “We know that made in Maine definitely has value in Japan, but our reputation for high quality craftsmanship is not as well known in the Middle East yet.”

While Japan is currently the company’s most active international market, Sea Bags recently signed agreements with distributors in the Middle East and Australia. Finding distributors who were very knowledgeable about the market/competing products with the ability to handle all steps in the sales process through collections was critical, according to Shissler.

FEATURED MEMBER

Sea Bags designs and hand stitches

tote bags and accessories from recycled

sails. Founded by Hannah Kubiak in

1999 and incorporated with partner Beth

Shissler in 2006, the company currently

has 30 employees. Located in the heart

of Portland’s working waterfront on

Custom House Wharf, they are currently

in the process of expanding their head-

quarters from 1,500 to 4,500 square

feet. In addition to the storefront at the

Portland location, Sea Bags opened

a retail shop in Freeport last year. The

company’s three driving principles are

sustainability in product and practice,

giving back to the community, and

commitment to Maine-based domestic

manufacturing. Sea Bags has been a

MITC Member since December 2008.

Norway has an extensive base of expertise in the maritime sector. The Global Maritime Knowledge Hub (GMKH) represents the largest private funded research initiative in Norway and involves eight R&D institutes, 25 donors, and over $17 million per year in funding. Shown here the harbor in Svovlsvaer, Lofoten, Norway.

President Beth Shissler (left) and Founder Hannah Kubiak, both Maine natives, have been business partners and co-owners of Sea Bags since 2006.

Phot

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