Governor Ritter Leads New Energy Economy Investment Mission to Spain

Governor Bill Ritter along with Energy Office Director Tom Plant, Economic Development Director Don Elliman, and International Trade Director Pam Reichert traveled to Spain in early July on an overseas investment mission focused on renewable energy.   The trip served as a follow up visit with Spanish companies that visited Denver in February 2008.

"As we build Colorado's New Energy Economy, we are diversifying our energy portfolio, creating new jobs and attracting international interest," Gov. Ritter said. "In today's globally competitive marketplace, we must make every effort to recruit new companies and let them know Colorado is the best state in America to do business. The goal of this visit was to raise Colorado's profile in Spain and Europe and encourage foreign investment in our great state."

Gov. Ritter met with executives from key Spanish companies interested in Colorado. He also appeared at four larger events sponsored or hosted by local organizations such as the American Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Embassy.

While the trip emphasized Colorado's New Energy Economy, Gov. Ritter also highlighted Colorado's general economy, quality of life and acclaimed research institutions, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory.

Colorado is already home to several foreign renewable energy companies, including Spanish companies Abengoa Solar and Iberdrola Renewables, whom he met with in Madrid.

"Iberdrola Renewables has two large wind farms in Colorado, and we would like to invest more in the state," said Martin Mugica, senior vice president of Iberdrola's USA renewables division. "The New Energy Economy strategy adds to an already favorable investment climate. The wind blows in many places around the world, but Coloradans make their state a great place to make electricity from the wind."

South America: The Growing Plastic Materials Industry

High demand in recent years for plastics makes the industry a strong export prospect for Colorado companies. Demand for raw plastic materials is high in South America, especially for end users in the packaging and bottling, construction, and automotive industries. There have also been significant increases in demand for plastic machinery and equipment.

The plastics sector has experienced significant growth in the past few years in countries like Ecuador, Peru and Colombia. Industry sector and import growth rates in 2007 were above 7% in these three counties. Total US exports of plastics to South America in 2007 totaled over $3.71 billion, a nearly 50% increase from 2006. In 2007, over $3.7 million in plastics exports came from Colorado.

In 2007, plastics and related articles were Colorado's 5^th largest export to the South American region. The value of Colorado plastics exports is also on the rise; in 2007, state companies exported $3.7 million in plastics to the region, up 96% from 2006. Recent industry growth in South America will create an even greater export opportunity for Colorado companies in this industry.

Further industry information is available at www.export.gov or see information provided by one of the plastics industries listed below. If you would like to discuss this information with an ITO professional and to discuss other market opportunities, call Leah Klass, Director of Trade & Investment for South America & the Caribbean at 303-892-3854.

Colombian Plastics Industries Association

Peruvian National Manufacturers Society, Plastics Committee:

Ecuadorian Plastics Association

Colorado Company Finds Success in Western Canada

On a recent trip to Vancouver, British Columbia in March 2008, the Colorado-based company Light for Health met with several potential buyers for their energy efficient, full spectrum lighting products, Indoor Sunshine^® and Soliel d'Intérieur^® .  Working with the International Trade Office and the U.S. Commercial Services office in Vancouver, Linaya Hahn, owner of Light for Health, was able to take advantage of customized one-on-one appointments with lighting distributors.  The company now has four distributors in western Canada, and a container-load of Light for Health's products has already been shipped to British Columbia for distribution.

Light for Health's success is due in part to a program organized by the Colorado International Trade Office (ITO) held in conjunction with the Globe 2008 sustainability conference in Vancouver.  The ITO coordinated a program to showcase Colorado companies offering sustainable technology products and services, such as the lighting products sold by Light for Health.  A total of five Colorado companies, as well as representatives from the University of Denver, CORE (Connected Organizations for a Responsible Economy), the Canadian Consulate General of Canada, and the ITO traveled to Canada to participate in the conference.  A networking breakfast and forum featuring representatives from Colorado allowed Canadian companies and government leaders to learn about Colorado's offerings in the sustainability sector. Additionally, Colorado companies, including Light for Health, were offered the opportunity to utilize one-on-one appointment-setting services through the U.S. Commercial Services at a reduced price thanks to an agreement between the Commercial Services and the ITO.

A limited amount of matching funds is still available through the ITO for appointment-setting services in Canada.  Please contact Amy Reichert at 303-892-3850 or amy.reichert@state.co.us for more information.