MINSK: A delegation of nine Belarusians toured North Dakota in May to discuss potential trade. The group is one of many visiting the state, which is seeing an increase in trade, according to Dean Gorder, executive director of the North Dakota Trade Office, who credits the state’s global outlook as a change in business mentality. More producers are growing a specific variety catered toward a niche area and marketing it directly where there is demand.
Gov. Jack Dalrymple recognized this shift and started the NDTO in an effort to help more businesses take advantage of trade opportunities, according to Gorder.
“The single biggest thing the trade office provided to North Dakota was the opportunity to bring in education to export companies. If you’ve never exported before, it’s a big bad world,” said Gorder, adding that about 90 percent of visitors hosted by his organization eventually buy from North Dakota companies — some buy a few things while others become long-time purchasers.
The NDTO hosts numerous tours and trade missions each year with one goal in mind — building trade relations for North Dakota companies. North Dakota’s exports have grown from $1 billion in 2004 to $5.29 billion in 2014, according to U.S. Department of Commerce statistics.
Amity Technology expanded its exports, driven by low profit margins in the ‘80s and ‘90s, when it saw opportunity to sell more equipment by marketing overseas. Russia and Ukraine became the focus, Gorder said.
NDTO helps North Dakota companies new to trade set up shipping contracts to make sure they get paid for their goods. The office helps vet potential buyers and partners.
