Program Overview
Welcome to the Green Export Enabler Program (GEEP) where U.S. manufacturers and service providers of green technology can take advantage of our export services to successfully enter China.
Introducing the Green Export Enabler Program (GEEP)
Download Resource: GEEP_Services
Substantial growth in California’s Green Technology industry can only come from increased penetration of foreign markets where over 95% of the world consumers and two-thirds of world purchasing power reside. Now is the time to explore ways to increase your sales potential with the Green Export Enabler program (GEEP). GEEP is offered exclusively by the El Camino College Center for International Trade Development in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and California Manufacturing Technology Consulting. GEEP seeks to increase global competitiveness and exports of California green technologies to China by using a seven-step process to ensure that your company is ready and able to compete in the world arena.
Why GEEP?
The objectives of GEEP include increasing your global competitiveness and export readiness, increasing your export skills & competency, help your company enter and develop the markets in China, increase your market exposure, establish effective representation in China and make ongoing export sales.
California’s Competitiveness in Green Tech
More than $3 billion in venture money was invested in California clean-tech companies in 2008; that is over 57% of all U.S. investment in the sector. California has the highest number of patents (607) in the solar, wind and battery industries. Energy productivity (total GDP produced per unit of energy) is 68% higher in CA than for the whole U.S. Additionally, California generates $2.17 in GDP for every 10,000 BTU of energy it uses, compared with $1.29 for every 10,000 BTU for the whole U.S.
Green Export Growth Potential in China
China not only has enormous needs for cleaner energy, air and water, but is also the country best able to afford the massive investment and imports to meet the need. Under the Government’s $585 billion Economic Stimulus Plan, $105 billion alone is slated for rural area water safety projects, urban wastewater treatment, key water body pollution control and ecological environment protection. The Government projects an increase in China’s green technology market from $186 billion in 2010 to $555 billion in 2020.
There is zero net cost to GEEP Clients!
Thanks to a three-year federal Market Development Cooperative Program agreement from the U.S. Department of Commerce, we are able to offset the $7,500+ market value of the Green Export Enabler Program and offer it at an entry cost of only $1,000. This cost will be more than offset by a $1,500 subsidy applied towards export promotion services provided by the USDOC.
GEEP Advisory Board members
Jose Anaya
Dean, Community Advancement & Business Training Center
El Camino College
Norman Arikawa
International Trade Development Manager
Trade Services Division, Port of Los Angeles
Terri Batch
International Trade Specialist, Team Leader - Global Design & Construction Team
U.S. Department of Commerce
Kerry L. Bonner
Project Manager, Center for International Trade Development
El Camino College
Rose Braden*
Director
Evergreen Building Products Association
Jessica Bridges*
Executive Director
United States Clean Heat & Power Association
Caroline V. Brown
First Vice President, International Trade Services
Comerica Bank
Yu-feng (Frances) Chou, Esq.
President
Schechter + Chou, Inc.
Guy Fox
President & CEO
Guy Fox & Associates, Inc.
Youqing Ma
International Trade and Toursim Policy Analyst, Office of Ecnomic and Business Policy
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
David Gonzales
Director, Center for Applied Competitive Technologies
El Camino College
Jasmin Sakai-Gonzalez
Global Initiatives Manager
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
Julia Rauner Guerrero
Senior International Trade Specialist, USEAC – San Diego
U.S. Department of Commerce
Rob Guthrie
Business Initiatives Specialist, Office of Renewable Energy & Environmental Exports
Export-Import Bank of the United States
Norman W. Harris, III
Licensed Customs Broker / Certified Customs Specialist
Education Chair, Los Angeles Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association
Jim Huang*
Overseas Representative
Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation
Maurice Kogon
Director, Center for International Trade Development
El Camino College
Chris M. Kimmes
Green Business Development/CA Commercial Banking
City National Bank
Fred Latuperissa*
Director, USEAC – Inland Empire
U.S. Department of Commerce
Tony Livoti
President
Monterey Bay International Trade Association (MBITA)
Jim MacLellan
Trade Services Division
Port of Los Angeles
Bronwen Madden
Deputy Director, Center for International Trade Development
El Camino College
Amy Magat
International Trade Specialist, USEAC – Los Angeles
U.S. Department of Commerce
Marc Lemmond
International Trade Specialist, Office of Energy and Environmental Industries
U.S. Department of Commerce
Justin Rathke
Director, Policy and Distributor Development
Capstone Turbine Corporation
Ashok Sadhwani
Consultant, ITAR/EAR and Customs Brokerage
President, Asmara USA, Inc.
Rachid Sayouty
Director, USEAC – Los Angeles
U.S. Department of Commerce
Cheryl Slobodian
Director, Operations Support
California Manufacturing Technology Consulting
Joyce O. Sloss
Director of Business and Job Resources Center
Los Angeles World Airports
Julia Huang Son
Marketing Manager
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Paul Tambakis
Director, USEAC – Newport Beach
U.S. Department of Commerce
Brett Tarnet
President & CEO
Brett Tarnet Insurance Services
Starleen Van Buren
Director, Small Business Development
Center El Camino College
Carlos J. Valderrama
Senior Vice President, Global Initiatives
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
Lance A. Williams, Ph.D.
LEED® Accredited Professional
Executive Director, U. S. Green Building Council–Los Angeles Chapter
Bernie Weiss
Director, Center for International Trade Development
West Valley College (Silicone Valley)
*Ex-officio member
El Camino College Center for International Trade Development
Download Resource: MDCP_ECC_press_release
Established in 1998, the Center for International Trade Development (CITD) is funded by the Chancellor’s Office of the State of California to promote the state’s international trade and competitiveness, assist exporters and importers, and advance economic and job growth. The El Camino College Center for International Trade Development is part of the statewide CITD network.
International Trade Compliance Institute (ITCI) & Responsive Training in Trade Compliance
The El Camino College Center for International Trade Development (CITD) created an international trade compliance institute to make trade regulations The ITCI Project is an initiative established under a Title VI B grant from the Department of Education. The ITCI site focused on the maze of regulatory/documentary requirements faced by anyone thinking about or engaged in international trade. We know that many would-be traders are deterred by fear of regulations, and many existing traders unwittingly overlook or violate regulations out of ignorance. The ITCI Website addresses U.S. export and import regulations, foreign import regulations, as well as multilateral trade laws and regulations. Our intent was to create a comprehensive, one-stop “regulatory” portal for use not only by businesses, but also by trade counselors, faculty, students, regulatory bodies, and the overall trade compliance community. For example, the Regulatory FAQ Database has over 1,000 authoritative FAQs covering all aspects of international trade regulation. The Regulatory Database has hundreds of regulatory terms/acronyms, laws/regulations, treaties/agreements, documents, and regulatory bodies. The Trade Information Database has over 1,000 “deep” links to trade-related information in 12 broad categories. The Compliance Events Calendar lists CITD and partner training events. We recognized that a massive Website of this kind can confuse users if they can’t quickly and easily find what they want. We believe the available search options – by keyword, alphabetic, and/or by category—will meet that need. Training—ITCI also offers or co-sponsors training on key regulatory issues, such as EAR/ITAR, ACE, AES, ISF, and FDA product classifications, and a 10-week prep course for the Customs Broker License Exam. We have additional, reinforcing grants for trade compliance training under the State Responsive Training Fund (RTF). Under a Department of Labor grant, we developed new introductory credit and certificate courses in supply chain management, international transportation, and international logistics.
Green Export Enabler Program (GEEP)
The El Camino College Center for International Trade Development (CITD) has teamed with the Department of Commerce on a 3-year Green Export Enabler Program (GEEP) for China. GEEP, a joint project under ITA’s Market Development Cooperative Program (MDCP), is unique in applying a proven, 7-step Export-Enabler model developed by the CITD to prepare clients for market entry and help them find partners, exhibit at trade shows, and make export sales. Why China? China not only has enormous needs for greener buildings and cleaner energy, air and water, but is also the country best able to afford the massive investment and imports to meet the need. With its still growing economy and large dollar surpluses, China is one of the very few countries able and willing to spend heavily on green construction, sustainable energy and pollution control. GEEP Fees – There is zero net cost to participate. The $1,000 GEEP entry fee, an indication of commitment, will be credited toward up to $2,500 in subsidies for trade shows, international business matchmaking (e.g. Gold Key service), consulting and training. GEEP Eligibility – Participants must be registered as suppliers of goods or services in renewable energy, environmental technologies (control and prevention, waste management, remediation of contaminated property, design and operation of environmental infrastructure, and provision and delivery of environmental resources), certified green building design, clean coal, nuclear, energy efficiency, combined heat and power, and district energy. First priority is for California suppliers, but some subsidized GEOP services will also be open to non-California companies.
Youth Entrepreneurship Program
The El Camino College Center for International Trade Development (CITD) has directed special attention to preparing high school students for jobs or post-secondary specialization in international trade. This continuing effort, in collaboration with grant partner International Trade Education Programs (ITEP), has already resulted in (1) New International Trade Academies (smaller learning communities) at three local high schools; (2) New International Business Practice Firm (IBPF) classes at seven local high schools. Students in IBPF classes learn to start and run an international business and trade with IBPFs in other countries, all in a simulated setting; (3) New International Economic Summit competitions opened to 20 Central Valley high schools; (4) Expanded corporate internship program for 75 high school students.
