When doing business internationally, knowing the right people can be critical. This article begins a series introducing GlobalAtlanta readers to the state of Georgia’s economic representatives in 10 countries.  Click the links below to see short profiles and videos of those on the front lines of the state’s worldwide economic development.

Overview – Brazil – Canada – Chile – China – Germany – Israel – Japan – Korea – Mexico – United Kingdom

The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s advice for Georgia companies during the current economic crisis is “to do as much international business as they can do,” said Gretchen Corbin, division director of international operations at the state agency.

“Georgia companies are telling us that they’re finding it useful to diversify their customer base by identifying international customers,” she told GlobalAtlanta in a Feb. 23 interview.

The state has sales and investment offices in 10 countries to aid that process, helping Georgia companies sell products, set up offices and identify potential partners in overseas markets.

Georgia has a presence in Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Germany, Israel, Japan, Korea, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

Each office provides a variety of services, many free of charge, for Georgia companies. Trade representatives can help plan market-entry strategies for particular countries or regions, find suitable business partners and customers, arrange appointments for Georgia executives and give advice on relevant economic and political issues and local business practices.

“Whether we’re helping Georgia companies trade or bringing foreign direct investment into the state, our Atlanta office and statewide representatives are partnering with our international staff on everything we do,” Ms. Corbin said.

The department’s trade specialists throughout the state help Georgia companies select the countries most suitable for their exports and then call on the Georgia offices located in those regions to identify potential buyers and distributors.

It works the other way too.  The 10 overseas offices find business leads in their countries that may be interested in opening operations in Georgia. They introduce those companies to the appropriate regional contact at the Georgia Department of Economic Development, who can suggest potential locations for new facilities or expansion in Georgia.

In addition, the international representatives are constantly working with the agency’s Georgia-based tourism team to market the state to foreign tourists, Ms. Corbin said.

While the global economic situation remains grim, Ms. Corbin expressed optimism for Georgia businesses over the long term.  South Africa has shown an interest in Georgia products related to the installation of infrastructure for the 2010 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament, for example, she said.

And despite challenging times, Georgia’s exports increased 17 percent from 2007-08 to total $25.4 billion, Ms. Corbin added. Georgia became the 13th largest exporting state in 2008, up from 15th in 2007. Georgia industries that have seen increases in trade over the past year include aviation and small plane parts, biotechnology, heavy equipment, security and water and wastewater treatment, she said.

Georgia’s largest export items in 2008 were machinery, up 10 percent from 2007; followed by aircraft, up 23 percent; electrical machinery, up 3 percent; woodpulp, up 20 percent and vehicles, up 29 percent.

Ms. Corbin encouraged Georgia companies to look to the Georgia Department of Economic Development for strategies to increase their business internationally. “Our international trade specialists work to really access the world for our Georgia companies, not just in the locations where we have offices, but anywhere in the world where we have commercial services partners,” she said, referring to multiple state and federal trade assistance agencies with which her team has relationships around the globe.

Meet the state’s representatives abroad by clicking the links below:

Overview – Brazil – Canada – Chile – China – Germany – Israel – Japan – Korea – Mexico – United Kingdom

Begin with Brazil >>

Editor’s note: The export statistics above were provided by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, which cited figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. The bureau calculates state export data in two different ways – one based on the state where the product began its journey to the port of export, the other based on the zip code of the person or organization that gains primary monetary benefit from the export transaction.  The numbers here use the latter, the zip code-based origin of movement statistics.

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