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TechTrends e-Newsletter I October 2003 Page 1 of 4 <br /> .. 31, <br /> ` i , t° I 14.V r Print Close <br /> ;FORMA h' <br /> 0i <br /> Trr u a publication of <br /> I 1 <br /> T rvInnesakolnilegy,Inc,9 <br /> 1 re n dS <br /> Volume 4,_._. <br /> Issue 7 October 2003 y, <br /> Cover Story <br /> Destination: Central Europe <br /> Governor's trade mission looks to unlock key emerging markets. <br /> This November, Minnesota Governor Pawlenty and a delegation of 20 to 30 business <br /> leaders and state government officials will embark on a seven-day trade mission to <br /> Poland and the Czech Republic. <br /> 0 <br /> The mission, which is scheduled for November 15-21, will focus on connecting <br /> Minnesota business leaders from the IT and environmental industries with qualified <br /> business partners in Poland and the Czech Republic. Plans call for the trip to include <br /> briefings by local experts on market opportunities, one-on-one business <br /> III 4 matchmaking meetings to partner Minnesota companies with Polish and Czech <br /> businesses, and a variety of networking events. In addition, the delegation will <br /> participate in high-level economic and industry briefings with the U.S. Foreign <br /> Commercial Service and Polish and Czech officials. <br /> According to Elaine Bliss, director of the Minnesota Trade Office, the mission's goal <br /> is to position Minnesota to take advantage of key emerging markets in Central <br /> Europe. "One area where we feel we can be of the most value to small and medium- <br /> sized companies is in helping them get into markets where the entry path isn't <br /> always crystal clear," she says. "There are some amazing growth trends happening <br /> right now in Central Europe, and there's certainly plenty of potential for Minnesota <br /> businesses. But getting into those markets isn't always as easy as it would be when <br /> dealing with a more established country such as France. We feel that the trade <br /> mission will help open some doors and help Minnesota businesses take advantage of <br /> these emerging opportunities." <br /> For more information on the trade mission, go to <br /> I http://www.exportminnesota.com/03Europe-tasp or contact Tim Odegard at <br /> tim.odegarditstate.mn.us or 651-297-4650. While the formal application deadline <br /> has passed, there are still some slots available for the mission. <br /> 4 <br /> F TechNotes <br /> Technology business news from around Minnesota. <br /> ATEK Manufacturing, a Brainerd-based contract manufacturing and assembly firm, <br /> 1111 4, <br /> recently completed an acquisition of Acrometal, a Brainerd maker of sporting rifles <br /> and specialty products. Acrometal will become a division of ATEK and will specialize <br /> in firearm assembly, stamping, and other metalworking capabilities. According to <br /> http://www.minnesotatechnology.org/publications/techtrends/2003/October/printVersion.asp 9/29/2003 <br />