Representatives from Germany, Switzerland, Nigeria and the United Kingdom joined local business, government and educational representatives Monday to get better acquainted with the area and share ideas for business collaboration.
Hosted by the World Trade Center Savannah, the Atlanta-based Consular Corps started the day at WTC Savannah headquarters for breakfast, a business program and presentation.
Savannah Mayor Edna Jackson welcomed the delegation before turning the program over to Brynn Grant, interim vice president for WTC Savannah and chief operating officer for the Savannah Economic Development Authority.
Grant provided an overview of Savannah and the assets that make the region a natural for global business interests. Among them: A world class port, a thriving manufacturing base, a $2 billion tourism industry, six institutions of higher education, two military bases and the ability to reach 80 percent of the U.S. population within 24 hours.
She also talked about the role Savannah’s World Trade Center plays in bringing local and international interests together.
“Hosting international delegations is integral to the success of World Trade Center Savannah,” Grant said. “These international representatives now have our region top of mind and can help us connect opportunities for regional businesses interested in doing business in their country and identify opportunities for international companies to do business in our region.”
Claudio Leoncavallo, dean of the Consular Corps in Atlanta and consul general of Switzerland, said his country may be small, but its footprint in the United States is huge.
“Our country is among the top six direct investors in the U.S.,” he said, listing the financial sector, high tech manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and green technology among his country’s interests here.
Leoncavallo was particularly interested in a tour of Georgia Ports Authority, which was next on the group’s agenda.
“We are very interested in working with your ports,” he said.
Annabelle Malins, consul general of the United Kingdom, was interested in building on educational connections between the U.K. and U.S.
“Because the Internet has blurred borders, our young people are engaging internationally through educational online connections,” she said. “It’s an untapped asset.”
Malins also wanted to point out that the U.K of today is far different from the U.K. we learn about in history books.
“We have such heritage between our two countries,” she said. “But we want people to see us for what we are today — an innovative and culturally diverse society.”
Ambassador Geoffrey Teneilabe, consul general of Nigeria, also expressed interest in learning more about the Port of Savannah.
“The U.S. is our biggest trading partner,” Teneilabe said. “When the Panama Canal expansion is completed, it will shorten the time imported goods come from the U.S.”
The Nigerian ambassador said he was eager to exchange ideas with GPA officials “as we look at our capability to develop our own ports.”
During the two-day visit that started Sunday, members met with local businesses, toured the Savannah College of Art and Design, the Georgia Ports Authority, Peeples Industries and attended performances of the Savannah Music Festival. They also had the opportunity to meet and tour various companies from their country and spend time with their constituents, discussing trade and investment.
Later Monday, Christoph Sander, consul general of Germany, said he was especially impressed with his tour of the ports.
“We have several strong German companies in this region,” he said. “A lot of German product comes through Savannah and relies heavily on this port. It was wonderful to tour the Port of Savannah, to learn about their operations and the challenges and opportunities they see in the future.”
Sander also had complimentary words for SCAD.
“They have done a wonderful job of building this international university and staying true to the mission to prepare students for careers,” he said. “I am equally impressed by the economic impact SCAD has had on the city of Savannah.”