FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2008

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced the opening of the Ohio Department of Development's two new international offices in Sydney, Australia; and New Delhi, India, with India branch offices in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. The offices are managed through the Department's Global Markets Division.

"Establishing offices in the emerging markets of Australia and India is a key step in increasing Ohio's global competitiveness," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "By establishing and strengthening Ohio's presence in these countries, we also increase our exposure to export possibilities and foreign companies looking to invest in Ohio."

The Global Markets Division promotes the export of Ohio products and services to strengthen Ohio's economy, advance its leadership position in the global marketplace, and promote Ohio as a location for foreign direct investment. The new offices bring the total of Ohio's international offices from 11 to 13. The Sydney and New Delhi offices mark Ohio's first offices in Australia and India.

"Our international offices are on the front lines of growing industries and trends in our foreign markets," said Deborah Scherer, Director of the Department's Global Markets Division. "The contacts and relationships we develop through our foreign offices often result in successful business deals and partnerships that may not have occurred without a presence in these international locations."

The offices were selected through a request for proposal process and will work under State contract. Ohio Department of Development representatives evaluated proposals and interviewed with top qualified applicants before selecting finalists. Funding for the new offices is $200,000 in total per year and was secured in the biennium budget for Fiscal Years 2008-2009.

Ohio's other international trade offices are located in Brussels, Belgium; Tokyo, Japan; Shanghai and Hong Kong, People's Republic of China; Toronto, Canada; Tel Aviv, Israel; Mexico City, Mexico; Săo Paulo, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Global Markets Division promotes the export of Ohio products and services to strengthen Ohio's economy, advance its leadership position in the global marketplace, and promote Ohio as a location for foreign direct investment. The Global Markets Division has 51 people in its Columbus headquarters and 13 international offices.

For more information about Ohio's Global Markets Division go to http://www.odod.state.oh.us/itd/

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Media contacts: Kelly Schlissberg at (614) 466-4133 or Kimber Perfect at (614) 466-2609