Global Opportunities and New Markets

Ed note: Founded in 1993, Kent Displays, Inc. is a world leader in the research, development and manufacture of Reflex™ No Power LCDs for unique, sustainable applications including electronic skins, writing tablets, smartcards and eReaders. Improv Electronics was formed in 2010 as the consumer products subsidiary of Kent Displays. 2010 sales of its first product, the Boogie Board™ LCD Writing Tablet, exceeded forecast by 10 times. Its paperless LCD technology represents a significant opportunity to reduce global paper consumption for everyday tasks such as memos, reminders, to do lists, sketching and other writing and drawing activities.

Kent Displays is honored to be a representative on this trade mission to India. It’s only a few days into the mission, and the benefits of participating are already immeasurable. I cannot begin to express my gratitude to the U.S. Commerce Department and Secretary Gary Locke for organizing the trip and selecting Kent Displays for the business delegation.

The Minority Business Development Agency (MDBA) encourages minority-owned firms to attend the upcoming “Trade Winds Forum–the Americas” business forum and trade mission in Mexico City, Mexico from April 5-12, 2011.

The combination trade mission and business conference includes the pan-American (North, Central and South) business forum consisting of regional and industry specific conference sessions, as well as pre-arranged consultation with 14 U.S. Commercial Service Senior Commercial Officers representing markets throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Minority business export activity spanned 41 countries over six continents, North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, between 1992 and 2009.  Mexico, Brazil and Dominican Republic are the top three markets for minority firms export activity, accounting for 52 percent of all financing transactions authorized for these firms when foreign markets were identified.

Minority firms in the United States are primed for exporting and are twice as likely to generate sales from exporting as non-minority-owned firms. Some of the reasons are due in large part to language capabilities, cultural compatibility and business agility.

Brazilis one of the largest economies in the world, growing at its fastest rate in at least a decade in just the first quarter of 2010. Much of Brazil’s economy is driven by consumer demand with nearly 50 percent of its population under 20 years old.  Most of Brazil’s population is concentrated along the East Coast of the country with nearly 50 million people living in its densely packed cities.  While Brazil is still considered a developing country, many business opportunities exist.  The rising affluence of Brazil’s middle-class consumers provide a new market for minority-owned firms in the United States to consider.