The Business Network for Offshore Wind, the leading organization working to accelerate offshore wind energy deployment and build a dedicated supply chain, will bring its Global Gateway export program to South America for the first time this fall.
The Network will lead a U.S. delegation to Brazil from September 10-15, 2023, to help U.S. companies understand the country’s emerging offshore wind market and meet with key players in the region, forming business connections that enable them to export their products and services abroad.
The Global Gateway export program, established in 2021, directly connects U.S.-based companies to the international offshore wind marketplace and supply chain through organized delegation trips to key markets in Europe, and now, South America. Over the past two years, the Network has led four delegation trips to Europe where delegates met with key industry stakeholders, visited offshore wind sites, and participated in renewable energy conferences. To date, the Network has tracked more than $30 million in exports through the Global Gateway program, and with the expansion into a new market, the Network expects to see a large uptick in global exports for U.S. businesses.
“The Network is excited to expand the Global Gateway program to South America,” said Liz Burdock, president and CEO of the Business Network for Offshore Wind. “We developed this export program to facilitate global connections and regional market knowledge, and we look forward to helping U.S. companies tap into Brazil’s fast-growing offshore wind market. Through Global Gateway, we can foster connections that not only benefit U.S. businesses but also accelerate the adoption of offshore wind both domestically and abroad.”
The Global Gateway: Brazil trip will include an offshore wind educational tour and attendance at Brazil Windpower. During the week, the delegates will gain in-depth knowledge of Brazil’s supply chain by attending key meetings with local suppliers, developers, and government officials, including Servtec Energia, State of Ceará Government Officials, and Petrobras. Additionally, participants will attend the Brazil Windpower Show, where they will exhibit their businesses within the U.S. Offshore Wind Pavilion and take B2B meetings facilitated by the Network with ABBEólica, EPE, MME, ANEEL, and more. View the full itinerary here.
“From the ease of our booth set up, to the wonderful receptions and gatherings that we participated in, we could not have asked for a better way to get together with other participants,” said Alessandra Tebaldi, Executive Vice President & General Counsel at McAllister Towing, a former Global Gateway delegate. “The socializing and networking connected McAllister to many new companies within the United States and Europe that we are excited to grow our relationships with.”
Registration for the Brazil trip closes August 4 and is open to anyone interested in establishing their business in Brazil’s emerging offshore wind market.
The Global Gateway export program is made possible through the Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) Grant, the U.S. government’s most successful export assistance program, awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The MDCP grant established a partnership between the International Trade Administration and nonprofit industry groups like trade associations and standard-developing organizations, to pursue innovative projects that address trade barriers, enhance industry competitiveness, and generate exports that create or sustain thousands of U.S. jobs.
Participants can receive funding for a Global Gateway delegation trip through the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) from the U.S. Small Business Association, which assists small U.S. businesses with the large up-front costs associated with expansion into international markets. STEP offers grants that may help fund your participation in the Global Gateway delegation trips. A full list of states that participate in this program and what is included can be found online.
