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How States Are Using Arts and Culture to Strengthen Their Global Trade Development

Economic and Technology Policy Studies As new international trade and investment treaty negotiations by the federal government progress, governors will be called upon to promote their states’ businesses in a tight budget environment.

Contact: Paul Kalomiris NGA Center for Best Practices

How States Are Using Arts and Culture to Strengthen Their Global Trade Development: http://www.nga.org/cda/files/040103GLOBALTRADEDEV.pdf

Several states – looking for a greater edge in an increasingly competitive marketplace – are incorporating arts and cultural exchanges in their international trade and business development approaches. This aspect of state-level diplomacy undergirds and complements more traditional trade promotion efforts that focus on generating immediate exports.

One state official describes these activities as building a network of personal ties, or "a human infrastructure," that is an indispensable tool for expanding trade. Relationships of understanding, respect and trust with other nations will not alone guarantee expanded trade development, but they can form an effective foundation upon which trade partnerships rest.

This Issue Brief explores successful approaches some states have used to incorporating arts and culture into international trade development, including:

* initiating cultural exchanges with foreign countries;

* developing "sister state" relationships;

* including cultural leaders on trade missions;

* making grants to communities and educational institutions that are initiating contact abroad; and

* creating state-level commissions and signing bilateral agreements that promote cultural and business affairs.

http://www.nga.org/center/divisions/1,1188,C_ISSUE_BRIEF%5ED_5271,00.html

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