The Merced College Center for International Trade Development (CITD) is just one aspect of Merced College's economic development activities which serves companies and community college faculty in Central California. This regional program was the first out of fourteen international trade initiatives under ED>NET, the California Community College Economic Development Network. ED>Net was established in Merced in 1988 with the overall purpose of advancing California's economic growth and global competitiveness through quality education and services focusing on continuous workforce improvement, technological deployment and business development.

     Why the growing interest in developing global partnerships? Ninety-five percent of the world's population lives outside of the U.S. Small and medium sized businesses constitute ninety-six percent of U.S. exports, but only thirty percent of the export sales. In California, export trade has become an engine of growth. International trade imbalances requires new thinking and new global partnerships. Shrinking domestic markets and expanding trade opportunities worldwide mean many businesses will need to embark on global marketing in order to remain viable into the next century. That can only be accomplished by developing new strategies, learning new languages and complying with new regulations.

Best with Netscape 3.0

Last Updated 12/18/97