May 12, 1997

UCSC sponsors business forum on "Reaching International Markets"

By Jennifer McNulty

Representatives of local business and government are invited to attend a forum on "Reaching International Markets" on Friday, May 16, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Cypress Room at Peachwood's at the Inn at Pasatiempo, Santa Cruz.

Presented by the UCSC Economics Advisory Board, the forum will cover subjects of interest to business owners, government officials, and others seeking to operate in today's global business environment. Topics will include laws and regulations, how to identify customers, finance and risk management, timing and innovation, and global economic trends. (See program)

"A firm doesn't have to be big anymore to be very involved with the international economy," says UCSC economics professor Nirvikar Singh. "Even small entrepreneurs who are thinking about where to sell are looking beyond California, New York, and the midwest. For California businesses, in particular, it's just as natural to look across the Pacific as to look to the East Coast." Technology has made international business much easier, with breakthroughs in communications and global financial markets that allow companies in countries on opposite sides of the globe to use the same bank to conduct transactions.

Globalization has bottom-line implications for business, many of which will be discussed at the forum, including how to acquire short-term credit to finance international trade, how to manage exchange-rate risk, and how to target customers. Panelists will also provide current information on software regulations and U.S. trade policy, says Singh.

The event is presented by the Economics Advisory Board at UCSC. Established in 1995, the Advisory Board is made up of UCSC economics faculty and business representatives from the community who are interested in economics. Community members include representatives from Raytek, Smith Barney, Inc., Coast Commercial Bank, and Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc.

Advance registration is required. The cost is $30, which includes breakfast, lunch, and refreshments. For information, call (408) 459-2028. Make checks payable to UC Regents and send to:

Jennifer Hightower, Development Coordinator
Economics Department
UC Santa Cruz
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064-1077

Return to the Currents home page

Go to UCSC's home page