RINA says G’day to Australian export opportunities

Oakland, California-based MGI member firm RINA Accountancy Corporation is gearing up this week for a special event aimed at helping local US companies boost exports.

The Australia Trade and Investment Opportunities seminar on May 2nd is designed as a launchpad for local wine producers to explore closer ties with Australian importers and will feature a delegation from the Australian consulate. Taking place at the Rock Wall Wine Company in Alameda, the event is part of an ongoing collaboration between RINA and the US Department of Commerce (DoC).

Most recently RINA and the DoC’s Export Assistance Center were behind a similar event for manufacturers; the fourth annual ‘Make it in America; Sell it to the World’ seminar.  Michael Lien, director of operations at TRIC Tools, one of the many manufacturers to attend the day, commented: "I really enjoyed this event, the location, facility and auditorium really made this a great venue for business networking."

Leading RINA’s presence at these is the firm’s international tax chair, Tom Neff. He explains how the Export Assistance Center provides resources to US companies overseas who are interested in developing contacts abroad in order to expand sales to foreign countries

“They've got people on the ground; both representatives in the US and foreign government officials who can put companies in touch and offer very practical information,” he says, adding that this assistance can include anything from putting companies in touch with distributors and potential customers to offering a credit facility.

Neff has been building the firm’s presence in the export field after first attending one such event a couple of years ago and believes they can be of great value to accountancy firms.

“What I thought was excellent about the event and how it could benefit us to get involved was the breadth of companies that the US government is in contact with,” he explains.

Events can attract anywhere from 100 to 150 companies. “Many of them are exactly the kind of companies that are the target client of RINA and of other MGI firms,” says Neff.

The Australia Trade and Investment Opportunities seminar runs from 11:00 (PST) to 13:00 at the Rock Wall Wine Company on Monarch Street, Alameda, California. More information on RINA Accountancy Corporation can be found on its website, or through its MGI member profile.