Business context

First of all, thank you for your interest in helping strengthen collaboration between Italy and Utah!

It is important for you to know that in late 2010, Forbes magazine named Utah the #1 state for business growth.

In terms of exports, in 2009 Utah exported over $10.3 Billion in merchandise exports and is the only state in the nation that increased exports in 2009. In 2010, Utah exports were 50% higher compared to the previous year, making Utah an excellent business destination by all standards.

Utah has several clusters that define its economic landscape: Aerospace & Aviation; Defense & Homeland Security; Energy & Natural Resources; Financial Services; Life Sciences; Software Development & Information Technology; Outdoor Product & Recreation. Among those, the most prominent are Energy, IT & Life Sciences; and Outdoor products & Recreation. Utah has seen huge interest in developing various green energy or sustainable energy initiatives, and many companies are looking for partners abroad. There was also a 160% increase in exports of IT and life sciences making Utah "The Destination" for the nutraceutical industry with headquarters of huge international companies like Xango, MonaVie, Tahitian Noni, NuSkin.

Utah is also home to many small to medium size companies that need assistance in connecting with reputable partners, distributors and wholesalers overseas. To connect with those companies, the Italy Utah Cooperation Center partners with the World Trade Center Utah (WTCU) founded in 2006. WTCU is also a strategic partner of the Salt Lake Chamber, working hand-in-hand in providing local businesses with opportunities for success. 

Utah has trade relations with 200 countries, Italy being one of its largest trade partners. Just look at the Utah-Italy Factsheet, where we have included information about increases in exports from Utah to Italy between 2009 and 2010.  Exports from Utah to Italy have doubled in 2010 in most areas.  However, there are others that fall behind.

What we are trying to do is to look at the entire picture of Utah-Italy trade to see where Utah economic clusters match areas of major economic development in Italy and vice-versa.  We are looking to develop meaningful export and import trade and we would be delighted to have you benefit from and be part of this development!