University of Albany College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering Hosts Foreign Trade Commissioners

The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") of the University at Albany hosted foreign trade commissioners from more than 20 countries as part of a fact-finding trip designed to encourage international business growth throughout New York's Tech Valley region.

The foreign trade commissioners toured CNSE's $4.5 billion Albany NanoTech Complex and listened to a presentation highlighting New York State's global leadership in nanotechnology education, research and economic outreach. The tour and presentation was followed by a reception and dinner at which the region's leaders in business, economic development, academia and government networked and discussed prospects for global trade and investment with officials from the Foreign Trade Commissioners Association.

The New York City-based foreign trade commissioners -- also known as consular officials, commercial attaches or commercial consuls -- promote trade and investment between the country they represent and the region they oversee in the United States. Typically, a consulate in New York City is responsible for the northeastern and mid-Atlantic states.

The event was sponsored by Empire State Development, CNSE and the Tech Valley Global Business Network, a partnership aligning all of the premier economic development organizations in the area around the single issue of helping educate and provide networking opportunities for area companies interested in global trade.