FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. Department of Commerce Selects Georgia Tech, GlobalExecWomen to Lead in International Partnership

(Atlanta, GA) Sept 30, 2004 -The Department of Commerce together with the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), Georgia Institute of Technology CIBER Program, and GlobalExecWomen will host the international exchange between US and Maghreb businesswomen on October 6 and 7.  A team of U.S. businesswomen and U.S. embassy personnel selected eight executive businesswomen from Algeria and Tunisia who specialize in such areas as software development, web-based training, Internet Service Providers (ISP), technology incubation, consulting, and feature and documentary filmmaking to join U.S. businesswomen in creating a global network.  This mission is the third phase of a U.S.-Maghreb partnership program organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC). 

The goal is to assist U.S. companies with their expansion and access into North Africa.  Opportunities for Atlanta firms include distribution, maintenance, integration and service of their products in North Africa; software development and localization for the North African/Middle Eastern market; joint business pursuits in Europe with North African firms; opportunities to team with local firms on Tunisian and Algerian government contracts; and many more.  Recently, the U.S. signed free trade agreement with Morocco.   

The Georgia Tech Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) will host an exchange forum. GlobalExecWomen presenters during the two-day meeting include Joan Lyman, Internet security expert, president of nmotion, and former CEO of SecureWorks; Helga Ojinmah, a multilingual IT marketing executive and president of Helios Communications; and Karen Robinson, president of Prime Point Media, who previously raised $40 million in venture capital.  In addition, Cindy Cheatham, Venture Catalyst, ATDC will provide an overview of ATDC. 

Presenters from Georgia Tech include Dr. Nancy Wong, Dr. Deborah Turner and Dr. Samit Soni, representing the areas of marketing, accounting, and information technology.  

During the second day, one-on- one meetings will be held at the World Trade Center followed by a luncheon featuring a keynote address by Judy Quick from Georgia State University.  Ms. Quick was instrumental in launching the Businesswomen's Leadership Training Program at the Caucasus School of Business in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia, one of Atlanta's 17 sister cities.  

Local companies interested in business opportunities in North Africa and in scheduling a one-on-one meeting on the morning of October 7 at The World Trade Center Atlanta should contact Virginia Bradley or Crystal Porter at intl@globalexecwomen.com or 404.488.8400.  

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