GIC Trade Inc GIC Manages Virginia Apple Growers' Export Trading Company (ETC) Alexandria, VA – The Virginia Apple Growers awarded a management contract to GIC Trade, Inc., to run their new Export Trading Company (ETC).  GIC helped gain certification of the ETC for the apple growers.  Joint exports through an ETC will allow Virginia apple growers to present a full line of complementary products; respond in large orders; negotiate favorable export service rates; use leverage to gain improved export financing and insurance; share export costs; and share the costs of overseas representation. According to Daniel Secondi, ETC's General Manager, "This is our baby; we created the ETC and now we will run it.  ETC will generate important revenues and employment for the apple sector in the state of Virginia."  Mr. Secondi will identify business opportunities in foreign markets and solicit tenders; relay sales opportunities to ETC's members; assist with bid packaging; assist with pricing product; coordinate the freight rate component of bids; assist with financing; assist with delivery terms; close deals and provide follow-up services; liaise with freight forwarders; assist with final pro-formas; and assist with follow-up activities. GIC has a contract with the Virginia Apple Growers Association for export promotion and transaction services, helping Virginia apple companies to develop new business in the export sector. Mr. Secondi acknowledged that, "We would like to see more Virginia apple products on overseas retail shelves.  We know how to develop foreign trade business and there are a lot of market opportunities out there. We invite Virginia apple companies to joint us in this challenge." For further information on The GIC Group's export promotion services, please contact Mr. Daniel Secondi at 703-684-1366. ******************************** BY GREG EDWARDS TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Apr 04, 2003 The Virginia apple industry has crossed the  federal hurdles needed to form an export-trading company. As a designated export-trading company Virginia apple growers will be able to collaborate to share market information, negotiate with shippers and bargain for  export contracts. The trading company will enjoy protection from state and federal antitrust laws. The Department of Justice already has approved the creation of the growers trading company and the Department of  Commerce has scheduled a signing ceremony in Washington today to formalize its approval. The trading firm will consist of four of Virginia's largest growers: Bowman Fruit Sales of Timberville, Crown Orchard Co. of  Batesville, Flippin-Seaman Inc. of Tyro and Fred L. Glaize of Winchester, all part of the Virginia Apple Growers Association, according to Richard Gilmore, CEO of the GIC Group. Gilmore's Alexandria consulting firm  worked for more than six months with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and state apple growers to obtain the federal designation. Other apple growers with similar status include those in  Washington state and Michigan, he said. According to the state Agriculture Department, the designation has been used successfully in other industries, most notably aerospace. One particularly successful agriculture  enterprise has been the Alaska Surimi Commission, producer of a crab-meat substitute. The Virginia apple industry is a prime candidate for a trading company because growers are of a medium size and would by themselves  have a hard time offering the kind of supply that export customers want. The Agriculture Department says the state's wood industry would be a good candidate for the same strategy. Today's signing ceremony will be in  Room H137 of the U.S. Capitol at 12:30 p.m. A top Commerce Department official is expected to attend. Contact Greg Edwards at (804) 649-6390 or gedwards@timesdispatch.com ********************************

American Farm Publications, Inc. The Delmarva Farmer Newspaper GIC to promote apple export 08/19/03 The Virginia Apple Growers awarded a management contract to GIC Trade Inc., to run its new Export Trading Co. GIC helped gain certification of the ETC for the apple growers. Joint exports through an ETC will allow Virginia apple growers to present a full line of complementary products; respond to and in large orders; negotiate favorable export service rates; use leverage to gain improved export financing and insurance; share export costs; and share the costs of overseas representation. According to Daniel Secondi, ETC's general manager, "This is our baby; we created the ETC and now we will run it. ETC will generate important revenues and employment for the apple sector in the state of Virginia." Secondi will identify business opportunities in foreign markets and solicit tenders; relay sales opportunities to ETC's members; assist with bid packaging; assist with pricing product; coordinate the freight rate component of bids; assist with financing; assist with delivery terms; close deals and provide follow-up services; liaise with freight forwarders; assist with final pro-formas; and assist with follow-up activities. GIC has a contract with the Virginia Apple Growers Association for export promotion and transaction services, helping Virginia apple companies to develop new business in the export sector. Secondi acknowledged that, "We would like to see more Virginia apple products on overseas retail shelves. We know how to develop foreign trade business and there are a lot of market opportunities out there. We invite Virginia apple companies to joint us in this challenge." For further information on The GIC Group's export promotion services, contact Daniel Secondi at (703)-684-1366. http://www.americanfarm.com/TopStory8-19-03e.html Copyright 2003 GIC Group.  All Rights Reserved.  Contact Us