1.3 billion customers await

Kimber Gates and the friendly folks at Coeur d'Alene Cellars are doing fine, thank you.

But if Todd Christensen has his way, they'll soon be doing much, much better.

Christensen, president of the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce, has organized a workshop to help small businesses like Kimber's expand through international trade to China and Taipan. As fate would have it, the Chinese like wine - and have to import it. So why not tap into a huge potential market?

The workshop is Feb. 22 at The Resort but registration deadline is Feb. 8. Those attending will:

n Hear from a trade analyst explaining what it takes to succeed internationally;

n Tap into local resources to overcome international barriers;

n Hear first-person accounts from local businesses sharing tips to their international success;

n Learn how to finance your international business development;

n Connect with experts from the U.S. Department of Commerce;

n Learn about specific market opportunities in China and Taiwan.

While the U.S. and Idaho economies are showing steady signs of improvement, the growth is agonizingly slow. Building stronger trade overseas is one of the best ways to grow jobs right here.

And the demand is glaring. According to an AP story published in The Press Business section last Friday:

"Surging growth has transformed Chinese living standards, especially in major cities," the story says. "Citizens there enjoy better homes, schools and high technology.

"And the collective appetite of 1.3 billion Chinese has turned the nation into a ravenous growth market. The value of imports nearly doubled between 2005 and last year to $1.4 trillion."

We believe North Idaho could use a little bit of that $1.4 trillion.

If you do too, sign up for the North Idaho Trade Seminar on Feb. 22.

For more details e-mail Katherine@CdAChamber.com or call Katherine Coppock at (208) 415-0105.