Gary Biehn Named to Greater Philadelphia Metro Export Plan Steering Committee

Gary Biehn, Partner and Chair of the International Group, has been invited to join a select group of leaders that will shape a plan to spur regional growth via expanded export activity. 

The Economy League and World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia are bringing together area business, government, and civic leaders to create an action-oriented metro export plan that draws upon the region’s unique assets and capacities to advance Greater Philadelphia as a hub for global business. The development of a metro export plan emerged as a top recommended action to boost regional business growth in the World Class Global Positioning Strategy (GPS) released as part of the ongoing World Class Greater Philadelphia initiative. Estimates indicate that doubling Greater Philadelphia’s annual export growth rate, to bring it in line with competitor metros, would generate up to 40,000 new jobs in the region over five years. The metro export planning effort will build upon successful efforts to date in the region and help elevate exporting as a top-of-mind economic development priority for Greater Philadelphia.

This work will be completed in conjunction with Greater Philadelphia’s recent acceptance to participate in the Global Cities Initiative’s Exchange, a learning network of U.S. metros committed to increased global connections and competitiveness convened by the Brookings Institution and JPMorgan Chase. Greater Philadelphia was one of eight metro areas selected via a competitive process to join the GCI Exchange’s 2015 group, the final cohort of the 28-metro-area network. 

The Greater Philadelphia Metro Export Plan Steering Committee will oversee the development of a customized, data-driven metro export strategy for the Philadelphia region, including the release of a detailed market assessment this summer and a metro export plan by the end of the year. The Steering Committee will be comprised of top area business executives, economic development leaders, government officials, and global trade experts. 

Gary was recently appointed Chair of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia after serving as a Board Member for more than seven years.