U.S. Department of Commerce Brings DR-CAFTA Delegates to Visit The Enterprise Network of Silicon Valley

Business Wire, June 24, 2005

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Contact phone number for Dana Scoby should be 408-754-3123 (sted 310-754-3123).

The corrected release reads:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE BRINGS DR-CAFTA DELEGATES TO VISIT THE ENTERPRISE NETWORK OF SILICON VALLEY

In the technology world, global convergence is no longer an idea or a dream, but a reality. This week, as part of its initiative to encourage and grow entrepreneurial enterprises in the Silicon Valley and worldwide, TEN (The Enterprise Network of Silicon Valley) invited more than 20 delegates of DR-CAFTA (Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement), accompanied by the U.S. Department of Commerce, to visit TEN's South San Jose Sobrato Center for Innovation.

"The Silicon Valley and entire Bay Area offer exceptional business and financial resources to entrepreneurs and small businesses seeking to break into new markets," remarked Dr. Bill Musgrave, president and CEO of The Enterprise Network. "Our role at TEN is to help promote this global value chain for international business development."

Organized by the Institute for International Business Development (IIBD), together with the Greater San Jose Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Silicon Valley (GSJHCC) and TEN's international business development staff, the conference enabled discussion about the opportunities that the Bay Area and TEN offer to Central American small business owners, educators and entrepreneurs. Representatives from the Dominican Republic and every Central American country were present.

GSJHCC CEO Carlos Figueroa agrees, "By educating large economic regional forces such as Central America on all the resources available to them in Silicon Valley, we are not only bridging economies and converging talent, we are also creating jobs."

About TEN, The Enterprise Network of Silicon Valley (www.tensv.org)

Founded by Joint Venture Silicon Valley in 1993 to support the area economy and encourage entrepreneurial innovation, TEN has helped launch over 60 successful companies, including eBay. TEN is an independent 501(c)(3) public benefit California Corporation.

About GSJHCC, The Greater San Jose Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (www.gsjhcc.org)

The GSJHCC is a nonprofit service organization serving the needs of Latino and minority businesses in business development, training and providing access to capital. The GSJHCC works with other international Chambers of Commerce in order to promote trade.

About IIBD, The Institute for International Business Development (www.iibdsj.org)

IIBD is a nonprofit California corporation that promotes the advancement of Hispanic and other minority businesses. Through guidance and education, IIBD helps small to medium businesses compete in global markets and educates them on the advantages of free trade agreements such as NAFTA and CAFTA.