San Bernardino County’s innovative approach to linking local businesses with counterparts in the international marketplace has been recognized with an Award of Excellence by a statewide professional economic development organization.

The California Association for Local Economic Development presented the award to the International Trade Office of the County of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency during the association’s recent conference in Anaheim. The association, known as CALED, is the premier statewide professional economic development organization.

The International Trade Office was recognized for making a significant contribution to the field of economic development in California in 2007. It provides economic development services that typically are lacking at the local level, including export/import resource services, global connection programs, educational outreach programs, trade missions and international branding and tourism campaigns.

The award brings statewide recognition to San Bernardino County's effort to bridge the gap between local companies and potential global partners. By taking on duties that usually are disregarded by county government, the International Trade Office really stood out, said My Kristy Nong, a spokeswoman for CALED.

“They are one of the only organizations out there with an international trade office,” Nong said. “We don’t see that a lot at the city, county or even state level, especially at the county level. They have a very impressive program.”

The International Trade Office helps businesses from around San Bernardino County compete better in the global economy. Since its inception in 2006, the trade office has trained more than 650 business constituents and created more than $217 million in projected transactions through its Global Matchmaking program. It works closely with local chambers of commerce, universities and city economic development agencies to increase awareness of international trade possibilities around San Bernardino County.

“There are numerous international trade opportunities for businesses in San Bernardino County, but before the International Trade Office was created, there wasn’t an entity specifically designed to help business owners turn those economic opportunities into economic realities,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Paul Biane said.

Working under the guidance of private sector-led International Trade Advisory Council, the International Trade Office fosters overseas business connections and helps brand San Bernardino County as a global and diverse place in which to do business.

Moises Cisneros, who has led the International Trade Office since its inception two years ago, accepted the award on behalf of the County. In 2006 Cisneros became San  Bernardino County’s first International Trade Manager.

CALED is one of the main organizations around the state that recognizes the work being done by local economic developers on behalf of their communities, Nong said.

Winners in the highly-competitive process are judged on whether their programs take a direct approach to fulfilling a demonstrated need and whether the programs can be duplicated by other agencies. Other criteria include the effective and efficient management of resources, the positive impact on employment, expansion of the local tax base and diversification of the local economy.

“It’s a big deal when these organizations win these awards,” Nong said. “They are being recognized for something they did that made a difference.”