Chester County Economic Development Council launches global business advisory group

On Wednesday, the Chester County Economic Development Council announced that it had created the Pennsylvania Global Business Advisors (GBA) group that would provide support and advice for businesses across the state looking to expand internationally.

The group’s advisory board, made up of 25 international business experts, will be led by Wilfred Muskens, Honorary Consul in Philadelphia for the Kingdom of the Netherlands and former Deputy Secretary for the Office of International Business Development for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Officials said the group will offer international business support and global advisory services.

“Global priorities have changed dramatically since COVID, the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, and related supply chain disruptions, and no one knows this better than our collective that has done business in more than 60 countries and speaks more than 20 languages,” said Muskens. “What makes Pennsylvania Global Business Advisors truly unique – with nothing else like it in Pennsylvania – is that its members are almost entirely from the private sector, we receive zero government funding, and focus exclusively on international trade and investment. We’ve also expanded our reach to include not only the Greater Philadelphia area but the entire state of Pennsylvania.”

GBA’s services, Muskens said, are meant to be complementary sources of international information and expertise for businesses, which would leverage but not replace the free and low-cost assistance available from federal, state, and regional trade organizations.

“This exceptional partnership ensures that local businesses can draw on the region’s greatest international minds to build their presence in global markets, and international businesses get easy access to a full range of foreign investment support services,” said Michael Grigalonis, CCEDC Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President. “We’re excited to advance several projects that are already underway, including an upcoming trade mission to Ireland, a partnership opportunity with India, a Dutch urban farming endeavor, support of a Canadian manufacturer, and services for underrepresented communities, including Hispanic-owned businesses.”