HispanicBusiness

Colorado's manufacturers, agriculture producers and other businesses are being encouraged to look overseas for increased sales in 2013.

Exports of Colorado goods that included manufactured goods, agriculture and other products increased by 10 percent in the first 10 months of 2012, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, a Colorado Democrat. The increase accounted for nearly $7 billion in Colorado business revenues.

Bennet's office is co-hosting a series of workshops throughout the state, called "Beyond Colorado: Workshops for Businesses Looking to Expand Internationally," to help busineses grow their customer base outside the U.S.

A Colorado Springs workshop is scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Centennial Hall, 200 S. Cascade Ave. The seminar is free and open to the public, but reservations are suggested as seating is limited; to register, go to www.bennet.senate.gov/beyondcolorado.

"We are seeing exports grow across the country," Bennet said this week during a stop in the Springs, "and we want to take advantage of that growth and opportunity."

Information at the workshops will be provided by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Commerce, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, World Trade Center Denver and the Colorado Bar Association Intellectual Property Section. The sessions will provide information on state and federal resources available to businesses wanting to export products overseas and how to protect your company's intellectual property when selling and distributing products outside of the U.S.

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