Program will pair students, faculty and Commerce trade experts with Maryland companies looking to grow globally
BALTIMORE, MD (May 12, 2016) – The Maryland Department of Commerce and University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business have launched the Maryland Global Consulting Program to provide global consulting expertise to small Maryland companies. Smith students, both graduates and undergraduates, will provide the consulting services through the school’s Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER), a Title VI center funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education. Student teams will be supported by Smith faculty and international trade and investment experts at Maryland Commerce. The consulting engagements will identify new or expand existing international strategies for client companies and work to solve international business challenges.
“International growth in trade and investments is one of the great areas of opportunity for Maryland companies and our economy as a whole. Our cutting-edge technologies and products and highly-skilled workforce give Maryland the ability to play and compete on the world stage,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill. “I could not be happier to forge this new partnership with the Smith School and bring together the bright and talented Smith students with faculty members and Commerce experts to give Maryland companies a leg up on their competition around the world.”
"The Smith School is well positioned to contribute to the growth of the Maryland economy. Our student talent has a strong track record of working with global and local companies engaged in international trade to solve the challenges they face,” said Alex Triantis, dean of the Robert H. Smith School of Business. “I am excited to be entering into this partnership with Maryland Commerce that will not only bring growth to our region, but also provide our students with real-world opportunities to practice their skills and contribute to the success of local companies."
The Maryland Global Consulting Program will address a range of issues for clients, including those in general strategy, marketing, finance, supply chain and logistics, and data analytics. Teams of five to six students, advised by Smith faculty and Commerce subject matter experts, will spend 14 weeks tackling the projects. MBA teams will provide 400 hours of consulting services and honors undergraduate teams will provide 200 hours. Participating companies will pay a flat fee of $2,000 for MBA teams and $1,000 for undergraduate teams to support the program.
Applications to the program will be accepted on an annual basis and are due to the Maryland Department of Commerce by June 15. Interested companies will meet with Commerce staff detailed to the international region in which the consulting project will focus. For the contact information of the appropriate staffer, contact Linda Reibert at
linda.reibert@maryland.gov or 410-767-0685.
Maryland’s Office of International Investment and Trade works to stimulate foreign direct investment in the state, offers export assistance for small and mid-sized Maryland companies and coordinates international trade and investment missions and trade show opportunities for Maryland companies. The state also maintains a network of eleven foreign trade offices overseas, including Canada (Montreal), China (Shanghai), Taiwan (Taipei), South Korea (Seoul), Africa (Nigeria), Mexico (Mexico City), Brazil (Sao Paulo), France (Paris), Israel (Tel Aviv), India (Delhi), and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai). For more information on resources available to businesses that want to market their products or services globally, visit our website.
About Maryland Commerce
The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State's many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit
commerce.maryland.gov.
