By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Success of the fourth largest aerospace and defense firm in the world will be featured at the 2002 World Trade Week Dinner and Forum at the Buffalo Convention Center Wednesday night. The World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara is host of the event. This year's theme -- "power of connection."
BAE Systems employs 120,000 people world wide, trading in eight global markets. It's North American divisions employs 22,000 in 30 states. The company creates electronic controls and avionics for the defense and aerospace industry. It boasts annual sales of $18 billion. Terence Black is managing director of BAE Systems Capital, a financing arm of BAE in the United Kingdom. He will be the keynote speaker at the World Trade dinner. Black says in today's environment, world trade is important for businesses and citizens. He says it can help build bridges between people and nations.
"I do belive world trade and cross border trades is a way in which companies can grow beyond limitations which may be imposed by their local markets," Black said.
Black says the events of 9/11 impacted every business sector and created difficulties for global business. But he says at the same time it also strengthened global trade.
"I believe the coalition against terrorism is seeing nation's coming together in a way perhaps they would have been slower to do before 9/11," Black said. "I believe in the long run, the impact of 9/11 will be beneficial in helping to develop contacts across the globe in world trade."
BAE is also a supplier of a hybrid electric propulsion system -- a technology for reducing bus emissions. Some of those buses are being used in New York City.