Greeley and Hansen to Join Commerce Department Trade Mission to Middle East

-- Chicago-based firm to help build local economic ties to the region on March 8–14 trip

CHICAGO, March 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Greeley and Hansen, a Chicago-based civil and environmental engineering and architectural firm, will accompany U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker on an infrastructure business development trade mission to the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Qatar from March 8 – 14, 2014. The governments and private sector in all three countries are planning major investments in infrastructure projects to address rapid growth.

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The focus of this mission is on export-ready U.S. firms providing products and services in a broad range of leading U.S. infrastructure sectors.  Project management and engineering (including design, architecture, and construction) will be a prime sector of emphasis during the trade mission, along with environmental technologies for water/wastewater, air pollution control, waste management, renewable energy, and smart grid and energy efficiency.

"The projected growth in these countries is phenomenal and can provide significant business opportunities for Greeley and Hansen's water and wastewater services," said John C. Robak, president and chief operating officer, who directs international business operations for the company. "We have an aggressive plan for international growth, and this trade mission will allow us to better assess the long-range needs of these countries for water and wastewater infrastructure and to identify potential opportunities for our business."

"As the country's Chief Commercial Advocate, a key part of my job is to promote trade and investment and connect U.S. businesses like Greeley and Hansen with potential customers across the globe. The fact is that 95 percent of customers worldwide live outside U.S. borders, and that is why promoting exports is essential to our economic growth and job creation," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritkzer. "The three countries we are visiting on our trade mission to the Gulf Region are among the top 50 export markets for the United States. Since the launch of the National Export Initiative in 2010, exports have increased 111% to the United Arab Emirates, 65% to Saudi Arabia, and 57% to Qatar. Clearly, the Gulf region is a critical area of focus for our nation and its businesses."

Greeley and Hansen's Andrew W. Richardson, chairman and chief executive officer, and Robak will both travel with the upcoming trade delegation, which includes business leaders from 21 U.S. companies.  Greeley and Hansen has participated in three previous Department of Commerce business development trade missions promoting U.S. exports for infrastructure.  "As a delegate on previous trade missions with the U.S. Commerce Department, I know that Greeley and Hansen will gain valuable information and insight into the market for our water and wastewater services in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Through this trip, we will also be able to establish contacts that can help us launch the expansion of our operations in these potential growth markets," said Robak.

About Greeley and Hansen
Greeley and Hansen is an international leader in developing innovative engineering, architecture, and management solutions for a wide array of complex water, wastewater, and water-related infrastructure challenges. The firm, which marks its centennial anniversary in 2014, has built upon 100 years of proven civil and environmental engineering experience in all phases of project development and implementation to become a premier global provider of comprehensive services in the water sector. Greeley and Hansen is dedicated to designing better urban environments worldwide.

For more information, contact: 
Nancy Stankus
+1-312-558-9000
nstankus@greeley-hansen.com