One of the best ways to promote the development of environmental technology is to introduce Pennsylvania's environmental firms to new markets. In 1997, DEP undertook several initiatives aimed at expanding our growing technical community's overseas base of operations. DEP participated in several overseas trade missions, including Secretary Seif's trip to Brazil, and Governor Ridge's highly successful trade mission to Asia. DEP also supported counter-trade missions in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia.

Overseas trade missions and counter-trade missions afford participating environmental firms the opportunity to meet face-to-face with foreign buyers, increases their market share and creates jobs back home. In fact, the 1997 trade missions are projected to bring in $75 million in sales and joint ventures to Pennsylvania companies. Recently available federal data show Pennsylvania's environmental exports nearly doubled between 1994 and 1996. Overall export growth outpaced the national average of 48 percent, mainly due to the export of $700 million in environmental equipment, a 100 percent increase since 1994.

Currently, 735 firms promote their environmental technology and services on the World Wide Web through the Pennsylvania Green Pages. A collaborative effort between DEP, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the Pennsylvania Green Pages is used by foreign buyers and governments to locate Pennsylvania firms specializing in the environmental products and services that they are seeking.