IRVINE : International Look in Business Program

The city’s civic, business and education leaders have started a program designed to make Irvine a greater force in international business and help local entrepreneurs tap overseas markets.

“It doesn’t take the brightest porch light on the block to see that this community is developing an international character,” Mayor Larry Agran said after a Wednesday conference at the city’s civic center.

Agran said one-fourth of the industrial development in Irvine has been sold to foreign nationals. He added that a recent survey showed that between 500 and 600 businesses in the community have international ties or are interested in establishing such connections.

Yogi Sharma, a yoga master and adviser to the mayor on international affairs, said he has already received inquiries from India about investment in Irvine.

“More than half the people here are doing business with other countries,” he said of the others attending the conference. “We should do something about it to help our local businesses.”

City leaders claim that Irvine is different from other communities interested in investment abroad. Since Irvine has no aging industrial or urban base that needs to be redeveloped, the city can focus on economic expansion and diversification.

“The bottom line, real simply, is that international business is here to stay,” said Larry Larsen, the city’s officer for international affairs. “If Irvine is interested in having a growing economic environment, we ought to focus more attention on helping businesses position themselves in the global marketplace.”

Under a plan developed by the city and King International Group, a consultant, the city would have a full-time coordinator of international affairs and a consortium would be established to contribute to the community’s international economic development efforts.

The program would be paid for by the businesses involved and should ultimately cost the public nothing, Agran said.

The plan is set to come before the Irvine City Council in six to eight weeks. “In creating this kind of specific consortium with a clear mission, the opportunities are limitless,” Agran said.