Russ: This is PKF Texas Entrepreneur’s Playbook. I’m Russ Capper. This week’s guest host and our topic once again is continuing on port advisory services, and I’m here with Keith Miceli, the international business advisor at PKF Texas. Welcome back to the Playbook, Keith.
Keith: Russ, nice to be back.
Russ: You bet. Okay, we sort of set the stage talking about the volume of business that’s taking place at the port now, which is incredible. And then we talked about the basic steps that somebody needs to go to in considering and deciding to get into the exporting business. What are the next steps?
Keith: Well, exporting as you know can be both very rewarding, but also extremely challenging. So we here at PKF Texas have launched a port-related advisory service which can provide value added for companies that are just starting up in the export business.
Russ: That sounds good.
Keith: We believe in the old adage that information is power, so we can provide information on logistics providers, free trade zones, freight forwarders, and warehouse operators, also information on investment-grade properties in and around the ship channel that can be leased or purchased for warehousing, distribution, and/or manufacturing. In fact, since 2006 nearly 13 million square feet has been developed and currently there’s 2.5 million square feet available.
Russ: My goodness. I agree, information is power. It seems like it’s almost essential in this business for sure.
Keith: It is. In the final stages of committing to launching an export business PKF Texas can assist in setting up mechanisms to take advantage of tax incentives to lower the effective tax rate on export earnings and discuss establishment rules for exporters using agents to distribute their products overseas.
Russ: Sounds comprehensive to me.
Keith: Yes.
Russ: All right. Thanks a lot, Keith. I really appreciate it.
Keith: My pleasure.
Russ: You bet. And this has been another Thought Leader production brought to you by PKF Texas Entrepreneur’s Playbook. Tune in next week for another chapter.