GlobeSt.com: What does the relaunching of WTC San Diego say about the state of San Diego's economy?

Clarke: The relaunch of WTC San Diego comes at a crucial time. Since 2010, San Diego's economy has been steadily growing each year. For the first time, our GDP is projected to be upwards of $210 billion in 2015, and it is fair to say, with thriving life sciences, defense, cybersecurity and software industries, we also have one of the most diverse and unique economies in the world. However, research shows that we are falling behind our peers when it comes to global engagement: San Diego is the 16^th-largest metro by GDP in the US, but it ranked 50^th in terms of export intensity and 49th in the US in terms of the percentage of jobs in foreign-owned firms.

So why does this matter? Global activity is a key component of growing our economy. By 2030, more than 60% of the global middle class will be outside of the US. Following that logic, if businesses want to continue to grow, they must engage with global customers. From a jobs perspective, global companies–those that export and receive foreign direct investment—pay their employees higher wages, increase productivity of the domestic market, are less likely to go out of business and spur efficient development of technology and R&D.

In San Diego, more than 110,000 jobs in San Diego are directly supported by international exports and foreign direct investment. FDI—when a foreign-owned entity based abroad invests in or creates a domestic entity (San Diego examples include Kyocera, BAE Systems and Ajinomoto Althea)—represented 5% of employment in San Diego in 2011, but accounted for more than 20% of goods exports, nearly 19% of corporate R&D and 15.2% of capital investment.

San Diego's current economic indicators—a stabilized economy, growth in high-wage industries and a sophisticated talent pool—put us on the brink of unprecedented economic growth. As WTCSD, my job is to capitalize on this favorable economic climate by helping companies export and bring foreign direct investment into the region.

GlobeSt.com: Where does San Diego begin to expand its global trading capabilities?
Clarke: For starters, we must continue to catalyze growth of our advanced industries or innovation economy. Advanced industries drive both exports and FDI. More than 44% of the region's jobs in foreign-owned establishments are in advanced industries, and the concentration continues to increase locally even though it has remained stagnant in the US. In 2015, we launched the MetroConnect Prize presented by JPMorgan Chase to help small and medium-sized enterprises go global and catalyze on this advanced industries growth. The MetroConnect Prize provided $10,000 in matching funds to 15 San Diego SMEs looking to take their products or innovations abroad.

San Diego also must play to its strengths. In addition to the large concentration of SMEs, we also have another unique competitive advantage: our border. We sit on the busiest land border crossing in the world. Foreign-owned entities can take advantage of San Diego's R&D capabilities and talent pool, while also leveraging the manufacturing capabilities of Baja (such as Samsung). Combined with Northern Baja, we have one of the world's largest medical-device clusters—a highly exportable industry.

We also must focus on the markets that matter most to our economy. And for the most part, we have. It is no coincidence that San Diego's two largest trading partners—London and Tokyo—are also the two direct intercontinental flights from San Diego International Airport. Because of our thriving biotech and life-sciences sectors, San Diego has strengthened its relationship with both London and Tokyo businesses and entities this past year. We must continue to forge more partnerships in the coming year.

San Diego's "brand" is also one of its most important exports. Enhancing our regional identity is a crucial part of this. Simply put, if the rest of the world is not aware of San Diego's dynamic industries and companies, it is much more difficult to attract FDI and export San Diego innovation. This year, we partnered with the tourism authority on National Geographic Channel's "World's Smart Cities" documentary about San Diego, which was shown in more than 60 countries across the globe. Additionally, we worked with the Brookings Institution to tell our story and launched an economic impact on the region's world research institutions. We will be exploring additional strategies to tell our story in 2016.

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about WTC San Diego?

Clarke: As part of the World Trade Center Association, WTC San Diego will connect San Diego businesses to a global network of more than 330 World Trade Center licensees in roughly 100 countries. This network allows direct access to many of the regions that matter most to our economy. WTCSD is here to help San Diego companies forge connections with new markets and businesses abroad.

One of San Diego's strengths is that we collaborate to compete. I would also be remiss if I did not mention another key institution of WTCSD—the Global Competitiveness Council. Representing nearly every facet of our region's economy—from business to academia to civic and government leadership—the GCC will be made up of key individuals that will advise WTCSD and act as the driving force behind San Diego's global success. We will be releasing more information on the GCC in 2016.