SBA Signs Memorandum of Understanding with International Trade Administration and Republic of Turkey
September 29, 2011
(Small Business Administration)
WASHINGTON – Marie Johns, Deputy Administrator
of the U.S. Small Business Administration,
today signed a tri-partite Memorandum of
Understanding with the Department of Commerce’s
International Trade Administration (ITA) and
the Republic of Turkey’s Small and Medium
Enterprises Development Organization (KOSGEB)
to encourage collaboration to assist small and
medium-sized businesses with international
trade opportunities.
The MOU, signed during a luncheon held today at
the 29th National Minority Enterprise
Development (MED) Week conference will enhance
and improve cooperation between the
participants.
This year’s MED Week conference is focused on
helping minority small businesses expand their
operations and establish a presence in the
global marketplace while helping them weather
the current economic climate in the U.S. The
theme for this year’s MED Week event is
“Emerging Industries & Markets: A Blueprint
for Success,” and it is co-hosted by the SBA
and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority
Business Development Agency.
“We recognize the significant role that small
and medium-sized businesses play in driving
national economic prosperity,” said SBA
Administrator Karen Mills. “We are entering
into this important partnership between the
U.S. and Turkey to encourage the exchange of
information, including best practices,
networking and international trade
opportunities for small businesses.”
The roles of each of the participants in the
partnership agreement include:
The International Trade Agency intends to:
coordinate digital video conferences with the
SBA and KOSGEB to provide information, share
best practices and promote international trade
among small businesses;
The SBA intends to: organize briefings for
KOSGEB and representatives of Turkey about
SBA’s loan guarantee and technical assistance
programs, participate in an exchange of experts
for training and knowledge-sharing purposes,
explore meeting opportunities for U.S. and
Turkish businesses and provide KOSGEB with
information on SBA’s approaches to promoting
opportunities for small business;
KOSGEB intends to: share knowledge and
experience about policies, measures and
applications, exchange data and publications
about small and medium-sized businesses, host
an exchange of experts for knowledge-sharing
purposes, organize networking events, mutual
business trips to enhance the cooperation
between both countries’ small and medium-sized
businesses, and encourage and support
establishment of ‘Business Matching Centers’ to
improve the trade volume of both countries.
All of the participants plan to share relevant
information and best practices on innovation,
entrepreneurship and export promotion, and
international trade relating to small and
medium-sized businesses.
For more information about the Memorandum of
Understanding, visit www.sba.gov/oit,
and for information on MED Week 2011, visit: www.medweek.gov.
Welcome to the Exporting Source
Your one-stop resource for finding help to export to new customers, to learn about government export programs, to join export-promoting trade missions, to sign up for trade conferences and training, and to link to other exporting services. Whether you're an old hand at exporting or just getting started, the Exporting Source provides a place to locate foreign customers, export financing and foreign investment assistance.