Ex-Im Bank To Participate in U.S. Global Business Solutions – Interagency Initiative To Increase Small-Business Exports
April 3, 2013
(Ex-Im Bank)
Washington, D.C. – The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) will
participate in U.S. Global Business Solutions, a new interagency initiative to
expand the reach of federal export assistance and add 50,000 small businesses to
the nation's exporter base by 2017.
Announced today in Washington, D.C., by Small Business Administrator Karen
Mills, the pilot program will also aim at expanding the base of financial
institutions and service providers that facilitate exports, adding an
anticipated 250 trade-finance sources by December 2015.
"To keep our economy growing, we need more American small businesses to become
exporters," said Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. "Global
demand for 'Made in the U.S.A.' products and services is strong, but many small
businesses are unaware of the opportunities in international markets or are wary
of the risks. U.S. Global Business Solutions will facilitate interagency
coordination to provide them with the market assistance and financing tools they
need to begin or expand exporting, increase their revenues and create good,
middle-class jobs here at home."
Currently in development, U.S. Global Business Solutions will 'bundle' U.S.
government trade-finance products for lenders and exporters. The programs and
products will be combined into a single menu of options that will be tailored to
the stage of the exporter's development and the capacity of the financial
institution or service provider. The initiative will be designed to make it
easier and more cost-effective for exporters to use the programs and products of
multiple agencies.
Six federal agencies will be participating: Ex-Im Bank, the U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of
Commerce/International Trade Administration, the U.S. Trade and Development
Agency (USTDA) and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).
Increasing small-business exports is a major focus of Ex-Im Bank's 2013 Annual
Conference, being held on April 4-5 in Washington, D.C. Approximately 1,200
participants, including exporters, lenders and international buyers, are
attending. Vice President Joe Biden is among the distinguished government and
private-sector business leaders scheduled to speak.
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.