Global Opportunities and New Markets

On May 8, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration unveiled the first Spanish language version of the Trade Finance Guide: A Quick Reference for U.S. Exporters.

The Guide is a simple and effective tool designed to help U.S. small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) learn the best ways to get paid from export sales. Now that the Guide is also available in Spanish, it can better help U.S.-based Hispanic and Latino companies compete in global markets.

What is the Trade Finance Guide?

The Trade Finance Guide covers 14 subject areas in easy-to-understand two-page chapters that are written in plain language. The Guide is:

• A “60-minute” self-learning tool for new-to-export SMEs that wish to learn how to benefit from export sales.

• A user-friendly tool for international credit, banking and trade finance professionals, as well as export counselors for client assistance.

• A flexible educational tool for professionals teaching international business.

With 95 percent of the world’s consumers living outside U.S. borders, helping U.S. companies find partnerships and customers in fast-growing markets is crucial to creating a strong and vibrant economy built on good middle class jobs.

As a part of our overall goal to increase American exports, next week, 20 U.S.-based companies will join me on an infrastructure-focused trade mission to Sao Paulo, Brazil; Bogota, Colombia; and Panama City, Panama.  Each of the governments of these fast-growing countries have ambitious infrastructure expansion and improvement plans for the years ahead. 

This trade mission will allow U.S. companies to highlight their cutting-edge technologies and world-class engineering services. The trade mission will also allow them to make the personal connections they need to expand their businesses and it will build on President Obama’s National Export Initiative, a government-wide strategy to promote American exports and create 2 million export-supported jobs by the end of 2014. Last year, U.S. exports hit another all-time record, reaching $2.2 trillion.  Between 2009 and 2012, exports have supported 1.3 million additional jobs.

Export, trade and finance related agencies across the federal government are teaming up during World Trade Month - May 2013 - to host a series of Twitter Q&A’s for U.S. companies. Businesses can participate by tweeting their questions using the hashtag #TradeChat during the scheduled times.

This Twitter chat series will provide U.S. companies with exporting solutions, including information on the resources available to begin or expand exporting goods and services to overseas markets. The Twitter chats will also provide an opportunity for firms to ask questions and connect directly with the U.S. government agencies that support President Obama’s National Export Initiative (NEI) and BusinessUSA.gov – a new one-stop resource for small businesses and exporters.

Schedule and topics:

Thursday, May 9^th at 2:00pm EDT: Export Opportunities

Information about export assistance, international business partnership programs, match-making, and market research will be shared. U.S. companies will also learn about the new BusinessUSA.gov website and how this one-stop resource can help businesses begin exporting or increase their exports.

Thursday, May 16^th at 2:00pm EDT: Financing

Export financing is often a key factor in a successful sale. U.S. companies should be aware of the many financing options available from U.S. government agencies to assist them with the export and trade process. This Twitter chat will provide firms with more information about the available financing options, including buyer financing, insuring foreign receivables, and working capital loans and guarantees.

U.S. Deputy Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank just announced that the inaugural SelectUSA Investment Summit will be held in Washington, DC from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, 2013.

The Summit will be the first of its kind, connecting businesses and investors from around the world with economic development organizations (EDOs) from across the country in an effort to promote investment in the United States and support the creation of American jobs. The two-day event will also amplify the work of SelectUSA in delivering on President Obama’s agenda to increase direct investment in the United States as a way to spur economic growth and create jobs.

The Summit will bring together international and domestic investors; national, regional, state and local economic development organizations (EDOs); senior Obama Administration officials; business leaders; and industry and technical experts, providing them with a unique opportunity to discover all the reasons why the U.S. is the ideal destination for companies that are weighing options for locating or expanding  their operations. During the two-day event, participants also will be able to explore potential investment opportunities in this country, as well as share best practices and build networks.