In 2022, women still have less access to funding and report lower financials than men. Capital is the lifeblood of any business, but especially small business. Without adequate financing, through microloans, commercial lending, or investment capital, most entrepreneurs cannot start new businesses or grow their existing companies. Listen in to Deputy Associate Administrator Claire Ehmann and SBA Export Finance Manager Patty Brewer to learn about the different types of financing and funding available to businesses. The complete summit playlist is also available here.
OIT Leadership Featured on Greater Washington Urban League’s ‘Trade with Africa’ Series
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SBA’s Christine Brown Presents Virtually to GWUL Attendees
On November 9, the Greater Washington Urban League hosted the first installment of a webinar series “Africa Workshop Series: Getting Black-Owned Small Businesses Ready to Grow Globally,” geared towards Black-owned businesses interested in learning more about trading with Africa. SBA’s Director of Trade Policy Christine Brown presented on SBA’s programs and services to support US small businesses exporting to Africa. Ms. Brown also shared information on the U.S. government’s Prosper Africa Initiative that aims to increase two-way trade and investment between the U.S. and Africa. For more information and upcoming events, please visit www.prosperafrica.gov. Participants also heard from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the District of Columbia Mayor’s Office.
Deputy Associate Administrator Moderates “Outstanding Exporter Panel” at 2022 Summit
On Nov. 16, Deputy Associate Administrator for International Trade Claire Ehmann moderated a panel of small business success stories at the 2022 National Small Business Exporter Summit, hosted by NASBITE International. This event brings together the top small and medium-sized exporters, trade professionals and trade assistance providers from across the United States, providing them with an opportunity to exchange and share best practices and lessons learned that have contributed to their export success.
SBA Participates In CanArtic Reverse Trade Mission
SBA joined the U.S. Commercial Service Canada to share exporting resources with U.S. small businesses participating in a reverse trade mission of a delegation of Inuit and First Nations indigenous corporations from Canada’s Northern regions and the Arctic to Washington, DC. SBA met with businesses interested in doing business in the Artic at the Embassy of Canada and a business-to-business matchmaking hosted by the National Center for Native American Enterprise Development. The delegation presented opportunities for U.S. businesses operating in the defense, energy, cleantech, dual-use infrastructure, IT, and mining exploration and critical minerals sectors as well as those specifically interested in partnering with indigenous firms in the Artic. In case you missed the visit, the official delegation guide provides information about each of the delegation members. |
Global Entrepreneurship Week Webinar:
Conversation on Refugee Entrepreneurial Success
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Global Entrepreneurship Week celebrates and empowers entrepreneurs in every country and community around the world – especially those individuals who face structural barriers or may have never considered the idea of launching their own startup. Entrepreneurial spirit fuels our nation’s economy. That willingness to be innovative – adapt to changing marketplaces, meet customers’ needs and develop new ways to deliver products and services – has never been stronger.
On November 18, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman and Hans Van de Weerd, Senior Vice President for Resettlement, Asylum & Integration, of the International Rescue Committee hosted a webinar to celebrate immigrant entrepreneurs. They were joined by entrepreneurs from around the world who have overcome incredible odds to seek safety and economic security by starting their own small business in the United States. Participants also learned how the U.S. Small Business Administration can help entrepreneurs can pursue their dream of small business ownership. OIT welcomes the International Rescue Committee and other Community Navigators in their help educating small businesses on exporting. Listen to the Recording!
OIT IN THE NEWS
New Free Resource Designed for Female Entrepreneurs: Growing Globally
SBA launched our latest digital tool to walk small businesses through the international trade journey this fall with “Growing Globally”, one of several training courses housed in the revamped Ascent online learning platform. “Growing Globally” specifically explores ways women entrepreneurs can expand their small businesses into new international markets. “Growing Globally” highlights six modules. |
SBA Represents the Voice of US Small Businesses
In US-Taiwan Trade Talks
On November 8-9, 2022, SBA joined the US Trade Representative and interagency partners in New York City for discussions regarding the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade. Launched earlier this year, the purpose of the initiative is to deepen our trade and investment relationship, advance mutual trade priorities based on shared values, and promote innovation and inclusive economic growth for our workers and businesses. The meetings were held between the United States and Taiwan, under the auspices of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO). During the meetings, the two sides exchanged views on the key concepts to be addressed in several of the trade areas set out in the negotiating mandate for this new initiative, which can be found here.
Reminder: Make Your Voice Heard on China Tariffs
On October 17, the US Trade Representative (USTR) issued a Federal Register Notice seeking public input as part of the statutory four-year review of the tariff actions in the Section 301 investigation of China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation. The public comment portal is open to the public now through January 17, 2023, at 11:59 pm (EST). Written comments must be submitted to https://comments.USTR.gov. This is an opportunity for the public, including small businesses, to weigh in on the effectiveness of the tariff actions in achieving the objectives of the investigation, other actions that could be taken, and the effects of the actions on the United States economy, including on small businesses. When submitting comments, SBA and USTR request that small businesses self‐identify themselves in their comments to help identify issues of particular interest to small businesses. For more information, please contact USTR’s Associate General Counsels Philip Butler or Megan Grimball on USTR’s Section 301 Hotline at 202-395-5725.
SBA SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
October was National Manufacturing Month!
Financing Manufacturing Exports | Recording Available
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OIT Associate Administrator Gabriel Esparza moderates a panel with Pat Hayes, SBA Export Finance Director; David Velez, Vice President of SBA Lending at Regions Bank; Anand Mohan, President of Pantex Ennerflo Systems; Miguel Carranza, OneSource Risk Management
Trade remains an engine of growth for America. Manufacturers need capital to take advantage of these opportunities. Join us for an intimate conversation with a fellow manufacturer and their banker as we discuss challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned for financing global sales growth. Calling all manufacturers: Whether you are new to export or currently exporting and looking to grow your sales, this webinar is must see!
November is National Entrepreneurship Month!
Grow Your Sales: Global Entrepreneurs Share Export Success Stories & Advice Webinar Recording
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Listen to the webinar panel discussion with Gabe Esparza, Associate Administrator, SBA’s Office of International Trade; and small business owners Angie Yu of Two Rivers Fisheries, Klein Ileleji of JUA Technologies International, and Tom Britz of Glacier Hops Ranch. The discussion shares a breadth of information on how to take your business to international customers. Hear tips and tricks directly from small business owners who share their first-hand experiences of entering the global marketplace, how the U.S. Small Business Administration helped them to do so, and advice for future exporters on dos and don’ts.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Complying with U.S. Export Controls Seminar
Daily Nov. 29 – Dec. 2 12-3p ET
REGISTER
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) will be offering a virtual training seminar on how to comply with U.S. export controls. For event details and to register, click here. The final day to register is November 25, 2022. For further information please contact the BIS Western Regional Office at (949) 660-0144, (408) 998-8806, or by email.
For Small Businesses: Grow Your Sales Through Trade
Dec. 7th at 2p ET
REGISTER
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Are you a small business looking to expand? Did you know that the best way to boost your bottom line is to look outside of our US borders. Selling internationally can help protect your bottom line from the ebbs and flows of one domestic market, while granting you access to more buyers. Learn about access to markets, access to grants, and access to capital to help your business enter the global marketplace! Join experts from the U.S Small Business Administration’s Office of International Trade to hear how you can:
- access export resources
- find international buyers
- obtain financing
- protect your foreign receivables
E-commerce for Native American Artists & Craftspeople
Dec. 8th at 2p ET
REGISTER
Join the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Department of the Interior’s Indian Arts and Crafts Board, and Indian Dispute Resolution Service (IDRS, Inc.) on December 8 for its final installment in its year-long series on e-commerce for Native American artists and craftspeople. Register here and view recordings of prior discussions. |
UPCOMING TRADE MISSIONS
Access ASEAN: Explore Business Opportunities in Southeast Asia and Beyond!
Bangkok, Thailand | March 13-15, 2023
REGISTER
Join the U.S. Commercial Service in Bangkok, Thailand for the largest U.S. government-led trade mission and business development forum. Organized by the U.S. Commercial Service, Trade Winds will feature meetings with U.S. commercial diplomats from over 20 countries in Asia, exciting conference programming, and plenty of networking. For detailed information on how your small business can participate in TradeWinds ASEAN please contact Richard.Swanson@Trade.Gov |
Executive-Led Middle East Clean Tech Trade Mission Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Israel | March 12-27, 2023
REGISTER
The executive-led trade mission will introduce U.S. companies and trade associations to the United States’ largest trading partners and four of the largest economies in the Middle East, all of whose governments are investing heavily in Clean Tech to contribute to the global fight against climate change and to diversify and develop their economies. This mission will also offer an opportunity for participants to meet with key Saudi, Emirati, Israeli, and Qatari project decision makers while in the presence of a senior Commerce Executive – and such senior leader messaging is vital in a region where governments play such an important role in the economy. Participating firms will gain market insights, make industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and advance their own specific projects, all with the goal of increasing U.S. Clean Tech goods and service exports to the region.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Deadline Almost Here!
Are You the SBA’s 2023 Exporter of the Year?
The SBA is now accepting applications from ALL 50 states and six territories to be the 2023 SBA Small Business Exporter of the Year! Tell us your international trade story for a chance to be named the next top exporter. Be sure to apply now! |
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SBA Office of International Trade409 3rd Street, SW, 2nd Floor If you are ready to begin exporting or to expand to additional global markets, please email us at international@sba.gov and let us know what resources you are interested in. Subscriber Services |
    
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