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.
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