llinois SBDC International Trade Centers Named 2020 EXIM Regional Export Promotion Program Member of the Year
September 10, 2020
(Ex-Im Bank)
Trade Centers Connect Illinois Small Business Exporters to the Global
Marketplace
WASHINGTON — The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) International
Trade Centers (link is external) have been named the Regional Export
Promotion Program (REPP) Member of the Year by the Export-Import Bank of the
United States (EXIM). The Centers will be honored during EXIM’s 2020 Annual
Conference, the largest conference in the agency’s history, which is being
held virtually September 9-11.
A program of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
(DCEO), the Illinois SBDC International Trade Centers are comprised of eight
international trade centers that serve the statewide export community. The
Centers offer information, counseling, and training to existing and prospective
companies interested in pursuing international trade opportunities. The Illinois
SBDC International Trade Centers at DCEO have held more than a dozen
EXIM-related events and referred approximately $500,000 in EXIM authorizations
over the last two fiscal years.
“EXIM works well with the Illinois SBDC International Trade Centers,” said
EXIM President and Chairman Kimberly A. Reed. “They exemplify our Regional
Export Promotion Program partners, who utilize their local market knowledge to
personally reach companies, especially small businesses, and connect them to
EXIM’s financial tools and resources to help them export their ‘Made in the
USA’ goods and services around the globe. I congratulate them on this
achievement and look forward to their continued engagement with EXIM to deliver
even more successes for U.S. exporters.”
A strong commitment to export education for small business owners has been key
to the success of the Illinois SBDC International Trade Centers.
“EXIM’s finance solutions have been a driving force in increasing export
opportunities and minimizing potential financial risks for Illinois small
business exporters. To that end, our network of Illinois SBDC International
Trade Centers has continuously dedicated its efforts to promoting its programs
to exporters,” said Kevin Kim, an International Trade Specialist at the
Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at the College of Lake County in
Grayslake, Illinois. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with
EXIM and ensuring more products made by Illinois small businesses reach foreign
buyers. We appreciate this recognition of our team’s work as we keep moving
forward to new heights.”
REPP brings cities, counties, states, and local nonprofit economic development
entities together with EXIM in a partnership designed to expand export
opportunities. REPP members like the Illinois SBDC International Trade Centers
have local market knowledge and the ability to personally reach companies,
serving as vital resources to connect EXIM with businesses that want to reach
international markets. With 56 members in 35 states and two U.S territories, the
program has yielded more than $25 million in new authorizations though direct
referrals, connecting small businesses to the global economy.
U.S. companies, particularly small businesses, can utilize EXIM’s financing
tools and resources to increase their international sales, showcase their
“Made in the USA” products, and sustain American jobs. By partnering with
EXIM, exporters can mitigate the risk of nonpayment on international sales,
offer credit terms to foreign buyers, and access working capital loan
guarantees. In addition, EXIM has implemented several COVID-19 (coronavirus)
relief measures for U.S. exporters and financial institutions to enhance the
agency’s existing programs.
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