Idaho Small Businesses Learn How to Succeed in International Markets at Forum Hosted by Senator Crapo and Ex-Im Bank Chairman
BOISE, Idaho — Today, Senator Mike Crapo and Export-Import Bank Chairman Fred P. Hochberg hosted an exporter forum at the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce. More than 50 small and medium-sized business owners attended the event, which focused on how American companies can successfully export their products overseas. Attendees also received one-on-one trade counseling from Export-Import Bank experts.
Trade brings many millions of dollars every year for Idaho business and industry, said Senator Crapo, a member of both the Senate Finance and Banking Committees. For example, the Idaho Department of Commerce says Indonesia purchased more than $34 million in Idaho dairy products last year and Malaysia purchased more than $151 million in electrical machinery products.
Exports help boost sales for small and medium-sized business owners and are a critical driver of economic growth, said Chairman Hochberg. There is no stronger advocate for small businesses than Senator Crapo and I'm delighted we are working together to help Idahoans successfully compete in global markets.
During the forum, Chairman Hochberg gave an overview of Export-Import Bank's Global Access for Small-Business initiative, which seeks to increase the number of small businesses across the United States that export goods and services produced by U.S. workers. Local residents who were unable to attend can call Ex-Im's regional office at (949) 660-1341.
The Global Access program is supported by a wide variety of business, financial and government partners, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), and the Bank's 60-plus city/state partners located throughout the U.S. The Export-Import Bank has hosted more than 50 Global Access forums around the country.
About Ex-Im Bank:
Ex- Im Bank is an independent federal agency that helps create and maintain U.S. jobs by filling gaps in private export financing at no cost to American taxpayers. In the past five years (from Fiscal Year 2008), Ex-Im Bank has earned for U.S. taxpayers nearly $1.6 billion above the cost of operations. The Bank provides a variety of financing mechanisms, including working capital guarantees, export-credit insurance and financing to help foreign buyers purchase U.S. goods and services.
Ex- Im Bank approved nearly $35.8 billion in total authorizations in FY 2012 - an all-time Ex-Im record. Ex- Im Bank's total authorizations are supporting an estimated $50 billion in U.S. export sales and approximately 255,000 American jobs. For more information, visit www.exim.gov.