Tools and Assistance Offered by the U.S. Government and various NGOs

You have your small business and a product that you are excited to offer to the world. You have considered all the benefits and potential pitfalls of international expansion and have selected a way to start. STOP. Did you know that the U.S. Government has several tools and resources available to U.S. manufacturers to help you reach international buyers? Several agencies and NGOs are working to help U.S. businesses with global trade.

1. The United States Department of Commerce is dedicated to promoting the growth of the U.S. economy “by ensuring fair and reciprocal trade, providing the data necessary to support commerce and constitutional democracy, and fostering innovation by setting standards and conducting foundational research and development.”  The department offers several services to the U.S. manufacturers interested in exporting. The Commerce Department provides many services that a new or experienced U.S. export can benefit from. Those services range from basic market information and research to setting up trade events and connecting with foreign buyers. They have information on Intellectual Property in the scope of global trade.
2. United States Department of Agriculture – This is one of the United States government’s biggest entities, with 29 agencies covering different aspects of U.S. agriculture from science and research to Food Stamps, Crop Insurance and Marketing. Not many people know that USDA has an agency dedicated to promoting U.S. agricultural products globally, the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). FAS works on developing and executing international marketing programs promoting different agricultural commodities. They do it through co-operation with several NGOs that specialize in various sectors of agriculture. In addition to marketing programs, FAS international staff writes and offers to the public free International Market Reports – that have pervasive research on labeling, ingredient, and registration requirements.
3. Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is a government-financed bank that provides financial assistance and export credit insurance through different programs. The one that stands out the most for a small business venturing into the international trade is the Export Credit Insurance. It offers “solutions to protect against foreign buyer nonpayment and support the export of American-made goods and services.”(Ex-Im) The Export Credit Insurance is a great tool that ensures outstanding payments from your international buyers. It allows businesses to offer open account payment terms to their international partners while ensuring that the US exporter still gets paid in the event if the foreign entity fails to pay.
4. States (Departments of Commerce and Agriculture) – Agriculture is a major sector of the US economy and is very important to all 50 States. That is why States have dedicated staff responsible for promoting agricultural commodities grown in that State. In addition to supporting the growers and harvesters, States support manufacturers and exporters of Consumer Packaged Good based headquartered in their respective territories. Great examples of such support could be the Organic Certification Cost Share Program – ran by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. Maine International Trade Center (MITC) works with federal and state governments on promoting Maine industries and companies. They are technically not a State agency; it is “a public-private partnership. MITC activities are supported by annual membership dues of nearly 300 businesses and organizations, corporate sponsors, and the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD).” (MITC)

As we continue, I will continue with this topic and will dive into the non-governmental sector. We will explore some of the programs and tools provided and administered by NGOs.

If you have any questions meanwhile please do not hesitate to reach out: info@bh-imbc.com