U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): International Trade
About
As SBA’s office for the support of small business international trade development, the Office of International Trade works in cooperation with other federal agencies and public and private sector groups to encourage small business exports and to assist small businesses seeking to export. Through 16 U.S. Export Assistance Centers, SBA district offices and a variety of service-provider partners, SBA direct and coordinate its ongoing export initiatives in an effort to encourage small businesses going global.
Mission
The mission of SBA’s Office of International Trade is to enhance the ability of small businesses to compete in the global marketplace; facilitate access to capital to support international trade; ensure that the interests of small business are considered and reflected in trade negotiations; and support and contribute to the U.S. Government’s international agenda.
Highlights
- Teaming Up for Global Competitiveness: Community Banks, Trade Credit Insurers and SBA
- Ex-Im bank, SBA Broaden co-guarantee program to help small business obtain larger working capital loans
Resources
- export.gov
- Export Legal Assistance Network – ELAN
- African Growth And Opportunity Act (AGOA)
- China Connections – CCPIT
- Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business: An Electronic Journal of the U.S. Department of State
Website
SBA Programs: International Trade
Contact
SBA Answer Desk
6302 Fairview Road, Suite 300
Charlotte, North Carolina 28210
1-800-U-ASK-SBA (1-800-827-5722)
Send e-mails to: answerdesk@sba.gov
Answer Desk TTY: (704) 344-6640
Business Information Assistants are available to speak directly with you between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM (East Coast Time) by calling the Answer Desk at 1-800-U-ASK-SBA (1-800-827-5722). Outside of these hours, you may hear a recording of the information 24 hours, seven days a week.
Whether you are starting a business or operating an established business, the US Small Business Administration has a variety of programs to assist you. Free one-on-one counseling is also available locally to help entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs in the areas of financing, management technology, government procurement, and other business related areas.
Before you write or call, you might save time by reviewing the following:
Dynamic Small Busines Search system/CCR issues: pronet@sba.gov or (202) 205-7312/7338 or Fax 202 481-5881
HUBZone issues: General e-mail for HUBZone: hubzone@sba.gov – For those needing an explanation of the eligibility criteria (application questions), call 202-205-7663; for those needing assistance with a technical issue, call 202-205-7302; for HUBZone contracting questions, call 202-205-6457; and, the after-business-hours (Washington D.C. time zone) referral number for HUBZone is: 202-205-8885.
See also…