U.S. Commercial Service Programs

The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the International Trade Administration and helps U.S. small and medium sized business grow international sales by providing:

• World-class market research
• Trade events that promote your product or service to qualified buyers
• Introductions to qualified buyers and distributors
• Counseling and advocacy through every step of the export process

The U.S. Commercial Service’s worldwide network of offices and trade experts can help your company expand its international sales.
Please visit http://export.gov/index.asp for more details.

Matching Services

• The Gold Key Service - The Gold Key Service provides you with one-on-one appointments with pre-screened business and government contacts in your targeted export market.
• The Platinum Key Service - The Platinum Key Service allows U.S. companies to take advantage of longer term, sustained and customized U.S. Commercial Service assistance on a range of issues.

Research Services

• International Partner Search - Receive detailed company information on up to five pre-screened international companies that have expressed an interest in your company's products and services.
• International Company Profile - Prevent costly mistakes with quick, low-cost credit checks or due-diligence reports on international companies.

Other Matchmaking Opportunities

• Catalog Events - Promote your company in international markets without traveling. Catalog Exhibitions showcase your product literature, videos and samples to buyers and distributors in promising export markets around the world.
• Virtual Trade Mission - If your schedule or travel budget limits your ability to travel overseas, consider Virtual Trade Missions. An interactive two-hour videoconference lets you meet virtually.
• Video Services - No time or money to travel overseas to meet with your business partners? The USG offers video services that allow you to hold business meetings, attend market briefings, meet potential business partners and more, right from your local Export Assistance Center.

U.S. Small Business Administration Export Loan Programs

The U.S. SBA has placed a priority on helping these small business exporters by providing a number of loan programs specifically designed to help them develop or expand their export activities. If you own or wish to start a small export business, the following loans may be available to you:

• Export Express Loan Program - Fast and easy loans for small exporters
• Export Working Capital Program (EWCP) - The SBA provides lenders with up to a 90% guaranty on export loans up to $5 million as a credit enhancement, so that the lenders will make the necessary export working capital available.
• International Trade Loan Program - The International Trade Loan Program offers term loans for fixed assets and working capital to businesses that plan to start or continue exporting, or that have been adversely affected by competition from imports and need to retool to become more competitive.