Posts Tagged ‘trade finance’

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Look South Campaign Focuses on U.S. Export Potential

February 5, 2014

Moshtayeen Ahmad recently completed an internship in the International Trade Administration’s Office for Export Policy, Promotion, and Strategy.The Look South campaign is encouraging companies to seek export opportunities in Latin America.

Favorable market trends in Latin America make the region an excellent potential market for your business’s products and services. These countries all enjoy open and regionally integrated economies and growing middle classes.

That’s why Commerce Secretary Pritzker is in Mexico on a business development mission – Mexico can be a great destination for your products and services, and a launching pad into more markets in the region.

The Department of Commerce’s Look South campaign is helping even more U.S. companies enter these markets and identify new opportunities in high demand industries.

Bilateral trade data shows that there is tremendous unmet potential for diversifying U.S. exports to Latin America. These countries are rapidly modernizing their industries and broadening their consumer base.

For small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), there are many opportunities in sectors where U.S. goods and services are highly desired. Some are highlighted in our most recent Country Commercial Guides, including medical equipment, agricultural equipment, franchising, and environmental technologies. SMEs have the opportunity to become globally competitive in many of these industries, but often are the least likely to be aware of opportunities beyond Mexico.

The Look South campaign takes advantage of already existing resources like local U.S Export Assistance Centers and commercial experts in each Look South market. Services include assistance in picking the right market for your business, getting your goods ready to ship, and understanding regulations in each country. Businesses can attend trade events that bring U.S. companies and foreign buyers together to expand on opportunities. The U.S. Commercial Service also offers guidance on trade financing assistance.

To get more detailed information on the best prospects and market intelligence for each sector in the Look South countries, visit our website.

You can also visit the Market Research Library (MRL) for a complete collection of all our market research, including our Country Commercial Guides, Best Market Reports and Market Research Reports.

Our team is standing by to help your business find success in Latin America. Find out how we can help!

Posted in Export Assistance, Look South, Trade Missions | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Look South Campaign Focuses on U.S. Export Potential

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Trade Finance Guide Helps U.S. Businesses Compete, Now en Español!

May 30, 2013

Yuki Fujiyama, a trade finance specialist with the Office of Financial Services Industries in the International Trade Administration, is the author of The Trade Finance Guide: A Quick Reference for U.S. Exporters.

The inaugural Spanish language version of the Trade Finance Guide was released at the May 8 “Trade Connect” workshop held at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. From right to left: Yuki Fujiyama of ITA, Hon. Sean Mulvaney of Ex-Im Bank, Cheryl Hines of Keylingo Translations, Bronwen Madden of CITD, Paul Thanos of ITA, Marta Chacon of FCIB, Diego Jiménez of FCIB, Norman Arikawa of the Port of LA, Carlos Valderrama of the LA Area Chamber, and Sergio Gascon of the MBDA Business Center.

The inaugural Spanish language version of the Trade Finance Guide was released at the May 8 “Trade Connect” workshop held at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. 

On May 8, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration unveiled the first Spanish language version of the Trade Finance Guide: A Quick Reference for U.S. Exporters.

The Guide is a simple and effective tool designed to help U.S. small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) learn the best ways to get paid from export sales. Now that the Guide is also available in Spanish, it can better help U.S.-based Hispanic and Latino companies compete in global markets.

What is the Trade Finance Guide?

The Trade Finance Guide covers 14 subject areas in easy-to-understand two-page chapters that are written in plain language. The Guide is:

  • A “60-minute” self-learning tool for new-to-export SMEs that wish to learn how to benefit from export sales.
  • A user-friendly tool for international credit, banking and trade finance professionals, as well as export counselors for client assistance.
  • A flexible educational tool for professionals teaching international business.

The Guide uses a no-nonsense approach to make it easy to understand appropriate payment methods and trade finance techniques when dealing with international transactions. There is a quick rundown of the pros and cons of each potential payment method, helping new-to-export companies pick the best method for them. The Trade Finance Guide has become one of the most popular export assistance resources published by the Commerce Department.

Spanish Language and Hispanic and Latino-Owned Businesses in the United States

The U.S. Census Bureau says Spanish is the primary language spoken at home by approximately 35 million people, a figure more than double that of 1990. The number of Hispanic and Latino-owned businesses, most of which are SMEs, increased by 44 percent to 2.3 million, more than twice the national rate between 2002 and 2007. These businesses generated $345 billion in sales in 2007, up 55 percent from 2002.

As the growing Spanish-speaking population continues its entrepreneurial growth, the Spanish version of the Trade Finance Guide will help their businesses enter into the global marketplace. The Guide will also help other American businesses work with buyers in Spanish-speaking markets, helping all U.S. businesses expand their exports.

Partnership and Cooperation

The Trade Finance Guide was created in partnership with the Finance, Credit, and International Business Association (FCIB) and in cooperation with:

The Guide’s Spanish language version was made possible through partial funding from the California Centers for International Trade Development and in collaboration with FCIB and the Commerce Department’s Minority Business Development Agency.

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What’s New in the Third Edition of the Trade Finance Guide?

November 27, 2012

This post contains external links. Please review our external linking policy.

Yuki Fujiyama, a trade finance specialist with the Office of Financial Services Industries in the International Trade Administration, is the author of The Trade Finance Guide: A Quick Reference for U.S. Exporters.

On November 13, 2012 in Philadelphia, we unveiled the third edition of the Trade Finance Guide: A Quick Reference for U.S. Exporters at the 23rd Annual Finance, Credit, and International Business Association (FCIB) Global Conference. Acting U.S. Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary for Services Industries Carlos F. Montoulieu released the new edition emphasizing that, “This concise and easy-to-understand guide is designed to help U.S. small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) learn quickly how to get paid from export sales in the most effective manner.”

What is the Trade Finance Guide?

Trade Finance Guide: A Quick Reference for U.S. Exporters, third edition

Trade Finance Guide: A Quick Reference for U.S. Exporters, third edition

The Trade Finance Guide covers 14 subject areas in easy-to-understand two page chapters that are written in plain language. The Guide is:

  • A “60-minute” self-learning tool for new-to-export SMEs that wish to learn how to get paid from export sales.
  • A user-friendly tool for international credit, banking, trade finance professionals and export counselors for client assistance.
  • A flexible educational tool for professionals teaching international business.

The Guide uses a no-nonsense approach to make it easy to understand the importance of choosing the appropriate payment method and trade finance technique when dealing with international transactions. With a quick rundown of the pros and cons provided in each chapter, new-to-export SMEs will find the Guide’s recommendations for when one payment method and trade finance technique is best suited over another particularly helpful. With some 300,000 copies distributed to the public since the release of its first edition in 2007, the Trade Finance Guide has become one of the most popular export assistance resources published by the Commerce Department.

What’s New and Unique?

The third edition of the Trade Finance Guidehas been updated with new key information, refined to provide better clarity and adds two new chapters:

The Trade Finance Guide 3rd edition is released at the 23rd Anual Finance Credit and International Business Association Global Conference. From L-R Marta Chacon, Director, North American Operations, FCIB, Robin Schauseil, President, NACM (FCIB’s parent – National Association of Credit Management), Carlos Montoulieu, Acting DAS/Services Industries, Yuki Fujiyama, Trade Finance Specialist, OFSI/MAS/ITA, Ron Shepherd, Director, Membership & Business. Development, FCIB

The Trade Finance Guide 3rd edition is released at the 23rd Anual Finance Credit and International Business Association Global Conference. From L-R Marta Chacon, Director, North American Operations, FCIB, Robin Schauseil, President, NACM (FCIB’s parent – National Association of Credit Management), Carlos Montoulieu, Acting DAS/Services Industries, Yuki Fujiyama, Trade Finance Specialist, OFSI/MAS/ITA, Ron Shepherd, Director, Membership & Business. Development, FCIB

  • Consignment which explains how selling on consignment can provide the exporter some greater advantages which may not be obvious at first glance
  • Government-Backed Agricultural Export Financing which describes how U.S. exporters of agricultural products can turn sales opportunities, especially in risky emerging markets, into real transactions and get paid.

In addition to new content and updates, the third edition also offers unique features that make the Trade Finance Guide one of the most user-friendly publications produced by the Commerce Department. The new Guide is:

  • Easily accessible online to anyone with internet access and designed for both easy download and on-screen viewing.
  • Printer friendly because it was designed with printing in mind.
  • Eco-responsible because it was designed for digital distribution and to only use the smallest amount of paper and ink or toner possible when printed.

In addition, the new Trade Finance Guide is the first official ITA publication to have adopted a QR Code to make it easy for those with smart-phones to access the Guide’s homepage in cyberspace.

Partnership and Cooperation

The Trade Finance Guide was created in partnership with FCIB and in cooperation with the U.S. Export–Import Bank, the U.S. Small Business Association, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the International Factoring Association, the Association of Trade & Forfaiting in the Americas, and BAFT-IFSA (Bankers Association for Finance & Trade–International Financial Services Association). FCIB, a two-time recipient of the President’s “E” Award, is a globally recognized business educator of credit and risk management professionals in exporting companies ranging in size from multinational to SMEs.

How to Obtain the Trade Finance Guide

Trade Finance Guide, third edition QR Code

Trade Finance Guide, third edition QR Code

The Guide is available through the U.S. government’s export portal, Export.gov/TradeFinanceGuide, both as a complete guide and as individual chapters for those only wishing to learn a specific trade finance technique. You may also scan the QR Code below to go straight to the Guide’s homepage.

Coming Soon: Trade Finance Guide in Spanish

The Commerce Department is currently working with the California Centers for International Trade Development to create a Spanish version of the Trade Finance Guide. The Spanish version will help SMEs expand their global presence, especially in Mexico and Latin America, where Spanish is the primary language. Please stay tuned as the Trade Finance Guide’s inaugural Spanish version is scheduled for release in a few months!

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