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DC Department of Small and Local Business Development Launches New Trade and Export Program for Small Businesses

Friday, January 6, 2012
ExportDC Program to expand business opportunities for DC small businesses in 2012

Washington, DC—The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is launching ExportDC, a program funded by the US Small Business Administration’s (SBA) State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant, a three-year pilot program launched by the President’s Small Business Jobs Act. The goal of ExportDC is to increase the number of DC small businesses that export, grow the value of current exports from District businesses, and coordinate trade missions for qualified District-based businesses. The program builds on the President’s National Export Initiative to double US exports and strengthen America’s competitive edge in the global market.

“The District of Columbia is an international city, and ExportDC provides an opportunity to expose our small and local businesses to international markets for their products and services,” said Harold Pettigrew, DSLBD Director. “Ninety-five percent of the world's consumers are outside of the United States, so exporting represents a frontier of business opportunities that can generate economic growth and stimulate job creation in the District.”

DSLBD will partner with the SBA’s Office of International Trade, the Virginia/ DC Export Assistance Center, the DC Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and other organizations committed to small business export development and the global competitiveness of small businesses. ExportDC will target key markets in Brazil, China, South America, and Mexico, and assist small businesses with costs associated with accessing training and marketing activities, including trade shows, language translations, and international product certifications. An international trade networking event sponsored by the Virginia/DC District Export Council will be held in the Rotunda Room of the Ronald Reagan International Trade Building on January 18, 2012, from 5:30 pm–7:30 pm to share information about exporting opportunities, and the ExportDC program. To RSVP, please contact [email protected]. For more information about the ExportDC program, please visit: http://dslbd.dc.gov/service/exportdc or contact DSLBD at [email protected].

About the District of Columbia Department of Small and Local Business Development

The District of Columbia Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) fosters the economic growth, development, and retention of District of Columbia based businesses, and promotes economic development throughout the District’s commercial corridors. For more information on all of DSLBD’s services, go to http://dslbd.dc.gov.

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