GSU hosts State Trade and Export seminar
February 14, 2013 2:04PM
Updated: March 18, 2013 6:06AM
The Illinois International Trade Center at Governors State University, in partnership with the Illinois Office of Trade and Investment, recently held the State Trade and Export Promotion seminar at the school.
The event featured manufacturers, agriculture product traders, freight forwarders and other new and existing export businesses.
The keynote speaker was trade specialist Sam Ntum, who discussed the STEP program application guidelines, eligibility requirements and application process.
Other speakers included Jeff Graber from the U.S. Commercial Service; John Nevell, SBA regional manager of export loan program; and Mary Ma, International Trade Center director.
Representatives from export businesses shared success stories of export and STEP trade mission during the event.
“We received many positive responses from the audiences,” Ma said. “Attendees felt it was an informative event and will help small business. We plan on hosting it again.”
The STEP program provides Illinois companies with financial and technical assistance through the federal Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.
The STEP program is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses and features initiatives geared toward new-to-export or new-to-market companies.
The program funding includes support for group foreign trade missions, individual foreign market sales missions, gold key and export services provided by the U.S. DOC, trade show participation and product compliance certification services.
Information: (708) 534-7976.
Staff reports
