California has received $500,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration to increase export activities among small businesses. The funding, part of the State Trade Export Promotion program, will boost trade in foreign markets, – including China, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Mexico, – and encourage exports of information technologies, food and agricultural products, consumer goods and medical equipment.
“Small businesses can use these funds to identify international customers, market products globally, and make new business connections,” said Panorea Avdis, Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). “These resources, when added to the GO-Biz support businesses already receive, empower companies to scale-up operations, create new jobs and grow their local economies.”
California is one of the largest exporting states in the nation. The state exports more than $163 billion in products, about 11 percent of all U.S. exports. This international trade supports more than 706,000 California jobs. Top markets for California’s exports include Mexico, Canada, and China.
“On average, more than 25 percent of California’s agricultural production is exported,” said California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary Karen Ross. “This federal funding is a victory for farmers and ranchers, food manufacturers, and the rural communities where they operate.”
California’s State Trade Export Promotion (STEP) program is a partnership between GO-Biz, CDFA, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the Centers for International Trade Development. The program brings together state, federal, private and non-profit trade promotion organizations to promote export activities among targeted industries. California STEP is funded in part by a U.S. Small Business Administration grant.
from California Department of Food and Agriculture