The Export-Import bank of the United States (US Ex-Im) is being joined by Google to help American small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) increase or begin exporting.
This will be achieved through a series of “Exports Live!” workshops around the America, where the search engine provider and US Ex-Im will be joined by other federal agencies to deliver information to SMEs on identifying new markets and customers for US products and services, and obtaining government assistance and finance to turn sales leads into actual sales.
The workshops have run since August 2009 with about 1,800 SMEs, brokers and lenders attending the different events in 11 cities around the US.
However, this is the first time that Google has committed its support of the project.
US Ex-Im chairman and president, Fred Hochberg, thinks that the joint effort between the two organisations will help hit the targets set by the Obama administration for US exports: “I am excited that Google has agreed to work with us to help other US companies reach new international markets. Working together with Google helps us achieve President Obama’s goal of doubling US exports within the next five years.”
Stuart Small, head of acquisitions, Google US, adds: “There are now more than 1.2 billion people online worldwide and many of these users are ready and able to buy and research online. There are a lot of potential worldwide customers available for small and mid-sized businesses. Google can offer practical insight to help potential exporters, understand target markets and quickly and easily get started. The internet is helping reduce barriers, particularly in e-commerce.”
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