National Export Strategy 2002 - International Trade Administration ...

Expanded Outreach Effort:
Education and Partnering
Although there are a great many federal, state, and local agencies that provide
assistance and/or training for exporters, many business people who could
benefit from the programs are unaware of their availability. Focus group participants
who use the services of one agency were generally not aware that other services are
also available. Except in the case of very integrated U.S. Export Assistance Centers
(USEACs), these exporters were generally only aware of the specific agency that they
were using. Chart 9
demonstrates that small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
are not only more aware of the
Department of Commerce, but
also use more of the agency’s
services.
State and Local Partners
Ideally, coordinating outreach
efforts among the federal agencies
results in more integrated delivery
of services at the most appropriate
point in the exporting process. In
addition, integrated outreach and
service delivery at the state and
local level has proven to be an
effective way to leverage scarce
resources and expand outreach.
Incorporating elected officials into
this process through briefings and
jointly conducted training
sessions also dramatically
increases the number of small
companies who are aware of the
opportunities and understand
how to access the various programs. One focus group participant commented that
he appreciated the fact that his local USEAC “did a good job of getting him to the
right agency.” As a small businessperson, he felt this gave him access to programs
that he might not have found on his own.
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