Georgia Companies To Benefit From Improved Access To International Trade Services And Resources

ATLANTA, December 9, 2011 — Small businesses interested in growing their exports can now apply for new or lower cost export services online. These services are made available due to a grant that the Georgia Department of Economic Development received from the Small Business Administration (SBA). The grant provides both new export services and reduced fees for some existing export services for qualified small- and medium-sized businesses. By registering for the state's trade services online at http://trade.georgia.org, Georgia companies will also receive advance notice of international trade missions and trade shows. There is no cost to register, and registration is necessary to access these services.

'The SBA grant provides new tools and resources to reach more small- and medium-sized businesses to help them increase exports, which in turn creates more jobs at home in Georgia,' said Kathe Falls, director of the International Trade Division at the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). 'When a Georgia company partners with the state's International Trade office, it gains access to research, online assistance, training, financial opportunities and in-country market assessments. It also receives assistance with trade shows, international trade missions, in-country matchmaking appointments, connections with international buyers and trade opportunity alerts. Most of the state's trade services are offered free of charge.'

Increased exports are good for Georgia and Georgia companies. Exporting is not just about increasing profits: it is also about helping companies diversify markets, and gain a competitive edge through global exposure to new technology, innovations and competition. In Georgia, companies that sell overseas grow an average of 18 percent faster than those that don't, and their workforces are typically 10 to 15 percent more productive. Increased international sales volumes also lower overall production costs and lead to increased profitability.

Georgia's exports exceeded $28.9 billion in 2010, an increase of more than 20 percent over the previous year and the most Georgia has ever exported in a single year. In the past 10 years, Georgia exports have grown nearly 100 percent. The number of deals facilitated by Georgia's International Trade team has more than doubled since its 2006 fiscal year. During fiscal year 2011, GDEcD's 10 international offices assisted with 60 percent of these deals. According to the International Trade Administration, Georgia is home to more than 10,000 exporters, of which 83 percent have fewer than 500 employees.

For information about the state's trade services, please contact Ms. Taube Ponce, senior international trade manager and manager of Georgia's SBA grant, at 404-962-4118 or by email at [email protected].

About GDEcD
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) plans, manages and mobilizes state resources to attract new business investment to Georgia, drive the expansion of existing industry and small business, locate new markets for Georgia products, inspire tourists to visit Georgia, and promote the state as a top destination for arts events and film, music and digital entertainment projects. Visit www.georgia.org.