From : U.S. Small Business Administration
Location : Washington , D.C.
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Question :
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Thank you all for participating in today's Web Chat. If we did not have the time to answer your question during this session, please contact your local US Export Assistance Center http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/internationaltrade/useac/index.html. Today's chat will be archived at www.sba.gov. I hope the information provided has helped you with the success of your business.
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From : Merlie P. Kerkhoff
Location : Huntington Beach , California
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Question :
Does SBA office have a classes and training on
Import and Export Business?
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Merlie,
Local state and federal resources combine efforts to provide training for new to export companies. Please contact your local USEAC or SBDC for upcoming training events.
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From : Sami Garshoni
Location : Gaithersburg , Maryland
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Question :
I am a managing partner of a franchised head hunting company. The company wants to sell its franchise internationally, How do we go about doing this. Thank you.
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Sami,
You should check with the foreign embassy or consulate office for your particular country of interest to discuss your project.
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From : Gregory Barbour
Location : Honolulu , Hawaii
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Question :
Dear Richard: I operate the Hawaii Foreign-Trade Zone which is an agency of the State of Hawaii. One of our programs is to run a large warehouse for small biz importing and exporting. We would like to do a cooperative marketing program with your agency regarding your new Patriot Express loan program. Have you done this in the past with other State agencies? Also, is there someplace on your website that you can promote State agency programs which help small biz with exporting? Mahalo
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From : Anthony G Rega
Location : Carlstadt , NJ
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Question :
If I am exporting into the country from another country, is it better to incorporate overseas?
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Anthony,
Please visit http://www.export-legal-assistance.org/ for international trade legal assistance from this SBA resource partner.
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From : rena mae brown
Location : georgetown , mississippi
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Question :
how do i go by get a business loan to buy my inventory
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Rena Mae,
We suggest that you visit with your local bank to inquire about your commercial loan. They may be a participating lender with the SBA. Good luck with your business.
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From : SALMA PARVEEN
Location : VALLEJO , CA
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Question :
I'm importer from India. I need money for buying
marchandise. Who will provid this money.
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Salma,
SBA can provide inventory working capital presuming you are importing from India. We cannot provide funding to foreign purchasers abroad. http://www.sba.gov/services/financialassistance/index.html
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From : Philip Berns
Location : Lathrup Village , MI
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Question :
My niece, living in Jakarta, is a double minority. She wants to buy a franchise, currently owned by an Indonesian. Is she eligible for a loan if I am a co-signer or co-owner of this franchise? Am I eligible for a loan to finance her?
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Philip,
SBA's programs and services are only available for new business startups, small business expansion and franchise acquisition in the US. We cannot finance transactions taking place overseas.
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From : Robert Hollero
Location : Calabasas , California
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Question :
Needs help to put up pv cells manufacturing in the
Philippines. Funding, buyers.
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Robert,
Please contact the US Embassy in the Philippines for more information. www.dos.gov
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From : E J Moffett
Location : Fairfax , Va
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Question :
What are the requirements for a US business to meet local (foreign) registration and taxation for work done exclusively for the US government on US govt property overseas? For example, a consulting engagement on an overseas US military base - does this require payment of foreign taxes?. Does it make a difference if the "customer" is another US business (not the military) also operating on the US military base?
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EJ,
Please contact the US Embassy in the country that you are refering to for answers pertaining to issues you have. The list of US Embassies is located at www.dos.gov
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From : Robert Delaney
Location : Slidell , La.
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Question :
Can the SBA help my company get bonding so we can bid on government contracts? If so, where or How do I start.
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Robert,
Please contact Mr. Frank Lalumiere, SBA's Office of Surety Bond Guarantees at Frank.Lalumiere@sba.gov. He will be happy to work with you.
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From : Jennifer Giltrap
Location : Sunrise , Florida
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Question :
I am currently working on a business plan for a non-profit organization aimed toward the eradication of poverty and Aids awareness and testing in Africa and I plan on doing alot of shipping between back and forth from Africa some most likely to the Port of Mombasa. How can you help my organization and what kind of advice can you offer me on saving money as I am going to be a non profit organization and budgeting is always an issue. Thank you!
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Jennifer,
SBA can only provide services and products to US small, for profit enterprises.
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From : Willie Yates III
Location : Norfolk , VA
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Question :
As a senior at Norfolk State University, I would like to know the best procedures for doing business with Sub-Sahara Africa?
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Willie,
Please contact the U.S. Dept. of Commere, International Trade Admin. regional director for Africa and the Middle East.
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From : Benjamin Essombe Penda
Location : Atlanta , GA
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Question :
How can I start my international trade business in the US.
H:404 474 1359
cel.770 990 9185
e-mail. sombeinter@yahoo.fr
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Benjamin,
In order to start your international trade business, you have excellent resources at Georgia Tech University, Small Business Development Center. The US Export Assistance Center is co-located there.
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From : James Safriet
Location : Lenoir , North Carolina
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Question :
We ordered furniture from China in October 2004 and paid a deposit and then full payment when the product shipped we never received the product and still no refund of the 28,000 we sent this has put us on the verge of bankruptsy about to loose this family business of over 50 years. The all the product was sold at time of order so we lost another 50,000 in profit from the containers and nearly 20,000 in interest since this fiasco has started. Are there any funds available either by loans or grants that can keep us from having to file bankruptsy and loose our home and business.
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James,
You should contact the US Dept. of Commerce, Office of Advocacy, Office of Dispute Resolution.
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From : ken kahler
Location : denver , colorado
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Question :
We import products from Italy and sell them to distributors in North America and the Caribbean Islands. Are you able to assist us in getting the financing we need to grow this company?
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Ken,
Please contact Dennis Chrisbaum, SBA's Sr. International Trade and Finance Specialist at Dennis.Chrisbaum@sba.gov.
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From : Steve
Location : Baltimore , MD
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Question :
Does SBA do anything to facilitate introductions to small businesses overseas, so that we can talk about possiblities for partnering as a way to get our foot in the door in foreign markets?
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Steve,
The SBA hosts networking sessions on a regular basis. The next one will be taking place in San Juan, PR on Sept. 21-22. For further information please contact Steve Sullivan, SBA's Office of International Trade, stephen.sullivan@sba.gov.
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From : Nalin Jain
Location : arlington , va
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Question :
Good afternoon Mr. Ginsberg,
We are the only SBDC in the Northern Virginia (part of VA SBDC and Mason) area to provide assistance to businesses in Exporting. One of our women owned small business is looking to provide assistance to American companies doing business in Middle East. They have done some work earlier in that area.
Could you advise how can they approach/find US companies looking to conduct business in that area?
Please recommend resources available
Thanks
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Nalin,
Please contact the US Dept of Commerce, International Trade Admin desk officer for the Middle East countries that you or your client have a particular interest.
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From : Robbie
Location : Dumfries , VA
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Question :
Where do i seek help to fund my business. I don't have any start-up capitol but I do have my product and I am ready to get started.
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Robbie,
It appears that you are ready to start your business. Now is the time to contact your local Small Business Development Center, SBA's largest resource center for technical assistance on any local or state requirements for your business as well as reference to sources of financing for your start up. http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/sbdc/sbdclocator/index.html
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From : John
Location : Columbus , ohio
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Question :
I am interested in the exporting Medical equipment to developing countries. Do you know of any statistical or country information conserning the building of hospitals, the requests to purchase equipment, or case studies of businesses that have done so.
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John,
Please contact the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, International Trade Administration or your local U.S. Export Assistance Center in Cleveland, OH. You should also check with the Ohio Dept. of Economic Development that probably offers special assistance in international trade.
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From : Nick
Location : Dublin , OH
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Question :
Is there an office that can help facilitate trade with Latin America?
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Nick,
The Dept. of Commerce, International Trade Admin. has both country and industry sector desk officers, specialists in specific countries pertaining to particular industries. http://trade.gov/index.asp
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From : Patrick Imbasciani
Location : Raleigh , North Carolina
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Question :
My company has been successfully distributing it's software state side for a number of years. We can apply it in any industry, however we've primarily focused on education. We're now looking to expand overseas. First, what marketing resources can you recommend to get the word out over seas about our company and products.
Second, what if anything do I need to be aware of regarding taxes when doing this type of business abroad.
Lastly, are there any government programs in education overseas that could possibly use our product, (for example military schools on US bases) and if so, how would we penetrate that market?
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Patrick,
Your closest US Export Assistance Center is in Charlotte, NC. They can provide you most of the answers to your questions and can also provide you referals to perhaps other state and federal agencies regarding your specialty software. http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/internationaltrade/useac/index.html
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From : Katy
Location : Fairfax , VA
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Question :
Does SBA have any information or offer any assistance in developing partnerships with foreign companies to faciliate exporting?
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Katy,
This is a function of the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, International Trade Admin., Commercial and Foreign Commercial Services Division. The US has trade specialists in over 100 countries to facilitate access to markets and prospective buyers in those markets for US goods and services. For a listing of U.S. Export Assistance Centers visit http://www.export.gov/eac/index.asp. SBA has trade finance specialist in 16 of these U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEAC) http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/internationaltrade/useac/index.html
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From : Michelle
Location : Trumbull , CT
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Question :
As a woman owned business, do I have to be certified in any of the government programs to work internationally?
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Michelle,
International markets are open to all businesses looking to take advantage of global opportunities for increasing sales. 96% of the world's population/consumers live outside of the US representing two thirds of the world's purchasing power. These two statistics should encourage most of our small business enterprises to engage in international commerce. SBA, the U.S. Department of Commerce and other trade related federal agencies are all here to lead the way for you and many other small businesses in taking your business global.
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From : J. M. "Mickey" Conway
Location : Greenwood , SC
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Question :
Could you please talk briefly about the major finance programs available for small businesses which need to borrow funds to assist in their export plan(s). Thanks.
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Mickey,
SBA has four special finance programs to finance exports and to prepare the exporter for their international transactions. This funding is provided by our partner banks around the country whereby SBA provides loan guarantees. Please refere to the finance our international trade office website at http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/internationaltrade/finance/index.html. The Export Import Bank of the US similarly has export working capital loan and export insurance programs for US exporters.
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From : U.S. Small Business Administration
Location : Washington , D.C.
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Question :
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Good afternoon everybody and welcome to SBA's Web Chat on international trade. We will endeavor to answer all of your questions during this one hour session. Otherwise, we suggest you refer to our website at www.sba.gov/international. Shall we begin?
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