1. What is the MET Program?
The Minority Exporter Training, or MET, Program (formerly known as the Export
Readiness Training Program) offers a personal and systematic approach to helping
minority and other under-represented U.S. agribusinesses learn the basics of
exporting. It is intended to help companies, associations, or cooperatives to
export successfully by developing an export business plan, learning to become
export savvy, and participating in a specific export event, such as a trade
mission, trade show, an international sale, or other similar activity. In brief,
the Minority Exporter Training Program provides the basic information needed to
enter the exporting field and to become a successful exporter.
2. Who administers the MET Program?
The MET Program is jointly administered by FAS through its Emerging Markets
Program (EMP) and the State Regional Trade Groups (SRTGs) which represent the
four geographic regions of the United States: South and Southeast, Northeast,
Midwest, and West. Each MET Program is implemented on a regional basis as a
partnership between FAS and the SRTGs, working on collaboration with other
organizations, e.g., state organizations, regional World Trade Centers,
appropriate universities.
3. What are the qualifications to become a part of the MET Program?
This program is open to U.S. businesses that have:
An exportable U.S. food or agricultural product;
A product already available in the domestic market;
500 or fewer employees for processors or 100 or fewer employees for
brokers or distributors.
Financial statements for the last three years prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting procedures and available for review;
A minimum amount of domestic sales;
Printed marketing materials already available for your product;
Less than one year of active experience as an exporter;
A staff willing to commit time and resources to enter an export market
within one year from the conclusion of the Program; and
The drive and desire to attend the training program and fulfill the work
requirements.
At least 70 percent of the companies which participate in any state must be
minority- or women-owned.
4. What type of training is provided?
Training is designed to suit the needs of a particular state or region and
tailored to educate participating businesses on how to become export ready.
Basic training starts with training modules.
The core training modules focus on a minimum of seven different areas of
knowledge and skills underlying successful exporting:
Exporting Essentials
International Marketing
International Shipping and Documentation
Methods of Payment, International Financing and Financing
Legal Aspects of Export Trade
International Management
International Business Plan
Modules may be adjusted according to the needs of a particular program.
5. Why should my business be a part of the Program?
If you have wanted to enter the world of exporting and you can foresee
significant advantage to your operations from doing so, but you aren’t certain
you have sufficient information to make the decision, or you need training in
order to begin, this program can help meet those needs. The Minority Exporter
Training Program provides hands-on training to small, new-to-export food and
agricultural processors and farming cooperatives. It prepares you for your first
export experience (a trade show, a trade mission, an international sale), helps
you develop an international business plan, and teaches you the basics of
marketing -- locating interested buyers, preparing your sales contract,
financing your sale, shipping.
6. When and where does this training take place?
The Minority Exporter Training Program is held at various times and locales
in your region. The SRTG covering your region will have this information.
7. How can my business participate in the Minority Exporter Training Program?
The Minority Exporter Training Program is currently available in California,
Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, South Carolina and Texas. Contact the SRTG in your
region for information on an MRT Program which may be scheduled for your state.
Expansion of the program is dependent upon sufficient interest of small
minority- and women-owned businesses, organizational entities seeking to
participate, and state departments of agriculture.
When an MET Program is planned for your state, the Program will be announced
and applications made available through a recruiting process. Applications are
reviewed by a committee comprised of individuals from the Emerging Markets
Program and the SRTG, the private sector, the state department of agriculture,
the training provider and other organizations.
8. How much will this program cost me?
There is a small charge for participation in this Program which is used to
defray part of the cost of the training materials. Participants are expected to
pay individual costs such travel expenses, lodging and meals, etc.
9. Are there any limitations on commodities in the Program?
All products must be agricultural in nature, preferably processed food
products and products from agriculture-related industries. Such products must
have a minimum of 50 percent U.S. content exclusive of water.
Otherwise, all agricultural products except tobacco qualify.
10. Is any long-term assistance provided?
After you have completed the Minority Exporter Training Program, you will be
in a position to begin to export your product yourself. We understand, however,
that challenges lie ahead that may require further assistance. For that reason,
at least one of your training sessions will include information on further steps
you can take, including participation in other government programs and
additional export opportunities (i.e., trade missions, Buyer Alert programs,
etc.)
In the end, of course, the ultimate success of the program is up to you.
