(Note: This text-only version does not contain illustrations or photographs) Published January 2003 by the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) Program. SABIT Training Program New markets require innovative approaches... www.mac.doc.gov/sabit Relationships based on trust are the most significant aspect of business in Eurasia. SABIT While Eurasian markets are full of opportunity, there are an equal number of risks that must be managed for this potential to be realized. Success comes from defining the right strategy - the right approach, an innovative approach. The Special American Business Internship Training Program (SABIT) offers just that. Providing U.S. organizations with innovative training programs that reduce market access barriers and minimize commercial risks, SABIT has helped more than 1,000 organizations develop relationships with potential customers, distributors, and partners in Eurasia. SABIT manages two training programs that assist organizations in defining the right approach: • The Grants Program covers a share of the costs of hosting Eurasian managers and scientists for three to six months of professional training. • The Group Program invites delegations to the United States for four weeks of industry-specific training at sites across the country. "The SABIT interns of today become the entrepreneurs of tomorrow." WILLIAM H. LASH, III Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance U.S. Department of Commerce SABIT operates in the following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Public-private partnerships form a basis for business development and lead to results. Promoting Partnerships and Generating Results • SABIT has facilitated more than $220 million in export revenues and overseas investment. • A high percentage of hosts enter into joint ventures, distribution agreements, and contractual arrangements with their trainees. • Hosts have formed cooperative research and development partnerships with Eurasian scientists that have led to the development and commercialization of marketable research and technologies. • Through the transfer of local knowledge from trainees, hosts have achieved continued success in areas such as market access, certification, customs, taxation, logistics, forming contacts, and accessing marketing data. • Hosts operating in Eurasia have expanded relationships with existing partners and established additional regional representative offices. For specific examples of how organizations have used the SABIT Training Program to achieve results in Eurasia, visit www.mac.doc.gov/sabit. Results "Compressor Controls Corporation has succeeded and . . . continues to succeed in Eurasia because of SABIT." STAN PSHONIK Director, Corporate Communications Compressor Controls Corporation "The SABIT program allowed us to meet and impress foreign officials and business persons in whose countries we have a commercial interest and with whom we might have business dealings in the future." BRUCE HATTON Vice President and General Manager McDermott International, Inc. "The information and resources offered by BISNIS and SABIT . . . are exactly what the business community wants and needs from the Commerce Department." EUGENE K. LAWSON President U.S.- Russia Business Council SABIT Grants Facilitate International Cooperation SABIT offers competitive grants to cover a share of the costs of hosting mid- to senior-level Eurasian managers and scientists for three to six months of professional training in U.S. business practices. Any profit or non-profit organization or institution may apply. The SABIT Grants Program is ideally suited for small and mediumsized businesses that are new-to-market exporters or first-time exporters looking to establish longterm relationships with potential customers, distributors, and partners. Structured as reimbursable awards, the grants cover: • Round-trip airfare from trainee's home country. • $34 per diem for trainee. • Up to $750 per month for housing costs. SABIT accepts applications once a year. Register to receive notification when funding is available at www.mac.doc.gov/sabit, or send an e-mail to sabitapply@ita.doc.gov. Reducing market access barriers and the risks of doing business in Eurasia. Market Access "Hundreds of you [SABIT alumni] have gone through this Commerce Department training program . . . so that you would come to understand how the free market works, and how much it can benefit people . . . your family, your friends, your neighbors, and your fellow citizens." DONALD L. EVANS Secretary of Commerce U.S. Department of Commerce "Since 1995 when Hoffman was first introduced to SABIT, I have found it to be a strong tool in promoting the export of U.S. products and services as well as American business practices." MUSYA TUMANYAN Vice President Hoffman International, Inc. Exposing Eurasian Decision Makers to U.S. Products and Business Practices The SABIT Group Program invites delegations of non-English speaking managers and technical experts to the United States for four weeks of industry-specific training at sites across the country. SABIT arranges group logistics and covers costs associated with accommodations, transportation, and simultaneous interpretation. In addition to attending conferences and round tables, trainees visit a variety of public and private sector companies, institutions, and associations. Hosts volunteer to share their knowledge and expertise with delegations through presentations and site visits, which vary in length from a few hours to several days. Organizations interested in hosting a specific delegation are encouraged to contact SABIT. An updated Group Program schedule is available at www.mac.doc.gov/sabit. The future is shaped through constructive dialogue and mutual understanding. Impact "We at TDW believe that we have not only established a business relationship with the trainees but we have brought our countries closer together, making the world a little smaller, having a better understanding of one another, and hopefully making the world a better place to live. We will continue to participate in this program." LARRY PAYNE Manager, Pigging Products T.D. Williamson, Inc. "SABIT is an excellent tool for facilitating business relationships. I would recommend it to any firm interested in developing business ties in Eurasia." JOE ALGEO Marketing Manager Arbor Crest Wine Cellars Responsive to the business and scientific communities and the dynamic Eurasian business climate. Past Participants SABIT programs are responsive to the interests of the U.S. business and scientific communities, and they address the technical assistance needs of Eurasia. Since 1990, more than 1,000 organizations have hosted over 2,500 trainees. Participants conduct business in various sectors, such as energy, telecommunications, agribusiness, and scientific research. Small and medium-sized businesses, industry associations, scientific research institutions, and non-profit organizations have all benefited from SABIT programs. Participants have included such organizations as: 3M Albany-Tula Alliance American Iron and Steel Institute American Road and Transport Builders Association Association of American Railroads Boeing Cargill, Inc. Caterpillar, Inc. Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce Chevron Texaco Corp. Colorado School of Mines Financial Services Volunteer Corps Florida Power and Light General Electric Goodwill Industries, Inc. A list of the small and medium-sized businesses, industry associations, scientific research institutions,and non-profit organizations that have benefited from SABIT programs is available at www.mac.doc.gov/sabit. Halliburton Company Honeywell International Kaiser Permanente International Kennedy Krieger Research Institute Kentucky Broadcasters Association Lonely Planet Publications Louis Berger Group Maryland Department of Agriculture National Roofing Contractors Association National Trust for Historic Preservation Port of Tampa Raytheon U.S. Pharmacopoeia University of Arkansas Medical Sciences University of Louisville Research Foundation