Houston Partners In International Trade

There are a number of other international trade resources in Houston. The U.S. Commercial Service works with a strong network of partners to support exporters and help international visitors find trading partners. Many of these partners can facilitate trade in a variety of ways.

The Export Import (ExIm) Bank is an independent federal government agency that helps finance the overseas sales of U.S. goods and services. Its mission is to create American jobs through exports. It provides guarantees of working capital loans for U.S. exporters, and it guarantees the repayment of loans or makes loans to foreign purchasers of U.S. goods and services. It also provides credit insurance that protects U.S. exporters against the risks of non-payment by foreign buyers for political or commercial reasons. It does not compete with commercial lenders, but assumes the risks they cannot accept. It must always have a reasonable assurance of repayment.

Export-Import Bank of the United States
1880 S. Dairy Ashford II Suite 585
Houston, TX 77077
Phone: 281-721-0465
Fax: 281-679-0156
Contact: Patrick D. Crilley

The Greater Houston Partnership is the primary advocate of Houston's business community and is dedicated to building economic prosperity in the Region. It has three operating divisions: Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development, and World Trade. The World Trade Division serves both importers and exporters. On the export side they maintain an excellent reference library, host foreign government and trade officials, conduct export-related programs and seminars, sponsor overseas trade missions, and publish an annual International Trade Directory. A member of the World Trade Center network, they also disseminate trade leads and coordinate arrangements for WTC members.

Greater Houston Partnership, World Trade Division
1200 Smith Street Suite 700
Houston, Texas 77002
Phone: (713) 844-3638
Fax: (713) 844-0239
Contact: Miguel SanJuan, President

Houston District Export Council members represent a cross-section of local public and private sector individuals willing to work in close concert with the Houston Export Assistance Center to better serve the needs of the export community. Appointed by the Secretary of Commerce for their leadership abilities, knowledge of international trade, interest in export development, and willingness to devote their time to council activities, members devote their time and energy to council activities and assisting local firms export their products and services.

Houston District Export Council
c/o U. S. Department of Commerce
15600 John F. Kennedy Blvd. Suite 530
Houston, Texas 77032
Phone: (281) 449-9402
Fax: (281) 449-9437
Contact: Mark C. Joye, Chairman

The Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce's mission is to develop and promote the business community in Northwest Houston. The Chamber is active with members and outreach programs through monthly committee meetings. They sponsor business luncheons and publish a monthly newsmagazine. Its international focus has been greatly enhanced through a cooperative arrangement with the Commerce Department's Houston Export Assistance Center in which the Chamber hosts an International Trade Specialist as a guest in their offices one day a week for greater outreach to the NW exporting community.

Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce
14511 Falling Creek, Suite 20
Houston, TX 77014
Phone: (281) 440-4160
Fax: (281)-440-5229
Contact: Sandy Turbeville, Executive Director

The University of Houston International Trade Center helps small and medium sized firms explore and develop business potential in world markets. They offer consulting services, training seminars, sponsor overseas trade missions, and provide a speakers bureau.

University of Houston International Trade Center
2302 Fannin Suite 300
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 752-8404
Fax: (713) 756-1515
Contact: Carlos J. Lopez, Director

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) , a federal agency, provides assistance to exporters with loan guarantees, management assistance and export legal assistance. Their Export Working Capital Program (EWCP) provides short term financing to small business for export related transactions. They also have an International Trade Loan (ITL) program that provides long-term financing to exporters. Management assistance is available through their Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). Export legal assistance is available through their Export Legal Assistance Network (ELAN).
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
8701 South Gessner Drive, Suite 1200
Houston, TX 77074
Phone: (713) 773-6523
Fax: (713) 773-6550
Contact: Najla Tanous, District Counsel/District International Trade Officer

Others
Export Assistance Centers also work closely with the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), Multilateral Development Banks including the World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), African Development Bank (ADB), the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), Global Trade and Technology Network(GTN), South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber, and other key local and national trade partners in assisting local businesses achieve their exporting objectives.