We provide direct assistance to small businesses in the areas of export financing, including information on international methods of payment, comparisons of payment options, risk assessment and export credit insurance programs, and deal structuring. Additionally, we work closely with the Small Business Association and with the U.S. Export Import Bank on the variety of services they can provide, from providing working capital to extending credit to your foreign buyer.

U.S. EXPORT-IMPORT BANK (EXIM)

The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. supports the financing of U.S. goods and services, turning export opportunities into real transactions. They assume credit and country risks the private sector is unable or unwilling to accept. Services include export credit insurance, loan guarantees, and direct loans to your international buyer. Upper Midwest area contact: Michael Howard, Midwest Director, tel 312-353-8093, michael.howard@N0SPAM.exim.gov .

U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

The U.S. Small Business Administration - http://www.sba.gov/ - offers assistance for exporters and export financing in the following areas.

Chicago area contact: John Nevell, tel 312-353-8065, john.nevell@N0SPAM.sba.gov .

http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/internationaltrade/index.html

• The Export Working Capital Program encourages lenders to offer export working capital loans by guaranteeing repayment on 90% of loan up to $1 million. The EWCP can be used to acquire inventory, pay manufacturing costs of goods for export, purchase goods for export, pay for costs associated with service contracts with foreign buyers, and support standby letters of credit.
• The International Trade Loan Program provides financing for working capital and fixed assets.
• The Export Express finances export development activities such as trade show participation, revolving lines for export purposes, or acquiring or renovating facilities or equipment used in the U.S. to produce goods or services for export.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANKS
Though it is not easy to win any government funded tender, either in the United States or overseas, the World Bank and the other multilateral banks fund all together $25 billion annually in developing countries. Annually, these represent approximately 500+ projects and 40,000 contracts in many industry areas, including consulting contracts. Each bank has excellent websites and each bank has a Commercial Service Office whose only job is to assist your firm in doing business from the funding accomplished by their banks. In fact, it was because of the Commercial Service’s work that the World Bank introduced a "Business Opportunities" portal on its website, which can aid your firm in identifying business opportunities. You can also get a list of what companies have won previous tenders in what country. This information provides you an opportunity to subcontract on possible future contracts these companies may bid on, thus reducing your risk and costs of having to do the bidding yourselves. For more information, contact your local trade specialist or the Commercial Service Representative at each bank.

U.S. Commercial Service Contact Information at the International Development Banks

World Bank
David Fulton, Senior Commercial Officer
david.fulton@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov
Tel. 202-458-0120
Website: http://www.WorldBank.org

African Development Bank
Christel Fredrikson, Senior Commercial Advisor
Tel. 216-71-831-117
christel.fredrikson@mail.doc.gov
Website: http://www.afdb.org

Asian Development Bank
Kenneth Reidbord, Senior Commercial Officer
Tel. (011) 632-887-1345
Fax. (011) 632-887-1164
kenneth.reidbord@N0SPAM.mail.doc.go v
Website: http://www.adb.org

European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD)
Sanford Owens, Senior Commercial Officer
Tel. 44-20-7588-8490
sanford.owens@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov
Website: http://www.ebrd.com

Inter-American Development Bank
Americo Tadeu, Senior Commercial Officer
Tel. 202-623-3821
Fax. 202-623-2039
americo.tadeu@N0SPAM.iadb.org
Website: http://www.idb.org