U.S. Small & Medium sized business engaging in trade

Small Businesses Exporting to India

09/02/2009 9:22am

Ambassador Kirk left for India last night to participate in the World Trade Organization's Ministerial Meeting. India is currently the United States' 18th largest goods trading partner with $43.4 billion in total (two ways) goods trade during 2008. Jamal Qureshi, an American exporter, knows the importance of the U.S.-India trade relationship.

With his first sale of medical equipment many years ago, Jamal Qureshi started as a small US business and now his company exports their products to over 16 countries worldwide, including the untapped market of India. As chief executive officer of JQ American in Hayward, California, Qureshi has tapped the lucrative world market as an exporter of products and services in the energy, medical, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.

Jamal worked with the Department of Commerce to meet with banks, such as the U.S. Export-Import (Exim) bank, to secure funding for a loan as well as the U.S. Commerical Service to grow his business in foreign countries.

"People around the world love our products and services," he said. "Even with embargoes, they want us.

"...we are world leaders in so many areas, but especially in setting high quality standards. My customers will pay more for the 'Made in America' label."

Jamal encourages small U.S. businesses to expand into the global market. "Get out in the world and get a feel for what people want and how they do business," he advised. "The opportunities for growth are tremendous, and the risks are very manageable, thanks to advances in logistics, banking, and market intelligence for the smaller U.S. company."