International Business Assistance

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The international marketplace offers a world of business opportunities. The SBDCs can help your company to become a successful competitor in foreign markets by helping you to plan and implement your export strategy.

An international trade consultant will help you to identify the best foreign markets for your company's products or services and will locate trade leads specific to your products or services. Companies may also receive assistance with importing products to the US.

The SBDCs also work closely with Pennsylvania's overseas offices, where in-country experts will review your international strategy and help you fine-tune your approach. Further assistance is offered by the Center for International Regulatory Assistance (CITRA) located at the Duquesne University SBDC, which helps US companies comply with European trade regulations and CE markings.

Education

As an extension of the SBDC's consulting services, workshops are offered to help familiarize your company with international trade issues such as international insurance and cross-cultural communications. Workshops are held throughout the SBDC's 18-center network.

Before meeting with a consultant you should watch the Exporting: First Steps to Success tutorial to learn the basics of international trade.

Receiving International Business Assistance

International business assistance is offered throughout the network of SBDCs. Consultants can travel to your nearest SBDC or meet with you at the following locations:

• Duquesne University SBDC
• Gannon University SBDC
• Kutztown University SBDC
• Lehigh University SBDC
• Saint Francis University SBDC
• Saint Vincent College SBDC
• Temple University SBDC

Success Stories

Learn about some of the companies the SBDC has helped expand internationally by reading the stories below.

Helsel Lumber	The Dlubak Group	Therm Omega Tech

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Helpful Links

• GlobalEdge/MSU-CIBER (globaledge.msu.edu/ibrd/ibrd.asp) – guide with links to international business sources.
• VIBES: Virtual International Business & Economics (libweb.uncc.edu/ref-bus/vibehome.htm) – meta site of 1,600+ links.
• Export.gov (www.export.gov) – US government's export portal.
• International Trade Administration (www.trade.gov) – statistics, regulations, news and links.
• STAT-USA (www.stat-usa.gov) – National Trade Data Bank and GLOBUS: Global Business Opportunities.
• CITRA (www.citra.duq.edu) – an SBDC program that offers US companies assistance on how to comply with European trade regulations.
• TradePort (www.tradeport.org) – trade information and some STAT-USA reports for free.
• International Trade Data Network (www.itdn.net) – trade leads, statistics, and reports.
• Thomas Global Register (www.tgrnet.com) – directory of industrial suppliers worldwide.
• International Company Directories & Yellow Pages (www.globaledge.msu.edu/ibrd/busresmain.asp?ResourceCategoryID=14) – links to worldwide directories.
• Kompass (www.kompass.com) – directory of 1.7 million companies worldwide.
• Foreign Agricultural Service (www.fas.usda.gov) – information on agricultural issues worldwide.
• Trade Embargo List (www.pmdtc.org/country.htm) – lists trade restrictions by country.
• Cross Border Tax & Transactions (www.crossborder.com) – information on legal and tax developments.
• World Factbook (www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html) – a CIA publication with country information.
• International Market Research Sites (www.export.gov/mrktresearch/index.asp) – includes Country Commercial Guides and statistics.
• Strategis (strategis.ic.gc.ca) – offers a broad array of information and resources on Canadian business.
• StatCan (www.statcan.ca) – official website of Canada's statistical agency.

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