The U.S. Small Business Administration Peter Cazamias, Associate Administrator Office of International Trade
Founded by an Act of Congress In 1953 the United States Congress unified the federal government s small business efforts into one agency. SMALL BU SIN ESS ACT [The Act of July 18, 1958] Created Rev. 14 15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.; 72 Stat. 384 et seq. As Amended Through P.L. 113 291 Enacted December 19, 2014
Supporting Small Businesses Across the United States
SBA provides education, information, technical assistance & training free-of-charge In-person, face-to-face and online advising, mentoring, and training for every stage of business growth and development. + SBA Regional & District Offices WBCs Women s Business Centers SBDCs Small Business Development Centers SCORE Counselors to America's Small Business VBOCs Veterans Business Outreach Centers USEACs Export Assistance Centers CDCs Certified Development Companies
Two flagship business loan guarantee programs help start-up businesses launch and existing business expand: 7(a) SBA provides a guarantee of select small business loans made by lender participants 504 Supports job creation and economic development through guaranteed debentures Equipment Working Capital Certain Refinancing of Debt Real Estate and Buildings Accounts Receivable and Inventory Financing Change of Ownership Leasehold Improvements
SBIC - Small Business Investment Companies: PRIVATE INVESTORS For every $1 the fund raises from investors public-private partnership Pensions, Foundations, Banks High-Net Worth Individuals U.S. GOVERNMENT pool of investment capital SMALL BUSINESSES the SBA will commit up to $2 of debt* *Subject to a cap of $150 million
SBIC - The Small Business Investment Company: A multi-billion dollar investment program to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs need for capital and traditional sources of financing. $4 billion authorization per year $23.78 billion of assets under management 299 active SBICs $13 billion of investments into more than 6,300 U.S. small businesses across multiple industries over last 5 years
SBIR The Small Business Innovation Research STTR Small Technology Transfer Research R&D funds to develop commercially viable innovations $2.2 billion annual set aside 145,000 awards granted 10 patents per day
SBA Success Stories
Office of International Trade Small Business Act July 30, 1953 Small Business Export Expansion Act of 1980: Established SBA s Office of International Trade Small Business Jobs Act of 2010: Established OIT as a separate and distinct Office of the Administration and expanded SBA s international trade programs SBA should aid and assist small businesses to increase their ability to compete in International markets Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015: Enacted the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) as a permanent program Agency seal image 14
Office of International Trade Program Fast Facts State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Trade Finance International Affairs- Trade Policy 34,000 export activities supported $1.5 billion of exports FY 2010 to FY 2016 9,250 small business exporter assisted $17.3 billion of exports Three Global SME Ministerials Global Market Access and Deregulation Foreign trade barrier service Small business inquiry point 15
Three Challenges for Small Business Exporters Lack of necessary information for exporting Lack of necessary capital for exporting Lack of necessary market access for exporting Information Capital Market Access 16
SBA Export Assistance Programs SBA provides counseling, business development, capital, and trade affairs support as part of its Export Assistance Programs for small businesses COUNSELING EXPORT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE CAPITAL GLOBAL MARKET ACCESS 17
STEP Overview Program Authorization Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (HR644) Program Purpose Provide matching-fund awards to eligible state/territory applicants to assist U.S. small businesses enter and succeed in the international marketplace Awards earned through a competitive process For export development only; focused on goods and services Program Outcomes Increase the number of U.S. small business exporters Increase the value of U.S. small business exports 18
International Trade Finance SBA offers short-and long-term guaranteed export financing to help increase small business s ability to compete in international markets SBA Export Finance Products Export Express Export Working Capital Program International Trade Loan 19
Promoting Global Entrepreneurship SBA has led three Global SME Ministerial meetings, convening Ministers and senior officials from over 25 nations to discuss best practice for supporting SMEs. Estonia Mexico El Salvador Cuba Panama Colombia Spain Morocco Italy Israel Kenya Taiwan Argentina 20
SBA Global Market Access Strategy 1. Advocate for U.S. small business interests in WTO and U.S. bilateral trade agreement negotiations: (greater transparency, streamlining customs procedures, and ensure intellectual property protection to prevent costly trade barriers) 2. Break down trade barriers through a 100% small businessdedicated inquiry point : (help small businesses articulate their trade concerns and conduct due diligence) 3. Champion transparency and regulatory reforms (e.g., deregulation) in key global and emerging markets for U.S. small business exporters: (promote open, fair, and predictable markets to enhance small business internationalization)
Thank you! Questions? Peter Cazamias, Associate Administrator Office of International Trade