International

Today’s businesses are competing in a global market. To grow and diversify, businesses need to rethink the way they do business. Below are some resources to assist businesses in exploring the international market.
Click for information international programs
 
LOCAL
 
FOREIGN TRADE ZONE AND CARGO ASSISTANCE
The Lee County Port Authority is designated as FTZ #213. A Foreign Free Trade Zone is a specially designated area in or adjacent to a U. S. Customs port of entry that is considered outside the customs territory of the U. S. There are three categories of zones: general purpose, non-contiguous sites of a general purpose, and sub zones. No duty is ever charged on merchandise while it is in the zone, no duty is paid on goods transferred from one zone to another, and the lower duty rate between components and the finished product applies. There is no duty on rejected or defective parts, and if merchandise is re-exported after being placed in the zone, no duty is ever paid. Waste and scrap are exempt from duty, no duty is assessed on domestic content or value added, final duties are assessed on foreign contents only, and companies receive relief from local ad valorem taxes.
 
STATE
 
ENTERPRISE FLORIDA
The International Trade & Business Development office of Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) provides trade development services to Florida manufacturers, exporters of Florida-origin products and Florida-based service providers. EFI has a network of field offices throughout the state to assist you with exporting via counseling, trade missions and shows; an electronic trade leads network and numerous other resources to help get your products into the international arena.
 
FLORIDA EXPORT FINANCE ASSISTANCE
The Florida Export Finance Corporation offers information, technical and consulting assistance to Florida exporters who have been turned down by at least one potential lender. Businesses must have a specific and verified order from a foreign buyer and the loan must be made to support that order. Financial assistance is available to support pre-export working capital and/or post-export receivable financing. Programs include state-supported direct loans and guarantees, as well as, packaging services that provide access to EXIM Bank and SBA export finance and working capital guaranty programs. The maximum guarantee amount is 90% of the loan or $500,000, whichever is lowest. The maximum direct loan amount is 90% of the contract value or $50,000, whichever is the lowest. Guarantees may be used to secure standby letters of credit from financial institutions
 
FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT NETWORK
The Office of International Programs publishes a comprehensive “Trade Primer” available free online. Local SBDC’s offer Exporting Florida, an export certification program and the Business of Exporting, a three-hour seminar.
 
FEDERAL EXPORT ADVISOR
Designed as a “one-stop” internet site to provide access to international trade information for small businesses. Information from government and industry includes export market research, export law, business opportunities, research tools, financing information, federal forms, and trade shows and events.
 
EXPORT-IMPORT BANK
The Export-Import Bank of the United States is an independent government agency that helps finance the overseas sales of U. S. goods and services. In addition, the Export Credit Insurance program helps U.S. exporters develop and expand their overseas sales by protecting them against loss should a foreign buyer or other foreign debtor default for political or commercial reasons. With an EXIM Bank policy exporters can also obtain export financing more easily because, with prior approval by EXIM Bank, the proceeds of the policy can be assigned to a financial institution as collateral.
 
FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE
The Foreign Agricultural Services helps farmers sell overseas by providing trade leads, lists of foreign buyers and detailed information on agricultural exports.
 
OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) was established as a development agency of the U.S. government in 1971. OPIC helps U.S. businesses invest overseas, fosters economic development in new and emerging markets, complements the private sector in managing the risks associated with foreign direct investment, and supports U.S. foreign policy. By expanding economic development in host countries, OPIC-supported projects can encourage political stability, free market reforms and U.S. best practices. Because OPIC charges market-based fees for its products, it operates on a self-sustaining basis at no net cost to taxpayers.
 
U. S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TRADEROOTS
The Trade Toolbox is a resource to help in the trade export process. Information that is available includes trade statistics, country and market reports, best market reports, frequently asked questions and trade contacts.
 
U. S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE
The International Trade Administration, U. S. Commercial Service provides valuable assistance to help businesses export goods and services to markets worldwide. From this site businesses can access a global listing of trade events, international market research, and practical tools to help with every step of the export process.
 
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) PROGRAMS
A loan-guaranty program to provide funds for the manufacture or purchase of goods or services for export. SBA guarantees the short-term working capital loans made by participating lenders to exporters. An export loan can be for single or multiple transaction(s). If the loan is for a single transaction, the maturity should correspond to the length of the transaction cycle with a maximum maturity of 18 months. If the loan is for a revolving line of credit, the maturity is typically 12 months, with annual reissuance allowed two times, for a maximum maturity of three years. The SBA share is limited to 90% up to $1.5 million, while loan requests over this amount may be processed through the Export-Import Bank. For information contact a commercial bank of your choice.
 
SBA INTERNATIONAL TRADE LOANS
A loan-guaranty program to finance U.S. based facilities or equipment for producing goods or services for export for up to 25 years. The applicant must establish that the loan will significantly expand or develop an export market, is currently adversely affected by import competition, will upgrade equipment or facilities to improve competitive position, or must be able to provide a business plan that reasonably projects export sales sufficient to cover the loan. The loan may be used to acquire, construct, renovate, modernize, improve or expand facilities and equipment to be used in the United States to produce goods or services involved in international trade; or refinancing of existing indebtedness that is not structured with reasonable terms and conditions. There can be no working capital as part of an IT loan or as part of any refinancing. For the fixed asset and permanent working capital portion of the International Trade Loan, the Agency can guaranty up to 85% of loans of $150,000 and less, and up to 75% of loans above $150,000 and up to $1.5 million. For information contact a commercial bank of your choice.
 
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
The U.S. Department of Commerce is an experienced, leading-edge worldwide organization helping U.S. companies meet the challenges of the global economy. The department offers many services for free or at minimal costs for international trade opportunities around the world. Following are some of the international services provided.

• BuyUSA
  Promote your company online and find new international business partners. BuyUSA.com is the U.S. Commercial Service business matchmaking website, where U.S. exporters and international buyers and distributors can post trade leads, search for buyers and sellers, and be automatically matched with prospective business partners.
• Consulting and Advocacy
  Increase your export sales and enter new international markets with U.S. Commercial Service export counseling. Trade specialists in more than 100 U.S. cities and 80 countries provide in-depth export consulting and customized business solutions. The trade specialists work directly with a team of experts overseas in getting you the information and advice that you need to succeed. Get a competitive edge with U.S. Commercial Service advocacy. When unanticipated problems arise, U.S. diplomats and other officials can help your company resolve payment issues, settle disputes, win contracts and overcome regulatory hurdles. Support can include government-to-government meetings by U.S. Commercial Service officers and ambassadors with high-level foreign government officials, in addition to direct intervention with international companies.
• Flexible Market Research
  The Market Research Library provides accurate, up-to-date information that lets you target the best international markets. Comprehensive market research includes overviews on doing business in more than 120 countries and profiles of 110 industry sectors. You can also get updates on new regulations, currency fluctuations, business trends, and government-financed projects. Much of this research is available at no charge.
• International Company Profile
  Prevent costly mistakes with quick, low-cost credit checks or due-diligence reports on international companies. Before you do business with a prospective agent, distributor, or partner, the International Company Profile will give you the background information you need to evaluate the company.
• International Partners
  Find qualified international buyers, partners, or agents without traveling overseas. U.S. Commercial Service specialists will deliver detailed company information on up to five prescreened international companies that have expressed an interest in your company’s products and services.
• Trade Events and Missions
  Exhibit at U.S. Pavilions certified by the U.S. Commercial Service and increase your chances of finding new business. Certified U.S. Pavilions offer one-on-one business matching, business counseling from trade specialists, and special exhibit services designed to help U.S. exporters maximize returns from trade shows and make more international sales. Meet face-to-face with prescreened international business contacts in promising markets with the Commercial Service trade missions. Trade missions save you time and money by allowing you to maximize contact with qualified distributors, sales representatives, or partners in one to four countries. If your schedule or travel budget limits your ability to travel overseas, consider Virtual Trade Missions. An interactive two-hour videoconference lets you meet virtually.
• National Trade Data Bank (NTDB)
  A “one-stop” source of international trade data collected by federal agencies. Contains more than 190,000 trade-related documents such as Industry Sector Analysis, structured market research reports produced on location in leading overseas markets; International Market Insights (IMI), short profiles of specific foreign market conditions or opportunities prepared in overseas markets; and an Economic Bulletin Board, which has on-line trade leads, time-sensitive market information and the latest statistical releases from a variety of federal agencies.

 
INTERNATIONAL TRADE INTERNET RESOURCES
 
Florida Export Directory
Exporters have a new way to gain international market exposure through a searchable, web-based directory, free of charge. The Directory is an easy way to promote your products and services all over the globe.
 
Export.gov
Brings together resources from across the U.S. Government to assist American businesses in planning their international sales strategies and succeeding in today's global marketplace. The site offers an Export Basics primer as well as market research,trade leads from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Service, export finance information from Export-Import Bank and the Small Business Administration, and agricultural export assistance from USDA.
 
globalEDGETM
Created by the Center for International Business Education and Research at Michigan State University, offers information on global business activities. A section of Country Insights provides current information on the business climate, news, history, political structure, economic landscape, and relevant statistical data for around 200 countries. Global Resources is a directory of international business resources such as statistical data sources, trade information, regional trade agreements, and global news. There is also a report on emerging global markets.
 
NationMaster.com
Allows you to graphically compare economic and demographic statistics among nations. NationMaster is a vast compilation of data from such sources as the CIA World Factbook, United Nations, World Health Organization, World Bank, World Resources Institute, UNESCO, UNICEF and OECD.
 
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
Issues demographic and economic reports on an ongoing basis for their 30 OECD member countries, as well as occasional reports for an additional 70 non-member countries. These resources cover gross domestic product, international trade statistics, price statistics, economic projections, labor force statistics, and many more topics. The site also offers a free online version of the OECD Factbook: Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics, as well as economic and statistical glossaries. You can browse the site by topic, country or OECD department.
 
Statistical Sites on the World Wide Web
Provides links to government statistical agencies in the United States and in several dozen countries around the world.
 
U.S. International Trade Statistics
Provides a broad and comprehensive range of foreign trade statistics that are available on a monthly, annual, and historical basis. This includes information on up to 18,000 import commodity codes, 9,000 export commodity codes, 240 U.S. trading partners, 400 U.S. ports, over 50 states and territories, and 45 districts. Some of the statistics include quantities, values, shipping weights, methods of transportation (air or vessel), duties collected, unit prices, and market share.
 
For more information, contact the Fort Myers Regional Partnership at 800.493.4396