Rep. Judy Chu Works to Connect Small Businesses to Foreign Markets

Ontario, CA – Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) joined with Reps. Gloria Negrete McLeod (CA-35) and Mark Takano (CA-41), and the Export-Import Bank to host the Small Business Global Access Forum. The purpose of the event was to provide resources to Southern California businesses to enter overseas markets. As Ranking Member of the Small Business Committee's Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access Subcommittee, Rep. Chu released the following statement:

“Foreign markets can serve as an important tool to boost sales for small businesses, especially as our economy is recovering. But businesses cannot just open new markets overnight. Workshops like this – and support from the Export-Import Bank – can help California’s business owners acquire the tools and resources they need to understand challenges like export regulations and tap into new markets," said Rep. Chu. "Tapping into these markets and shipping American-made products overseas create more jobs, especially good manufacturing jobs, here at home."

Since 2007, the Export-Import bank has supported over $766 million in exports in the 28th District and more than $21 billion across California. The Bank helps finance the export of goods and services to international market by guaranteeing purchases made by foreign buyers of American products. Almost 80 percent of exporters using the bank last year were small businesses, which helped sustain 205,000 American jobs.