FY2013 ANNUAL REPORT

WE DELIVER RESULTS GLOBALLY.

TRADE CONSULTING | INTERNATIONAL MARKET RESEARCH | INNOVATIVE TRAINING

www.texastrade.org

ECONOMIC IMPACT
WELCOME

The professionals at the International Trade Center understand the challenges

facing new-to-export firms. The International Trade Center consultants are
experienced and ready to help with critical country-specific market research
and advice needed to enter new global markets. The greatest benefit to small
businesses looking to export is the knowledgeable team of Certified Global Business
Professionals that ensures success for clients by staying with them for the long term.
Albert Salgado,
Director of the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network

We are proud of the groundbreaking work of the International Trade Center, leading
the way for Texas companies to go global and expand their market reach. They directly
assisted clients expand export sales by $148 million and create 1,082 new jobs during
FY2013. Cliff Paredes and his team also lead the expansion of the SBDC Network
throughout much of Latin America and the Caribbean for the US State Department,
growing a valuable distribution network of trading partners.
Robert McKinley,
Associate Vice President for Economic Development UTSA

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

Financial Year (FY) 2013 can be seen as a year for moving forward. We built upon the successes of the past, and
continued to innovate and compete in our areas of expertise. Highlights for the year include:
Core services reached an all-time-high for economic impact in the region with major increases in job creation and
retention, global sales, and access to capital for our clients (pages 67);
Leveraged partnerships with regional Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and assisted over 478 clients (page 8);
Delivered industry-leading training to 683 business professionals at 28 events (page 10);
Broke records in foreign direct investment job creation and access to capital through our Texas International Business
Accelerator (TIBA) (page 14);
Advised and guided the governments of countries in Latin America, the Caribbean and North Africa in developing
national SBDC networks (pages 1617);
Continued to improve SBDCGlobal, and trained SBDC professionals from around the country in best-practices
(pages 1819).
We did not create these successes alone. Throughout our history we have enjoyed being a part of the UTSA Institute
for Economic Development and the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network. This support has given us the
freedom to create new programs and services which has allowed our center to grow into an internationally recognized
trade assistance organization that assists clients in selling all over the world while advising foreign governments on how
to do the same.
Weve been able to accomplish a lot. We see FY2014 as an opportunity to continue moving forward
and innovating in a complex and growing market.

Cliff Paredes, Director of the International Trade Center

ECONOMIC
IMPACT
WHO
WE ARE

HOW WE MADE OUR MARK IN FY2013

It all begins with our staff. We continue to focus on hiring people who share our values of Integrity, Service, Innovation
and Excellence and invest in their continued training and development. Having clarity of mission and vision as an
organization and executing a simple plan based on our strategy allows the Center to exceed the expectations of clients,
partners and funding agencies.

ABOUT THE CENTER

The International Trade Center is one of the largest and the most successful trade assistance organizations in
Texas. Established in 1992, our mission is to provide businesses with trade consulting services, market research and
innovative training programs that deliver results. The Centers initiatives include:
International Trade Center Core Services: customized consulting, market research and training for small
businesses in the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network;
The Texas International Business Accelerator: assisting foreign-based businesses to successfully establish
operations in Texas by helping them create comprehensive foreign investment plans;
SBDCGlobal: the first B2B platform for US and international Small Business Development Center (SBDC) networks
that will connect millions of small business clients. SBDCGlobal also provides training to SBDC professionals, and
advises foreign governments on how to adapt and start their own SBDC networks;
The International Trade Center is a strategic component of the UTSA Institute for Economic Development and
the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network and serves 79 counties that includes the metro areas of San Antonio,
Austin, El Paso, San Angelo, Corpus Christi, Laredo, Eagle Pass, Alpine, Victoria and the Rio Grande Valley.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

FY2013 PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Throughout FY2013 we continued to assist our clients
in growing their export sales and creating new jobs, thus
helping the Texas economy to recover and grow over the
long-term. Client-generated economic impact does not
happen overnight and is the result of our client consulting
efforts from the previous two years. While many worried
about the tough global economy, we focused our Centers
efforts on providing our clients with high-value assistance
so that they would be prepared to take advantage of
opportunities and grow their global sales. We look forward
to continuing this work in FY2014.

HOW WE PRODUCED OUR RESULTS

Customized consulting and market research provided by experienced Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP)
consultants over the long-term is the only way to help small businesses grow their global sales. Providing clients with
real-world information, helping them build the technical skills to understand the mechanics of trade, and empowering
them to act when global business opportunities arise requires many hours of assistance, patience and plenty of follow-up.
We have also been happy to share the secret of our success (including consulting, market research and training best
practices) with a number of other Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and trade assistance organizations
throughout the US and Latin America. This customized and effective approach is how we will continue to help our
clients maximize their global trade potential and profitability in FY2014.

Our consultant at the International Trade Center, Doug

Smith, has done a good job in the research of prospective clients
and market awareness and it is critical in forming our export
business plan. The information that was provided to Battery
Concepts for the Mexico market has resulted in more than 100%
growth in sales.
Sergio H. Munoz Battery Concepts International Inc.

FY
20

13

FY2013

Jobs Created

322

688

1,082

Jobs Retained

1,106

1,367

1,587

Global Sales*

$210M

$373M

$439M

New Financing

$9M

$45M

$80M

New Markets Entered

145

151

158

New Products to Market

75

148

121

FY
20

2160
11

FY2012

1620

688

322

1080

1,587
1,106

540
0

1,082

1,366

JOBS CREATED & RETAINED FY2011FY2013

13

72

20

$439M

FY

20

90

20

12
20

$373M

54

FY

285

11

380

FY

FY

20

12

475

FY

13

FY2011

FY
20

ECONOMIC IMPACT

12

2700

$210M

$80M

36
18

GLOBAL SALES BY CLIENTS FY2011FY2013

*Export and import sales generated through consulting and market expansion assistance.

$45M

FY

95

20

11

190

$9M

NEW FINANCING BY CLIENTS FY2011FY2013

Our consultant at the International

Trade Center, Alberto RodriguezBaez, was extremely knowledgeable
in all areas of international business
and I felt that he took the time to
get to know what our business
niche was so he could make the best
recommendations possible.
Barbara Pagan-Arroyo ITI
Solutions, Inc.

CONSULTING AND MARKET RESEARCH

BUILDING THE ECONOMY THROUGH

IMPORT AND EXPORT ASSISTANCE
The International Trade Center provided 478 small
business clients in Texas with 9,370 hours of consulting
and market research assistance in FY2013. This is an
increase from 465 clients with 8,045 hours of assistance
in FY2012. Our performance was impressive, and is
attributed to the quality and focus of the consulting and
market research staff.
Another accomplishment in FY2013 was the
International Trade Centers ability to attract and serve
clients from throughout the 79-county South-West
Texas Border SBDC Network. This was done by working
with partners such as the Del Mar SBDC in Corpus
Christi, the Texas State University SBDC in Austin, the
Angelo State University SBDC in San Angelo, the El
Paso SBDC and the Boerne Chamber of Commerce. The
International Trade Center looks forward to continuing
to expand its presence in the South-West Texas Border
SBDC Network and in helping more Texas companies
start and expand their global sales.
In FY2013, the International Trade Centers market
research staff provided clients with the latest global
market research and competitive intelligence that helped
them make better decisions and reduce risk. Staffed by
experienced and skilled researchers that have fluency

in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Mandarin

and are equipped with the latest market research
databases. The international market research staff assisted
consultants with critical information that helped clients
enter new foreign markets.
During FY2014, we will continue to grow the quality
and scope of our consulting and market research
services so that we can better assist clients in expanding
into new global markets. This will be accomplished by
purchasing new market research resources, investing in
high-level professional development for our consulting
staff and by better leveraging our extensive network of
international SBDC partners from across Latin America
and the Caribbean. We will all carry forward our efforts
to identify and create new Texas exporters and strive to
deliver exceptional consulting services for all our clients.

Consulting Impact by Year:

Total Consulting Hours
Total Clients Assisted

FY2011

FY2012

FY2013

7,162

8,045

9,370

426

465

478

TRAINING

INDUSTRY LEADING TRADE TRAINING

In FY2014, the International Trade Center will continue to listen to the needs of its
small business clients and provide them with the training that they demand, offered at
convenient times and always utilizing the latest technology. We will also continue to
leverage our growing network of international and US government partners to secure
the best speakers possible for our training programs.

OR

MA

Marketing Partners

GB

plus

ol

d Ke

Delivering Results Globally.

El Paso and Hill Country International Business Conferences: These events offered
regional International Trade Center clients an intimate primer on the critical how-to
of international trade topics including: current international trade environment, export
finance, and social media for global business.

IN TE

TEXASTRADE.

Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) Training: We continue to be a

national leader in providing training for the NASBITE CGBP credential. The series
consists of four modules (logistics, marketing, management, and finance) and a
review session that provides attendees with a technical trade foundation to sit for
the NASBITE CGBP exam. Our training now graduates more CGBP-credentialed
professionals than any other organization in the world. This year we teamed with the
US Commercial Service to add their Gold Key trade mission service to the training.

Texas Reshoring Conference 2013: Bringing manufacturing jobs back to the US and
Texas from abroad is a hot topic in business. Harry Moser, of the Reshoring Initiative,
came to the Center and facilitated a fantastic training event on the benefits of a
strengthened manufacturing sector.

DE

W.

Elite Sponsor:

XA

Your Global Edge: A monthly webinar series focusing on country and industry-specific
training. This groundbreaking series included topics such as No Holds Barred Guide to
International Negotiation, NAFTA20, and more.

April 17, 2013

Buena Vista Building

Room BV 1.338
UTSA Downtown Campus

The International Trade Center continued to develop new training programs that
delivered real-world expertise to small business professionals throughout the region.
By concentrating on the how-to rather than the what of trade issues, our training
provided participants with the information, skills and contacts that assisted them in
improving export operations. We partner with the US Small Business Administration
(SBA), the San Antonio and Austin US Export Assistance Centers, the State of Texas,
various Chambers of Commerce, and other organizations to leverage resources and to
get more Texas companies exporting. We delivered industry-leading training to 683
business professionals at 28 events, of which some of the most successful were:

Marketing | Logistics | Management | Finance

March 28 | April 4 | April 11 | April 18

UTSA Downtown Campus

Institute For Economic Development
Durango Building, Room # 2.322
(Second Floor Training Room)

#CGBP
www.texastrade.org

Delivering Results Globally.

CLIENT SUCCESS STORY

CONNEXA ENERGY
Connexa Energy, located in Boerne, TX, is a
manufacturer and distributor of remote and industrial
power products and accessories for original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs), integrators, distributors
and resellers across the country and around the
world. Connexa Energy specializes in remote solar
and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) backup
applications with internal design/engineering, internal
assemblies, and its own line of industrial power products.
Senior International Business Consultant Alberto
Rodriguez-Baez contacted Connexa Energy as a result
of his business development efforts in the Hill Country.
During the initial meeting, a market research project
was set up to identify potential new clients for Connexa
Energy in the Middle East. The research and consulting
projects results included the wish list of potential
new clients in the Middle East, recommendations for
international business development and marketing, as
well as suggestions regarding communication channels
for the products promotion abroad. As a result, Connexa
Energy was able to reach out into new markets in the
aforementioned region.
I have had the pleasure of working with Alberto
Rodriguez-Baez on the market research and consulting
project for our products in the Middle East. He went
above and beyond to help us before, during, and even

well after the project said Michael Postel, Connexa

Energys Owner and President.
A second consulting and research project was conducted to
identify potential distributors for a second product line.
Alberto has been a great resource to us and has proven
to be a very experienced professional in international
trade, added Mr. Postel. We are already working
with him to train our new sales manager regarding
international business development and how to penetrate
foreign markets effectively. With the market research
data Alberto and his team continue to offer, Connexa
Energy is anticipating having an established sales and
distribution location in Central America to serve the
region more effectively by the end of 2013.
To learn more about Connexa Energy, visit
www.connexaenergy.com.

[Senior International Business Consultant Alberto RodriguezBaez] went above and beyond to help us before, during, and even
well after the project.
Michael Postel Connexa Energy

10

CLIENT SUCCESS STORY

RENFRO FOODS, INC.

In 1940, George and his wife, Arthurine Renfro, cofounded George Renfro Food Company (now Renfro Foods,
Inc.) in the garage of their north Fort Worth home. In their
new venture, they distributed packaged spices and pepper
sauces throughout Fort Worth and the surrounding areas.
Today, with sons Jack and Bill, and grandchildren Doug,
Becky and James are active in the day-to-day operations.
Mrs. Renfros label and Mrs. Renfros products now include
more than 30 salsas, sauces and relishes, which are
available at supermarkets, gourmet shops, gift shops and
fruit and vegetable stands in all 50 states and now as well
in export markets.
In 2007, opportunities to expand into foreign markets
were too good to ignore. Doug Renfro, President of the
company, had the vision to further his export knowledge
in order to continue the companys fast pace growth by
participating in the customized Minority Export Training
Program (MET) offered by the International Trade Center,
sponsored by the Foreign Agricultural Services and the
Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA) in partnership
with the Texas Department of Agriculture. Through
this ten module training, Senior International Business
Consultant, Monica Alcoz, walked Mr. Renfro through
the step-by-step process of exporting, from international
market entry strategies to learning on how to avoid
misunderstandings by the right use of the International
Commercial Terms.
After years of exploratory work, traveling, and

networking, our export business has really taken off in

the past few years. Throughout this experience, its been
very comforting to know that I had the ability to fall
back on the resources and expertise of Monica and the
International Trade Center, said Doug Renfro.
Since then, Ms. Alcoz continues to provide Renfro
Foods, Inc. with on-going support in export issues such
as potential export markets, import regulations and
standards, specialty food distributors and importers
worldwide; checking up on potential leads, quoting their
products for international buyers, as well as on how to
protect themselves against nonpayment. The company
has been able to identify further export opportunities
and take advantage of the SUSTA, Market Access Program,
which reimburses companies up to 50% of international
marketing expenses. With the ongoing International Trade
Center export assistance, the company has been able to
successfully expand exports to Canada, England, Spain and
the Caribbean. The export run of success continued with
their first order to China in September of 2013.
To learn more about Renfro Foods Inc, visit
www.renfrofoods.com.

Although were excited about what weve achieved so far, we truly

believe that its just the proverbial tip of the iceberg. With friends and
associates like Monica at the International Trade Center, we feel
that the sky is the limit! Doug Renfro Renfro Foods, Inc.

11

CLIENT SUCCESS STORY

CYPRESS CREEK HARDWOODS

China imported $740 million in raw, un-cut timber from
the US in 2012. However, China is not the easiest market
for US companies seeking to supply China with US
timber. It is even more daunting for new exporters and
even more so if the novice exporters main business had
little to do with forestry products. Despite these odds,
Austin, TX based Cypress Creek Hardwoods successfully
established a customer base in China and is receiving
on-going orders from Chinese wood distributors and
fabricators.
Doug Smith, Assistant Director of the International
Trade Center, helped Cypress when they began their
process to export to China with market research and
planning before any Chinese buyers were approached.
Cypress combined trade information provided by Doug
Smith with Chinese industry information provided
by the US Hardwood Exporters Association. The
business model they discovered was to buy kiln-dried
hardwood from small, non-exporting timber mills and
to sell directly to small Chinese furniture and cabinet
manufacturers in China.
With suppliers in place, the initial visit to China proved
the target market to be wrong because small Chinese
companies did not have the capability and skills to
directly import. Cypress was quickly able to identify the
right buyers and received his first order shortly after
returning to Austin. Today, after four visits to China and
50,000 miles of driving to visit suppliers, Cypress has a
small set of regular Chinese customers. Longer term,
Mark also sees considerable potential expanding into
additional markets in Southeast Asia.

Cypress has proven adept at overcoming problems along

the way, including trade financing and logistical issues.
Success to date is the result of quickly recognizing potential
barriers and adapting to the new circumstances. Recovery
of the US housing market has made it harder to find high
quality timber at a price acceptable to Chinese customers.
However, the company has been successful in finding
medium-size suppliers interested in working with the
company long-term.
The International Trade Center has worked with Cypress
from the start by providing some initial training on
export finance and payment methods and logistics,
introducing Cypress to US Export Credit Insurance, and
providing on-going market intelligence trade data.
To learn more about Cypress Creek Hardwoods, visit
http://www.cypresscreekhardwoods.com.

12

CLIENT SUCCESS STORY

CASA 1921 LLC

Since 1996 Mexican tequila producer Corporacion
Licorera 1910 SA. has been exporting premium tequilas
to the US. In 2005 they established Casa 1921 LLC in
the US to more efficiently import and distribute their
product to new markets.
Casa 1921s first product in the US was Tequila 1921, a
100% agave tequila available in blanco, reposado and
Grand Reposado or Reserva Especial versions. The brand
quickly gained recognition as a premium tequila.
Though Tequila 1921 quickly made a name for itself,
there were setbacks in the late 1990s because of blue
agave shortage. The companys leadership used this
challenge to invent a new product they called 1921
Tequila Cream a great combination of Tequila and special
cream. The uniqueness of 1921 Tequila Cream opened a
huge potential market for the company.
To mix tequila with cream is not an easy process, said
Juan Francisco Collado, founder. It took us several
years to develop the concept, and many more to come
out with a stable product.
There is no question as to the success of 1921 Tequila and
1921 Tequila Cream, these products have been awarded
various recognitions. Some of the awards include: in
2010 the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America
2011 Annual Convention awarded two Gold and a Silver
for Tequila 1921. In 2010 The Polished Palate, Spirits of
Mexico, awarded Gold and Best of Categories. In 2009
The Polished Palate, Spirits of Mexico, awarded the Gold,
Bronze and Best of Categories. In 2002 Chicago Beverage
Tasting Institute highly Rated 1921 Tequila.

After 8 years of opening the road through the alcohol legal

and distribution systems in the US, Casa 1921 LLC recently
became the exclusive importer for other prestige Spirits
brands from Europe and Latin America.
The International Trade Center has been working
with Casa 1921 LLC since 2008. Senior International
Trade Consultant Berenice Carmona has provided Juan
Francisco Collado, and Anahi Rivera, partner, with
in-depth tequila and spirits market analysis reports.
Berenice Carmona, has opened for us new doors
and her constant advice has always been a guide for
important decisions. Juan Francisco Collado.
Today Casa 1921 LLC products are sold in 32 U.S.
states and it has reached international markets in other
countries such as Russia, China, Canada and other
European countries. Their products can also be found in
airports, cruise lines and duty-free stores.
To learn more about Casa 1921 LLC, visit
www.tequila1921.com.

Berenice Carmona, has opened for us new doors and her constant
advice has always been a guide for important decisions.
Juan Francisco Collado Casa 1921 LLC

13

TEXAS INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ACCELERATOR (TIBA)

FOSTERING FOREIGN DIRECT

INVESTMENT IN TEXAS
FY2013 saw the Texas International Business
Accelerator (TIBA) complete a very successful
second full year of operations. Since the mid-1990s
the International Trade Center has been effectively
assisting foreign entrepreneurs establish and expand
their businesses in the US. Due to a significant increase
in demand for these services and the need for quality
assistance available locally, we created TIBA.
TIBA provides in-depth technical assistance and local
market know-how so that foreign-based businesses
can structure their investment project and successfully
establish operations in Texas. This benefits the regional
economy by attracting investment, creating jobs and
promoting Texas as a global business hub.
TIBAs primary set of services is aimed at assisting
foreign businesses in structuring their investment
projects and includes:
Market feasibility studies and practical guidance on
how to successfully grow their businesses in the US;
Referrals for partner economic development
organizations, immigration attorneys, accountants,
commercial real estate agents and logistics firms
in the region;

Development of financial projections that assist in

securing project funding;
Creation of a comprehensive investment plan that will
result in a successful project in Texas.
TIBA clients in FY2013 came from Brazil, China, France,
India, Mexico, Norway, Spain and Venezuela.
In FY2014 the International Trade Center will continue
to expand and invest in the TIBA program to meet the
growing demand and to better leverage alliances with
the international SBDC network in Mexico and Central
America. The result of these efforts will be hundreds
of international SBDCs throughout Latin America
promoting the TIBA program as the best way for
businesses to establish operations in the US.
To learn more about TIBA, visit www.texastrade.org/tiba.

Consulting Impact by Year:

Foreign-Direct-Investment in Texas
New Jobs Created

FY2012

FY2013

16.7M

57M

426

769

Our TIBA consultant at the International Trade Center, Jaime

Martinez and his staff delivered on their promises, produced what we
needed, and helped us to reach our business goals.
Ignacio Portilla GE Dharma LLC

14

TIBA CLIENT SUCCESS STORY

PFLUGERVILLE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
130 COMMERCE CENTER, LLC.
In December of 2012, Floyd Akers, Executive Director of the Pflugerville
Community Development Corporation (PCDC), and Ron Reid, CFO
of 130 Commerce Center, LLC were referred to Texas International
Business Accelerator (TIBA) a program developed by the
International Trade Center to provide high-quality advising services
for foreign-direct-investment clients for assistance on the new 130
Commerce Center, a 160-acre master-planned commercial development
in Pflugerville, Texas. The planned commercial development will offer a
progressive mix of industrial, office, and retail space.
Strategically located near the new SH 130 toll highway, 130 Commerce Center, LLC has been conceived to exemplify the
principles and best practices of mixed-use development, clean energy, and sustainability. It will provide high quality, state-ofthe-art facilities and infrastructure to become a leader in the commercial real estate market in Texas.
An EB-5 Regional Center referred the team at 130 Commerce Center, LLC and PCDC to Senior International Business
Consultant Jaime A. Martinez of TIBA. The first set of projects completed in FY2013 was to assist in qualifying the
development as a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) an area with at least 150% of the national unemployment rate and
to develop their investment business plan in order to qualify for the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) EB-5
Foreign Investor Pilot Program. Both the TEA designation and the investment business plan are needed to approve the project
for the EB-5 program which requires that: 1) foreign investors commit $500,000 $1 million, or more, in a U.S. business, and
2) create 10 jobs per investor; in return investors are eligible to obtain residency after two years, and may be able to obtain
citizenship after five years with a full return on their investment. The EB-5 foreign investment funds will assist for the
construction of the 130 Commerce Center developments and other infrastructure needs.
Jaime and his team worked closely with Floyd Akers and Ron Reid to perform a study of the development area for a TEA
designation as well as the creation of an investment business plan to provide to the USCIS in support of their EB-5 application.
Once off the ground, 130 Commerce Center, LLC is expected to generate hundreds of new jobs in Pflugerville in the coming
years. With TIBAs extensive experience in the EB-5 Foreign Investor Pilot Program, they look forward to helping the City
of Pflugerville, and others, generate many new jobs and further capital investment. TIBA is planning more foreign-directinvestment projects with 130 Commerce Center, LLC and PCDC in the coming years.
To learn more about 130 Commerce Center, LLC, visit www.130commercecenter.com.

Working with Jaime Martinez from TIBA was a key reason why
we were able to put together such an extensive business plan for
our EB-5 application.
Ron Reid 130 Commerce Center, LLC

15

THE NATIONAL EXPORT INITIATIVE & THE SMALL BUSINESS NETWORK OF THE AMERICAS
UNITED STATES
PANAMA

JAMAICA

COSTA RICA

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

HONDURAS

BARBADOS

MEXICO

ST. LUCIA

BELIZE

DOMINICA

GUATEMALA
EL SALVADOR

COLOMBIA
BRAZIL
PERU
INTERNATIONAL SBDC EXPANSION COUNTRIES
COUNTRIES CURRENTLY ON SBDCGLOBAL.COM

INCREASING EXPORTS & BUILDING BUSINESSES

Increasing US exports is one of the most important ways to grow the US
economy and help put more Americans to work. In FY2013 we continued our
efforts to support President Obamas National Export Initiative (NEI), which has
the goal of doubling US exports by 2015. Our efforts are helping hundreds of Texas
small businesses learn how to compete and win in a crowded global marketplace.

16

SBDCGLOBAL OVERVIEW

Continued...
In FY2012 President Obama announced his vision for a Small
Business Network of the Americas (SBNA) which will help
countries create their own national networks of Small
Business Development Centers (SBDCs). The SBNA
would create a hemisphere-wide network of SBDC
programs that would assist millions of small businesses
in starting and growing their operations and would
serve as a massive potential market for US small
businesses.

SBDCGLOBAL
The International Trade Center has been playing
an active role in President Obamas SBNA and
NEI initiatives through our program SBDCGlobal.
Developed at the University of Texas at San Antonio
(UTSA) Institute for Economic Development and
International Trade Center , this program focuses on
three areas of activity: 1) train and advise foreign
TUNISIA
governments on developing US modeled SBDC
networks, 2) provide continued education for US SBDC professionals, and 3)
to provide an online platform for SBDC clients, in the US and internationally,
with access to one-on-one consulting services and online trade tools.

TM

Building SBDC Networks

Thanks to this training we now have a concise SBDC model to apply to our own SBDCs.
Using this model, the personal connections fostered during the sessions are providing the
backbone for the establishment of an effective and integrated network of Tunisian SBDCs.
Ikhlas Haddar Minister of Commerce and Artisans, Tunisia

17

ECONOMIC IMPACT
SBDCGLOBAL:
BUILDING SBDC NETWORKS, DEVELOPING SBDC PROFESSIONALS & CONNECTING

BUILDING SBDC NETWORKS AND NEW MARKETS GLOBALLY

Originally referred to as the International SBDC Expansion Initiative this part of SBDCGlobal was created to
advise foreign governments on how to successfully launch US modeled Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
networks. With the support of the US Department of State, the UTSA Institute for Economic Development has been
helping countries develop US-modeled SBDC networks since FY2003.
After the initial consultation that were conducted during FY2011 and FY2012 with the goal of introducing the SBDC
model, gaining stakeholders support and assessing the feasibility of its implementation for each country, UTSA
conducted the SBDC Counselor and Director Certificate Training Programs in Barbados, Colombia, Dominica,
Dominican Republic, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, St. Lucia, and Tunisia during FY2013. The Certificate Training
consists of four modules that teach participants how to operate and grow a successful economic-impact-producing SBDC.
FY2013 has been a great year in the Initiatives history with the launch of national SBDC networks in Belize, Honduras, Costa
Rica, Panama, and Guatemala. Looking forward, FY2014 is slated to be a successful year for the SBDC model expansion as
networks will continue to be launched throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America as well as Africa.
UTSA will continue helping countries grow and consolidate their SBDC networks while assisting additional countries
in starting and developing their own SBDC modeled programs. The ultimate goal is to connect all existing networks to
SBDCGlobal to promote trade among small business clients.
To learn more about building SBDC networks, visit www.SBDCGlobal.com/index.php/us/international-sbdc/overview.html.

TRAINING SBDC COUNSELORS AND DIRECTORS

Based on the successful operations of the International Trade Center, we designed a training
Are you assisting clients with
international trade needs?
program to help other SBDCs replicate our success in their location. The International Trade
Center completed two Certification Courses in FY2013 through the SBDCGlobal platform. The
first was the SBDCGlobal Director Certification Series which was designed for Directors of the
US SBDC network who are beginning to position their centers into providing international trade
activities. The series consisted of six webinars and required the completion of a center strategic
plan. For this series, the International Trade Center provided training to 89 SBDC professionals
at 67 SBDCs in 31 states. The International Trade Center also created the SBDCGlobal Trade
Consultant Certification Series which was designed for the Consultants of the US SBDC
network who are beginning to work with clients on international trade projects. The series consisted of four webinars
CONSULTANT

Are you assisting clients with

international trade needs?

Participate in the
SBDC Trade Consultant
Certification Series

Participate in the
SBDC Trade Consultant
Certification Series

Webinars begin October 2013

Webinars begin October 2013

CONSULTANT

The SBDCGlobal Trade Consultant Certification Series is a four-webinar

The SBDCGlobal Trade Consultant Certification Series is a four-webinar

certification series that will teach SBDC Business Advisors what they need to

certification series that will teach SBDC Business Advisors what they need to

know to begin providing international trade assistance to clients.

know to begin providing international trade assistance to clients.

Join SBDCGlobal and the International Trade Center San Antonio to

Join SBDCGlobal and the International Trade Center San Antonio to

obtain the information and resources needed to develop international trade

obtain the information and resources needed to develop international trade

consulting skills.

consulting skills.

For more information visit SBDCGlobal.com or call

For more information visit SBDCGlobal.com or call

210.458.2470.

Building SBDC Networks

Developing SBDC Professionals
Connecting SBDC Clients

210.458.2470.

Building SBDC Networks

Developing SBDC Professionals
Connecting SBDC Clients

18

SBDC CLIENTS
and provided real experiences on how SBDC Business Advisors can work with international clients. In total the
International Trade Center provided training to 114 SBDC professionals at 77 SBDCs in 32 states.
In addition to training regarding SBDC operations, SBDCGlobal offered on-line training focused on tools that
Business Advisors can use when working with micro and small business clients. These training courses were offered for
members of the growing international SBDC Network, and were presented in Spanish by practitioners with experience
in working directly with micro and small businesses. Through these on-line trainings the International Trade Center
was able to provide training to 444 international SBDC professionals throughout Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Mexico, and Panama.

USING TECHNOLOGY TO CONNECT INTERNATIONAL BUYERS AND SELLERS

SBDCGlobal.com is a powerful and free online trade platform designed to provide business opportunities to Small
Business Development Center (SBDC) clients in the US and other countries in the Americas where SBDC networks
have been developed. Small businesses using SBDCGlobal.com have access to online buying and selling opportunities
as well as extended one-on-one consulting services provided by their local SBDC.
FY2013 was an exciting year for SBDCGlobal.com as it continued to add more countries onto the site. SBDCGlobal.com
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to officially launch the SBDCGlobal.com trade platform in El Salvador.
The MOU was signed between UTSA, the Comisin Nacional de la Micro y Pequea Empresa de El Salvador
(CONAMYPE) and the Agencia de Promocin de Exportaciones e Inversiones de El Salvador (PROESA). It
permits all SBDCs in El Salvador who are managed by CONAMYPE and the Salvadoran export agency managed by
PROESA to join SBDCGlobal.com. A MOU was also signed between UTSA and the Belize Trade and Investment
Development Service (BELTRAIDE) to launch the SBDCGlobal.com trade platform in Belize. By signing these
MOUs, small businesses in El Salvador and Belize now have the opportunity to locate domestic and international
business opportunities in an effort to create growth.
In addition to adding new countries onto the SBDCGlobal.com platform, the site continues to provide opportunities and
training to the Mexican Association of Small Business Development Centers (AMCDPE) that is already connected to the
site. Collaboration with the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE) has also continued and in
FY2014 SBDCGlobal.com users will be able to engage in direct commerce with Brazilian small businesses.
As the SBDC model expands throughout the Americas and beyond, SBDCGlobal.com will continue to expand its reach and
provide even greater opportunities for its users. FY2014 will definitely be a year of continued growth for SBDCGlobal.com.
To learn more about the site, visit www.SBDCGlobal.com.

19

The SBDC International Trade Center was founded in 1992 and is funded by the US Small Business
Administration, the State of Texas and is part of the Institute for Economic Development at the
University of Texas at San Antonio. It serves the South-West Texas Border Small Business Development
Center (SBDC) Network and is an accredited part of the 1,100 center Americas SBDC Network.

Contact
Web: www.texastrade.org
E-mail: internationaltrade@utsa.edu
Street: 501 W. Csar E. Chvez Blvd.
San Antonio, TX 78207
Phone: 210.458.2470
Fax: 210.458.2491
Twitter: @texastrade
Facebook.com/texastrade