One Way to Expand a Small Business Is To Export

More and more small businesses are positioning themselves to go global.

"According to small businesses, the only way a business can expand is to export," said trade consultant Al Elgendy at a recent San Bernardino Economic Development Agency workshop for entrepreneurs looking to expand globally, as quoted by the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. "It reduces the dependency on the domestic economy. When there's a downturn in the economy, the only way to expand is to go global."

Read more here.

New Rule Benefits Women-Owned Global Small Businesses

A rule, published in the Federal Register, by the United States SBA to boost opportunities for small businesses owned by women was finalized this week and expected to be fully implemented in 2011.

The program authorizes 5 percent of federal contracts to be set aside for women-owned small businesses where the anticipated contract price does not exceed $5 million in the case of manufacturing contracts and $3 million in the case of other contracts.

Under the Jobs Act provisions that went into effect recently, SBA has permanently increased 7(a) and 504 limits from $2 million to $5 million, and for manufacturers and certain energy-related projects seeking 504 loans, to $5.5 million.

At it relates to international trade:

The maximum for International Trade and Export Working Capital loans also has been increased from $2 million to $5 million.

SBA also permanently increased microloan limits from $35,000 to $50,000, raised the limit on Export Express loans, from $250,000 to $500,000, and made the program permanent.

SBA Express loan limits have been temporarily raised from $350,000 to $1 million for one year.

Read more here.

Entrepreneurial Export Enabler

Meet Paul Yap, age 37, born in Selangor and currently living in San Pablo, California as an Entrepreneur. Or, as we call him: Entrepreneurial Export Enabler

Read about what he's up to: Crutch for small businesses