UTSA begins inaugural training for SBDC counselors, directors in Chile Oct. 8-10

UTSA International Trade Center staff members

By Doug CohenMiller
Media and Communications Specialist, International Trade Center

(Oct. 7, 2014) -- The International Trade Center, a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Institute for Economic Development, will begin a three-module SBDC Counselor and Director Certificate Training in Santiago, Chile. The country's first UTSA training session offering for the business community will run Oct. 8-10.

SBDCs, established throughout the United States by the federal government in partnership with state governments and universities and colleges, assist entrepreneurs and business owners in establishing and growing their businesses through a free and confidential suite of advising services. Services include, but are not limited to, feasibility studies, business strategy, financial planning, marketing, production and professional networking. The centers support new and existing businesses.

The goal of the SBDC Counselor and Director Certificate Training is to transfer the SBDC model methodology and train professionals on how to manage and operate an economic impact-producing SBDC. This training is part of the International Trade Center and Institute for Economic Development International SBDC Expansion Initiative that, with the support of the Department of State, has been helping countries develop U.S.-modeled SBDC networks in the Americas since 2003.

Over the course of three live training modules, the International Trade Center will provide the certificate training to 150 professionals from public, private and academic sectors, as well as non-governmental organizations. Due to great interest, the training also will be streamed live on the Web to business development professionals throughout Chile.

Beyond the Certificate training, the International Trade Center will assist SERCOTEC (Servicio de Cooperacion Tecnica of the Chilean Ministry of Economy) to develop a manual of operations for the future Chilean SBDC network, create tools to assess economic impact and design a plan to launch in 2015 the first 33 pilot centers across Chile.

Among those attending the live training will be Luis Céspedes, minister of economy, Chile; Katia Trusic, sub-secretary, Ministry of Economy, Chile; Bernardo Troncoso general manager, SERCOTEC, Chile; Ricardo Bosnic, national assistant director, PROCHILE, Chile; and Marianne Scott, counselor for public affairs, U.S. Embassy, Santiago de Chile.

UTSA International Trade Center Director Cliff Paredes, and Senior International Business Consultant Monica Alcoz will conduct the UTSA Counselor and Director Certificate Training.

"Chile is a believer in the success of the U.S. SBDC model that we have been training countries to adapt to their local market," said Paredes. "We are confident that they will maximize the creation of economic impact for small and medium enterprises in Chile and rapidly develop their pilot network of SBDCs once they have completed the certificate coursework and follow-up."

The International Trade Center at UTSA is one of the largest and most successful trade assistance organizations in Texas. It helps companies become globally competitive through technical trade consulting, customized market research and innovative training programs. The center is a specialty SBDC program in the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network.

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Follow the UTSA International Trade Center on Twitter (@TexasTrade) and like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/texastrade).

For more information on the International Trade Center project, visit the International SBDC website.

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