UTSA hosts visit from Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss small business
(Nov. 14, 2014) -- The International Trade Center, a small business development center in the UTSA Institute for Economic Development, recently hosted a delegation of officials from the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The export promotion arm, ProChile, had the opportunity to observe first-hand SBDC operations.
SBDCs, established throughout the United States by the federal government in partnership with 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.
ProChileAssistant DirectorIgnacio Fernández and Chief of Operations Cynthia Carrasco observed the operations of SBDCs and other IED centers. The visit was led by Robert McKinley, UTSA associate vice president for economic development, Cliff Paredes, director of the International Trade Center (ITC), and Monica Alcoz, ITC senior international business advisor.
The visitors learned how the U.S. SBDC model works through presentations on business advising services, training programs, SBDC management, client management and other topics related to running a successful SBDC. Additional presentations addressed how the federal government creates the legal and policy framework, structures, and funds, and conducts oversight of the SBDC network. Special attention was given to topics involving international trade and export.
The visit is part of the International Trade Center and Institute for Economic Development SBDCGlobal program that, with the support of the Department of State, has been helping countries to develop U.S.-modeled SBDC networks in the Americas since 2003.
"Chile is currently engaged in our SBDC Counselor and Director Certificate Training," said Paredes. "Through this visit, ProChile has been able to see a more detailed picture of the potential for SBDCs to promote national export success as well as how to tie international trade and domestic business assistance together to create a more powerful economic engine for growth."
The UTSA International Trade Center is one of the largest and most successful trade assistance organizations in Texas. It helps companies become globally competitive through technical trade advising, 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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View a photo gallery from the Chilean Ministry visit on the International Trade Center Flickr page.
Follow the UTSA International Trade Center on Twitter (@TexasTrade) and like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/texastrade).
For more information on the project, visit the SBDCGlobal website.
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