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UTSA participates in the launch of the pilot Small Business Development Center program in Barbados

San Antonio, April 17, 2015 – The International Trade Center, an SBDC at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Institute of Economic Development, participated in the launch of the pilot Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program in Barbados on April 10th, 2015.

SBDCs, established throughout the US 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 not limited to, feasibility studies, business strategy, financial planning, marketing, production and professional networking. The Centers support new and existing businesses.

The project to adapt and implement the US SBDC model in Barbados started in 2012 and is being implemented in other countries in the Caribbean, including Jamaica, St. Lucia, Belize and Dominica. The Ministry of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development is leading the implementation of the SBDC program in Barbados, and will launch two pilot centers located at the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) and the Youth Business Scheme (YES).

Representing UTSA at the event was South-West Texas Border SBDC Network Director Albert Salgado.

“The SBDC model brings unique best practices to Barbados by focusing on one-on-one, long-term assistance that helps MSMEs generate economic impact through the creation of new businesses, assisting existing businesses access capital, increase sales, and exports,” said Salgado. “The results lead to job creation and significant contributions to the overall economy. Also, the SBDC model promotes a result-oriented culture that is evaluated in terms of impact generated by professionals working with MSME clients. The model leverages University and public-private sector resources developing a collaborative eco-system that grows and sustains small businesses throughout the Western Hemisphere; and promotes business and trade linkages among clients of different centers using tools such as SBDCGlobal.com.”

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. Follow them on Twitter (@TexasTrade) and like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/texastrade).

For more information on the project, visit http://www.sbdcglobal.com/index.php/us/international-sbdc.html.

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