San Antonio (April 30, 2014) – The International Trade Center at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Institute of Economic Development announced today that it is hosting a delegation of business development professionals from Jamaica and the Caribbean to observe the operations of the Institute and SBDCs, April 28 – May 2, 2014.
SBDCs, established throughout the US 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.
The Jamaican delegates are from: Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce; Development Bank of Jamaica; Jamaica Business Development Corporation. There are also representatives from Caribbean Export, as well as the Organization of American States Department of Economic and Social Development.
During the weeklong visit the delegates will meet with directors and staff of the various centers and specialty centers with the Institute for Economic Development and South West Texas Border SBDC Network. On the agenda will be best practices and practical direction to give Jamaica the best chance to succeed in creating economic impact for their stakeholders.
This visit is part of the International Trade Center and Institute for Economic Development’s SBDCGlobal program that, with the support of the US Department of State, has been helping countries to develop US modeled SBDC networks in the Americas since 2003.
“Jamaica is in the implementation phase of the process of establishing a network of SBDCs,” said Cliff Paredes, Director of the International Trade Center. “We are hosting a delegation from the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, the Development Bank of Jamaica and the Jamaica Business Development Corporation with the goal of sharing best practices and prepare them for the next steps towards the launch of a successful program. It’s exciting to be working with a very talented delegation and we are looking forward to seeing them excel at this initiative that will generate small business growth in their country”.
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 International Trade Center, visit www.texastrade.org.
