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UTSA to begin Certificate Training for Future SBDC Counselors and Directors in Tegucigalpa, Honduras

San Antonio, October 03, 2014 – The International Trade Center, an SBDC at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Institute of Economic Development, announced today that it will begin a four-module Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Counselor and Director Certificate Training in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. This is the 3rd SBDC training for the Honduran SBDC network.

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 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’s International SBDC Expansion Initiative 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.

As a result of the previous two very successful rounds of Certificate Trainings that UTSA has performed in Honduras, more than 280 professionals have been trained on the US SBDC model of business development, and Honduras has set up a country-wide SBDC network that currently consists of 7 centers, which the Honduras Secretary of Economic Development (UTSA’s partner in the country) expects to grow by 3 additional centers before the end of 2014.

UTSA International Trade Center Director Cliff Paredes, and Global SBDC Instructional Coordinator Minerva Garcia will conduct UTSA’s Counselor and Director Certificate Training. The first module begins October 15-17, 2014.

“Honduras has been doing a great job translating the training and assistance that we have provided them into a successful and growing SBDC network,” said Cliff Paredes, Director of the International Trade Center. “We look forward to continuing to work with them, and to strengthening our relationships with key stakeholder groups that will further secure the future of small business development in their country and increased economic ties with the US.”

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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