Ex-Im Bank Chairman, Representative Dold, Mayor Emanuel Give Illinois Small Businesses a Competitive Edge in International Markets

CHICAGO, Oct. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Fred P. Hochberg, the chairman and president of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank), Representative Robert Dold (IL-10), and Mayor Rahm Emanuel led a free half-day forum in Chicago that gave Illinois small and mid-sized businesses tips on how to increase their export sales. The forum, organized by Ex-Im Bank and sponsored by PNC, drew more than 200 representatives of small businesses.

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Glenn Tilton, chairman of the Midwest J.P. Morgan Chase and Member of President Obama's Export Council, was a featured speaker.  Other prominent guests included Congressmen Sean Duffy (WI-7) and Bill Huizenga (MI-2) attended as well.

Attendees heard from a panel of small business owners who have successfully boosted their exports, and had the opportunity to engage in one-on-one consultations with representatives from Ex-Im Bank, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

"Exports create and save U.S. jobs, and Ex-Im Bank will continue to host forums across the country that highlight the benefits of exporting," said Chairman Hochberg. "Ninety-five percent of the world's customers are outside the United States, and companies that choose not to export are foregoing enormous sales opportunities."

"The United States Export-Import Bank is providing support for small businesses throughout my District and the country," said Congressman Dold. "This is welcoming news for those companies that are struggling to meet a payroll, expand and hire new workers.  I am a cosponsor on bipartisan legislation in Congress to reauthorize the Bank because it is vital to creating jobs here at home by providing businesses with the credit and resources they need to expand their exports."

"Chicago is a destination for the world - and our businesses, large and small, should be able to tap into the global reach our city provides," said Mayor Emanuel. "I am committed to the growth of our small businesses and their expansion into new markets around the world."

"As economies develop and grow outside of the U.S., it is essential that our companies in the Midwest, including smaller businesses, have competitive access to export markets," said Tilton.

Small business owners who missed the Global Access forum can still learn how Ex-Im Bank can enable them to generate new export sales by contacting the Bank by calling toll-free to 1-800-565-EXIM (3946). Ex-Im Bank offers information specifically designed to assist small business exporters secure export financing on its website at www.exim.gov/smallbusiness/.

Global Access is supported by a wide variety of business and financial and government  partners,  including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the  Bank's 60-plus city/state partners located throughout the U.S. This year, the Export-Import Bank has held more than 25 other Global Access forums around the country.

About Ex-Im Bank:
Ex-Im Bank is an independent federal agency that helps create and maintain U.S. jobs by filling gaps in private export financing at no cost to American taxpayers. The Bank provides a variety of financing mechanisms, including working capital guarantees, export-credit insurance and financing to help foreign buyers purchase U.S. goods and services.

Ex-Im Bank approved more than $32 billion in total authorizations in FY 2011 -- an all-time Ex-Im record. This total includes more than $6 billion directly supporting small-business export sales -- also an Ex-Im record. Ex-Im Bank's total authorizations are supporting more than $40 billion in U.S. export sales and an estimated 300,000 American jobs in communities across the country. For more information, visit www.exim.gov.

SOURCE Export-Import Bank of the United States