| SPECIAL ATTENTION TO SMALL AND MID-SIZE EXPORTERS can be found in the entire range of export finance services. Some examples: GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS Several firms help exporters use U.S. gov't finance and marketing programs, especially Ex-Im Bank, OPIC, and TDA, and the multilateral agencies. Houlihan International – Reston, VA, helps exporters, lenders with transactions and broader policies. Peggy Houlihan ran CEE (advocacy group), handled Bechtel Corp. biz development. Contact her: 703-713-9410, phoulihan@houlihaninternational.com. Global Services Inc. -- Westport, CT -- Puts together Ex-Im, private resources, emerging markets -- Prez Steve Sohn ran United Technologies, Bankers Trust units. 203-255-5466, info@globalservices-inc.com. American Export Finance -- Rockville, MD -- Helps banks, exporters use Ex-Im working capital program -- President Jerry Solomon was key Ex-Im mgr. -- 240-606-2992, jerry@americanexportfinance.com. CREDIT REPORTS Lenders, insurers, Ex-Im Bank require reliable info on buyers, particularly financial data, performance history, legal status, problems. Reports producers include global groups as well as independent specialists. Owens OnLine – Tampa, FL, leading independent firm -- international business, personal credit reports, background checks, due diligence. Worldwide cover. Web site: pricing, turnaround. No minimum orders. Contact: 800-745-4656, www.owens.com. Coface North America – New York, U.S. subsidiary of Paris-based global trade finance protection group (insurance, company info, ratings, collections). Has 50 million businesses database. Contact: Customer service, 800-929-8374, service@coface-usa.com. TRAINING Colleges, world trade centers, state, U.S. agencies offer export finance training. Helpful info sources: SBA, Commerce Dept. Some specialists: American Export Training Institute -- Salisbury, CT: Basic, advanced training, in payments-finance -- Group & custom workshops -- Director Chip Thomas, ex-banker, 610-563-6335, aeti@exportrisk.com. FCIB -- Columbia, MD -- Veteran trade finance assn. (1919) provides networking, info, education -- Export credit online instructor-led course has peer interaction thru Web -- 410-423-1840, fcib_info@fcibglobal.com. |
TAX BENEFITS The IC-DISC is the only remaining export benefit in the U.S. tax code, and it's for closely held, mostly smaller firms. Accountants often rely on specialists for advice. Export Assist -- San Francisco -- Veteran export tax benefit group ('92), also active in export finance management -- 800-894-8366, info@exportassist.com. Ogle Int'l Tax Advisers -- Bradenton, FL, specialty accountants, very active in IC-DISC development. Jerry Ogle ran Pepsico int'l tax. Contact: 941-361-1147. Jerry@ogleintltax.com. SOFTWARE Independent software firms offer products, services such as automated letters of credit, open account, sending docs, arranging payment. Trade Technologies Inc. -- Austin, TX: software, web-based services to prepare, send documents, arrange payment, track transactions. 512-237-9996, sales@tradetechnologies.com. Lex-Tex International -- Atlanta: credit insurance services: one supports policy compliance, another notifies pending events. Richard Boger, 404-223-2453, dboger@lex-tek.com. |