Findlay Hancock County Economic Development met with U.S. Commercial Service Director Yuki Fujiyama to learn more about how his office supports companies to enter and succeed in global markets.
Findlay Hancock County Economic Development met last month with U.S. Commercial Service Director Yuki Fujiyama to learn more about how his office can assist businesses.
His office, also known as the Toledo U.S. Export Assistance Center, is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) International Trade Administration (ITA), focusing on Toledo and Northwest Ohio, and helping companies enter and succeed in global markets. Fujiyama also serves as DOC/ITA’s trade finance expert to expand access for trade finance for U.S. exporters and their foreign buyers.
Foreign Business Partner Matchmaking
The Toledo U.S. Export Assistance Center can vet potential business partners in other countries through its International Partner Search Plus Virtual Introductions service, which provides U.S. firms with one-on-one virtual matchmaking meetings with pre-screened foreign business and government contacts. They also offer an International Company Profile service, which provides in-depth or basic background check information on a specific foreign company to help determine its suitability as a potential business partner.
International Access Grant for Exporters
Businesses can also apply for the Ohio Department of Development’s International Access Grant for Exporters (IMAGE) program funded through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s State Trade Expansion Program (IMAGE). The IMAGE program provides grant funds to qualified Ohio small businesses to engage in eligible export promotion activities. Companies can access up to $10,000 in annual grant funds on a 50 percent reimbursement basis.
