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Sen. Chris Coons opens small business seminar on emerging foreign markets hosted by WTC Delaware

Senator Chris Coons will welcome Delaware business owners to “OPIC: A Seminar for Small Businesses Entering Emerging Markets,” a free half-day seminar presented by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the U.S. Government’s development finance institution, on May 18 at The Westin Wilmington on the Wilmington Riverfront.

The seminar is designed to introduce small- and medium-sized businesses to the OPIC finance and political risk insurance tools available to support them. OPIC helps American businesses gain footholds in new markets, catalyzes new revenues and contributes to jobs and growth opportunities both at home and abroad. It fulfills its mission by providing businesses with financing, political risk insurance, advocacy and by partnering with private equity investment fund managers.

“Even though 95% of the world’s consumers live outside of the United States, only 1% of American small businesses are currently exporting overseas,” said Carla Stone, executive director of World Trade Center Delaware. “A key reason is the fear of operating in another country where they do not have connections or local knowledge to reduce risk.”

“OPIC services reduce the financial and political risks of exporting to emerging markets. The World Trade Center Delaware can help guide companies through the export process, reducing the business risk of international trade and helping them to achieve their goals.”

OPIC and WTC Delaware work with businesses to stimulate economic development both abroad and at home. Small businesses that export their products or services to foreign markets outperform small businesses that don’t. They have increased sales and employ more workers. In addition, they tend to have higher productivity rates and more highly paid workers.

“OPIC: A Seminar for Small Businesses Entering Emerging Markets” will take place from 8-noon on Friday, May 18 at the Westin Wilmington, 818 Shipyard Drive, Wilmington. The event is free.

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is a self-sustaining US Government agency that helps American businesses invest in emerging markets. Established in 1971, OPIC provides businesses with the tools to manage the risks associated with foreign direct investment, fosters economic development in emerging market countries, and advances US foreign policy and national security priorities.

The World Trade Center Delaware is a private-sector, nonprofit organization helping Delaware companies to succeed in the international marketplace. With a primary focus on export promotion, the WTC Delaware develops programs to assist businesses and organizations including educational and networking events, market research, and consulting. WTC Delaware is the Associate Office for the U.S. Department of Commerce in Delaware, EXIM Bank's Delaware representative (REPP), and a U.S. Trade and Development Agency Making Global Local Partner.