News

Chicago, IL —- 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.

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.

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 is a self-sustaining agency that receives no net appropriation from the U.S. Congress and charges interest and fees to fund its transactions.

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.