Chairman Reed Meets with Gov. Hutchinson and Arkansas Businesses to Outline EXIM Solutions for Exporters
Washington, D.C. - Kimberly A. Reed, president and chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), met with business community leaders today in Rogers, Arkansas, to outline financial resources available to help small businesses compete in the international market.
Chairman Reed led the small business roundtable at the World Trade Center Arkansas. Reed, who was introduced by Melvin Torres, the center's director of Western Hemisphere trade, explained how EXIM's financing options can help Arkansas companies, both large and small, grow through the export of "Made in the USA" goods and services.
Participating in the discussion were 25 representatives of Arkansas-based businesses, local banks, government officials, and trade and economic development associations. Rogers Mayor Greg Hines also participated, along with representatives from the offices of Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) and Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR 3rd District).
Later in the day, Chairman Reed traveled to Little Rock to meet with Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson to discuss the importance of trade to the state's economy and how EXIM can help companies boost their exports. Chairman Reed and Gov. Hutchinson were joined by Larry Walther, a former member of EXIM's Board of Directors, who now serves as chief fiscal officer and director of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, and Mike Preston, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Commerce and executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
EXIM President and Chairman Kimberly A. Reed meets with Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson in Little Rock
"I am honored to have spent the day in Arkansas engaging with Gov. Hutchinson and diverse businesses on the targeted ways the Export-Import Bank of the United States can help grow Arkansas' economy and create American jobs through the export of U.S.-made products overseas," said EXIM President and Chairman Kimberly A. Reed. "The Export-Import Bank of the United States helps level the playing field for American businesses, and with a level playing field, companies in Arkansas - small and large - can compete with anyone around the globe."
Reed added, "Since FY 2014, EXIM has supported more than $225 million in exports from 30 companies across Arkansas. President Trump is fully committed to helping American small businesses succeed. We want America's small businesses to know that, as America's export credit agency, EXIM can offer products and services that can assist companies as they compete for and win deals around the world. EXIM is more critical than ever to businesses, particularly small businesses."
"I was grateful for the opportunity to visit with President Reed and to discuss how EXIM Bank is continuing to support our global commerce coming out Arkansas," said Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson.
EXIM provides a portfolio of small business solutions for U.S. businesses, including export credit insurance to minimize financial risk and improve cash flow, working capital guarantees to provide credit lines for producing goods and services, and term financing to support purchases of American capital goods and services.
The World Trade Center Arkansas seeks to grow trade and increase Arkansas exports by connecting Arkansas businesses to the world through international trade services. It is part of the University of Arkansas and serves as the trade promotion arm for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. The center is a member of EXIM's Regional Export Promotion Program.
ABOUT EXIM BANK:
EXIM is an independent federal agency that promotes and supports American jobs by providing competitive and necessary financing to support exports of U.S. goods and services. A robust EXIM can level the global playing field for U.S. exporters when they compete against foreign companies that receive support from their governments. EXIM also contributes to U.S. economic growth by helping to create and sustain hundreds of thousands of jobs in exporting businesses and their supply chains across the United States. In recent years, 90 percent of the total number of the agency's authorizations has directly supported small businesses.
For more information about EXIM, please visit www.exim.gov.