San Diego State University played host to a meeting organized by the Deputy Sector Navigator for Global Trade & Logistics (DSNGTL) for its Knowledge Community of International Business Programs in Region 10. The focus of the meeting was to discuss issues transfer students from the international business programs at community colleges face once they get to the university level and how to help them have a more successful academic experience. After a brief introduction by Mark Ballam, Managing Director of SDSU's Center for International Business Education & Research (CIBER),  DSNGTL, Victor Castillo, opened the dialogue with discussion points centered around student success and retention. 

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As part of a series of workshops geared toward getting more small business owners to look abroad as a way to grow their businesses, the San Diego District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration hosted a free workshop on the benefits of exporting and the resources available to help them successfully expand into the global marketplace. The workshop, held at the Escondido Chamber of Commerce, featured three topics for new to export businesses: Exporting 101, SBA International Trade Financing, and How the Export-Import Bank Can Help You. 

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The California Academic Senate approved Supply Chain Technology (SCT) at its Spring Plenary session as a new academic discipline for the 112 community colleges in California. A Supply Chain Technician installs, maintains, and updates equipment in automated warehouse or distribution centers such as Target, Amazon, Kohl's, Walmart, and FedEx.

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Need financing to help manufacture or purchase goods for export? Want to offer credit terms to your foreign buyers, but are concerned about payment? The SBA and EXIM Bank have several loan guarantee and direct loan programs available to that can provide working capital to support export orders or the export transaction cycle, and provide insurance on your foreign receivables. 

The CITD can help you assess your financing options and get you ready to apply. If you would like more information on these programs or would like assistance with applying, call (619) 482-6393 or request a no-cost business counseling session here.

Join the San Diego CITD at BajaMak 2015 on October 22nd in Tijuana, Mexico. The trade show and expo emphasizes the maquiladora supply industry in the Baja California border region and will feature five specialized industries exhibiting their current needs for their manufacturing plants in Mexico. These industries include: Aerospace, Automotive, Medical Products, Metal/Mechanical, and Electronics.

For more information, click here.

On August 5th, 2015, the San Diego CITD and the San Diego District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration will host a workshop for current exporters and ready to export companies. The workshop will feature information on exporting opportunities and sources of financing for exporters, as well as best practices from successful exporters.

For more information and to register, click here.

On July 10th, Mr. Yui Kei Chan, also known as "CYK", will be visiting the U.S. Commercial offices in San Diego to meet with companies interested in the Singapore market. As part of the U.S. Commercial Service congressional directive, he is responsible for assisting U.S. companies in exporting their products to Singapore.

Singapore continues to be one of the United States' largest trading partners and with a per capita of around US$55,000, Singapore is an excellent market for a diverse array of U.S. technologies, products and services. It also serves as a major distribution center and stepping stone for Southeast Asia. With a population of more than 600 million (more than that of Europe) and growing, the region is expected to become the fourth largest market globally over the next 10-15 years.

If you would like to meet with CYK on July 10th for a 30 minute meeting at the San Diego office of the U.S. Commercial Service, please contact Carrie Brooks at carrie.brooks@trade.gov or (858) 467-7034 immediately.