As Team South Carolina seeks to build on its expanding international footprint, trade missions will remain essential. In early December, S.C. Commerce will be leading a multi-sector mission to the United Kingdom. With only two vacant spots remaining, interested companies are encouraged to apply for participation today.
To support firms looking to participate in future trade missions – or in any of the state’s other export assistance activities – S.C. Commerce was awarded with a State Trade Expansion (STEP) grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration last week. A STEP grant recipient for the sixth time, the State of South Carolina projects that the funds will help more than 50 small and medium-sized businesses seize export opportunities this year.
Over the last five years, the state's export assistance program has generated more than $45 million in export sales, helping South Carolina companies sell products to 62 different countries around the world. This year, the grant funding will reimburse a portion of small business participation in S.C. Commerce trade missions to Canada, Colombia, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom; major trade exhibitions, such as the Farnborough Air Show, the JEC World Composites Show and the NPE Plastics Show; and, involvement in U.S. Commercial Service programs. It will also finance export training and other export-related initiatives by S.C. Commerce.
Companies interested in participating in the program should click here.