The Importance of International Trade

In my work as the Statewide Manager of International Trade with the RISE Center / Mississippi Small Business Development Center, I provide international trade assistance statewide to all types of entrepreneurs and small and medium size businesses.

The assistance is varied and is rarely cookie-cutter. It includes conducting export readiness assessments, global market research, import/export compliance guidance, shipping and logistics, and international trade finance and payments.

It is important to point out that more than 95% of potential customers reside outside of the borders of the United States. Improvements in technology in recent years mean that international trade in the 21st century is about much more than the cross-border trading of goods in bulk cargo conveyances, containers shipped by sea, pallets transported by air, or truck and rail shipments crossing our land borders with Canada and Mexico.

In fact, the global trade of services, e-commerce, and digital trade continue to increase and can be conducted from nearly anywhere via computers and smartphones.

As we celebrate the closing Global Entrepreneurship Week, it is important to highlight the changing nature of international trade and how we can help entrepreneurs and small businesses at any stage or size. We must take advantage of the many opportunities that await in global markets.

At the Mississippi SBDC, we serve businesses with international trade assistance through the RISE Center (Resources for International Success and Expansion). This is part of what we do to be poised for growth through exports and international trade. Learn more about the RISE Center here.