Ex-Im Bank Joins with WTCNO to Boost U.S. Exports

WASHINGTON, DC, USA – The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has joined forces with the World Trade Center New Orleans to assist local businesses to boost their export sales and add quality American jobs as part of Ex-Im Bank's City/State Program. 

The City/State Program helps ensure that Ex-Im Bank's export finance products are more accessible to small and medium-sized businesses by way of local, state, and regional economic development and business support organizations. Each City/State Program member pledges to make financing assistance and entrepreneurial services available to local businesses in order to create, promote, and expand exports from their area. Ex-Im Bank provides members with free marketing and training materials, qualified finance experts to speak at members’ local events, assistance with outreach and counseling, and access to a network of lenders, insurance brokers, and U.S. Government export resources. 

The program is expected to accelerate export business and job growth by connecting Bank products and services to a statewide network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs). 

“Ex-Im Bank has a lot to offer New Orleans businesses that wish to expand their export reach, and this program will put Ex-Im's financing benefits on display for them,” said Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. “Exporters can learn about Express Insurance and other cost-effective tools the Bank provides, and use those tools to increase global sales and local job growth.”  

“We’re very excited about this new partnership with the Ex-Im Bank after working together over the course of several months to get to this point,” Dominik Knoll, CEO, World Trade Center New Orleans said. “This partnership furthers our ability to provide Louisiana businesses with the financial resources and information they need to expand internationally. The Export-Import Bank of the United States is an invaluable financial resource that has cleared the pathway for thousands of exporting businesses throughout the United States and we look forward to being a local resource for Louisiana businesses interested in those same financial opportunities.” 

PHOTO (L-R): Paul Aucoin, Executive Director, Port of South Louisiana; Patricia Loui, Director, Export-Import Bank of the United States; Larry Boudreaux, Chief Operating Officer, World Trade Center New Orleans.