Deputy Assistant Secretary Yamaguchi to Sign Strategic Partnership and Promote Global Export Opportunities for Veteran-owned Businesses at the National Veteran Business Matchmaking Conference in Detroit, Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Contact: Office of Public Affairs
Email: publicaffairs@trade.gov
Phone: 202-482-3809

DETROIT – On October 29, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Field Kendee Yamaguchi will lead a Building Bridges to Global Markets event and sign a Strategic Partnership with the National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) to advance the Department of Commerce’s commitment to increasing engagement with veteran-owned and other underserved businesses.

To formally launch the Strategic Partnership, Deputy Assistant Secretary Yamaguchi and Keith King, NVBDC Founder & CEO will participate in a signing ceremony at the National Veteran Business Matchmaking Conference. This partnership aims to enhance awareness of the International Trade Administration’s (ITA) services among veteran-owned and other underserved businesses through joint outreach programming, creating and disseminating online resources for exporters, and other collaborative activities to promote ITA and the NVBDC among key business audiences.

The Deputy Assistant Secretary will also lead a Building Bridges to Global Markets event during the conference, which will promote trade resources to participating businesses, including information about the essentials of exporting; identifying qualified, vetted buyers and partners; and addressing common challenges faced by diverse businesses as they look to expand their sales internationally, such as accessing trade finance and access to capital. 

Additionally, Deputy Assistant Secretary Yamaguchi will recognize the Michigan Economic Development Corporation with a Certificate of Appreciation for the support it provides to local Michigan businesses, including veteran-owned and other underserved businesses, looking to increase their sales globally.

Across all of these engagements, equity is at the core of ITA’s work – serving all businesses regardless of size and expanding opportunities to a more diverse pool of companies to ensure that all communities can reap the benefits of trade. From rural businesses to companies owned by women, minorities, veterans, and members of LGBTQI+ communities, ITA continues to conduct outreach to provide assistance to potential and current exporters across the country grow their sales through exports.

About the International Trade Administration
The International Trade Administration (ITA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce is the premier U.S. Government resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. Operating in more than 100 U.S. locations and 80 markets worldwide, ITA promotes trade and investment, assists U.S. businesses and workers to export and expand globally, and ensures fair trade and compliance by enforcing U.S. trade laws and agreements. For more information on ITA, visit www.trade.gov.