Export Business Development

Is International Trade Appropriate for Small Businesses?

Is International Trade Appropriate for Small Businesses?

The answer is definitely yes! According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, big companies make up about 4 % of U.S. Exports. Which means that 96% of exporters are small companies. Why is international trade so important to starting small businesses? In some cases the products or services you may wish to market are not available or made in your home country. For example, think about selling cashmere sweaters. You may need to become an importer in order to compete with imported products sold by your competitors.

International trade is enormously beneficial for entrepreneurs and enables producers of goods and services to move beyond the U.S. market of 280 million people to the world market of 6.2 billion. While international trade accounted for 5% of U.S. economic growth in 1950, today it has become an integral part of business, accounting for more than 25% in 2002. For many small companies importing and exporting is becoming an essential cornerstone in achieving success, yet it requires knowledge of business disciplines far beyond the basic do’s and don’ts of operating a domestic business.