WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, issued the following statement regarding today’s Committee field hearing in Manchester, New Hampshire, titled “The Role of Exports in Small Business Growth and Job Creation.”

Senator Snowe said:

“Small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have accomplished remarkable achievements in spite of costs and regulation inequities in foreign markets.  That is why I have long advocated new and practical ways to alleviate burdens presented by existing disparities to bolster the participation of small businesses in international trade.  I believe the Small Business Export Enhancement and International Trade Act (S.2862), a bill I authored which was enacted into law as part of the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act on September 27, 2010, is a positive step towards helping small businesses succeed globally by providing an increase in loan limits for Small Business Administration export financing, expanding export technical assistance, and enhancing trade promotion efforts.  I hope we can continue promoting SME endeavors on an international scale through continued bipartisan support of pro-growth measures to give small businesses in Maine and across the nation opportunities to participate in the global marketplace.”