Senator Stabenow Joins Ex-Im Bank, Detroit Regional Chamber to Open New Regional Export Office in Detroit
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, a member of the President's Export Council under both Presidents Bush and Obama, today joined Fred P. Hochberg, Chairman and President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank), and the Detroit Regional Chamber for the opening of a new Ex-Im Bank regional office in Detroit. The new office, which is located at the U.S. Export Assistance Center in downtown Detroit, will help Michigan small businesses increase their sales through exports. Senator Stabenow led the effort in the Senate last year to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank of the United States, increasing its lending authority.
The announcement took place during a Global Access Exporter Forum at the Detroit Regional Chamber Offices where more than 100 representatives from local Michigan companies attended and received advice on exporting products to foreign markets.
Senator Stabenow said: "More Michigan exports mean more Michigan jobs. Metro Detroit is already our country's fourth largest exporting region and busiest port. The opening of the new Ex-Im office here in Detroit will help even more Michigan small businesses access new markets, which will strengthen our economy and create new jobs."
Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg said: "This new office will help ensure that Detroit businesses have greater access to Ex-Im Bank products and services. Ex-Im Bank authorized more than $500 million to Michigan businesses in FY'12 and we want to do even more. In order to compete globally, American companies need to expand their reach and enter more international markets."
Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah said: "The presence of the new U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and today's announcement of the opening of the Ex-IM Bank's regional office in Detroit highlights Michigan's central role in the global marketplace. This further reinforces that our state continues to drive innovation sought after around the world."
The Export-Import Bank of the United States is an independent federal agency that helped create 255,000 jobs last year by providing private export financing at no cost to American taxpayers. The Bank provides a variety of financing mechanisms, including working capital guarantees, export-credit insurance and financing to help foreign buyers purchase U.S. goods and services. For more information, visit www.exim.gov.
