Nearly $760 million in sales attributed to State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) since inception OLYMPIA, WA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded the Washington State Department of Commerce a tenth year of funding to help small businesses grow through exporting. The $2 million grant is part of the SBA’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP). Commerce will use the funds to continue a number of successful export assistance…
Tag Archives: International trade
Commerce now has in-country representation in 10 countries helping our state’s small businesses grow through exporting and international business partnerships The math speaks for itself. Export opportunities are a winning opportunity for Washington businesses. · Jobs: At least one in four jobs in Washington state is connected to exports. The state’s economy is more closely aligned with international trade than any other state. · Markets: More than 80% of the…
Summertime is perfect for getting out on the road to check in with the many partners who help Commerce fulfill our mission of strengthening communities. I enjoy nothing more than learning directly from individuals and organizations across the state how we are doing and how we can do better at improving the lives of the people we serve. There are too many highlights to talk about in this brief update…
1403, 2019
First impressions, crucial conversations
By Lisa Brown, Director It’s hard to believe that a month has passed since I accepted Gov. Inslee’s appointment to lead the Department of Commerce. I knew this was going to be an exciting opportunity for me to apply my experience in government, health science and economics to advance the agency’s mission of strengthening communities all over the state. If these first weeks are any indication, I’m in for a…
In recent weeks, trade policies, tariffs and retaliatory actions are in the news almost daily. Washington state’s economy is more focused on international trade than any other U.S. state – nearly 40 percent of jobs here are tied to trade. That has drawn the attention of local, national and international media seeking to understand what the Trump Administration’s policies and actions mean for American businesses and workers. The latest round…
Director Bonlender delivered these remarks on Feb. 20, 2018 at an event hosted by the Consular Association of Washington. First, I’d like to thank Petra Walker for inviting me to this event this afternoon and the Consular Association of Washington for hosting this important conversation. I also appreciate that Consul General Dondisch representing Mexico and Consul General Brandon Lee representing Canada have taken the time to be here this evening.…
United Arab Emirates one of world’s largest markets for civil and military aircraft OLYMPIA, WA – A 12-member delegation recruited and led by the Washington State Department of Commerce heads to Dubai, United Arab Emirates this weekend, for what has become one of the largest international airshows. Representatives of nine companies will exhibit at the Choose Washington display in the USA Pavilion, and Commerce is representing two additional companies, the…
More than $512 million in sales attributed to State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) since inception OLYMPIA, WA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded the Washington State Department of Commerce a sixth year of funding to help state small businesses grow through exporting. The $900,000 grant, part of the SBA’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), is the highest and maximum amount awarded from a total $18 million nationwide.…
Washington state-led delegation makes debut, seeks to tap European, global marine equipment markets featuring innovative Puget Sound companies Basta Boatlifts and Pure Watercraft. Olympia, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce kicks off the state’s first official appearance at METSTRADE, the world’s largest marine equipment trade show, tomorrow in Amsterdam. Innovative products for the recreational boating market from Bellevue-based Basta Boatlifts and Seattle-based Pure Watercraft will highlight the “Choose…
Eight companies in Washington state-led delegation join at least 10 other local firms exhibiting independently at world’s largest medical industry trade show. OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce heads to Dusseldorf, Germany next week to showcase innovative technologies from the state’s life sciences industry at MEDICA, the largest trade show in the world for the medical sector. Washington’s life science and global health sector is a vibrant…