Are You Ready to Go Global? USDA-Funded Program for Export Readiness Training is Available to California Agribusinesses; A Limited Number of Qualified Companies Will Be Selected to Participate.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California food and agricultural companies are urged to consider a new program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Emerging Markets Program that provides extensive instruction and individualized guidance in selling their products in foreign markets.

Implemented by the California Centers for International Trade Development (CITD) and managed by the Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Export Readiness Training will provide selected California companies with the basics of international trade practices and the skills necessary to be successful in the global marketplace.

The program is specifically designed for minority- or women-owned businesses that grow or process food or agricultural products, which have not previously exported their products. Additionally, all products must be at least 51% U.S. origin.

The program consists of nine half-day classroom sessions taught by experienced international marketing executives and consultants, supported by periodic meetings with a trade advisor. Specific assistance will be offered in recruiting/qualifying/selecting agents and distributors, preparing export finance loan applications, and technical assistance. Each participant will complete a customized export plan and start to implement the plan culminating with an export promotion event.

Export Readiness Training is valued at over $5,000 per company, however the cost to participating companies will be only $325.00. Interested companies will need to complete an application by the July 31, 2006 deadline.

"Participating companies will be prepared to actively begin exporting, and seeing increased sales and profits, for just a small investment of time and money on their part," said Eliza Lane, Outreach and Communications Coordinator for WUSATA.

Only a limited number of qualified companies will be admitted to the program, which is scheduled to begin training in September 2006. Registration is available online at www.wusata.org/ert or by calling 888-638-7888.

For further information, call Priscilla Lopez (Southern and Northern California) at 562-938-5018 or Candy Hansen (Central and Northern California) at 888-638-7888.

About the organizations:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Emerging Markets Program provides funds for technical assistance activities that promote, enhance or expand the export of U.S. agricultural commodities to overseas emerging markets. (http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/em-markets/em-markets.html)

The Western United States Agricultural Trade Association is a non-profit organization that promotes the export of food and agricultural products from the Western region of the United States. (http://www.wusata.org)

The California Department of Food and Agriculture protects and promotes California's $31.8 billion agricultural industry. California's farmers and ranchers produce a safe, secure supply of food, fiber and shelter; marketed fairly for all Californians; and produced with responsible environmental stewardship. (http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/)

The state's 14 Centers for International Trade Development provide export-import technical assistance, one-on-one consulting, market research, opportunities to meet foreign buyers through foreign trade missions and trade shows, and on-going seminars in international trade. (http://www.citd.org/)