Stretch Your Export Dollar; Learn to Market Products Abroad at this Exporter's Information Session.

Business Editors

RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 6, 2004

It's no secret that participating in the global marketplace is a challenge. But hundreds of small U.S. businesses have gained exposure in international markets with the help of the USDA and the Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA).

SUSTA is a non-profit trade association providing services and programs to offset the risks of international marketing.

Each year, SUSTA cooperates with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture to educate companies with food and agricultural based products about export opportunities. Join us this year on February 12, 2004 for an Exporter's Information Session. Companies will learn how to lower export expenses, meet foreign buyers, participate in industry promotions, and discover the basics of exporting.

In order to participate in SUSTA programs, companies must:

-- Be "small" according to SBA guidelines or be a farm

cooperative

-- Document total sales exceeding $100,000

-- Have a product that is at least 50 percent U.S. agricultural

origin

-- Market a product under a brand name

-- Label the product as "Product of the USA" or "Made in the USA"

To attend our Exporter's Information Session in North Carolina, contact International Trade Specialist Charles Green of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture at 919-733-7912.

For more information on this event or other SUSTA programs, visit http://www.susta.org.

SUSTA prohibits discrimination in employment and services. Persons, who require alternate means for communication of program information or those wanting our full non-discrimination policy, should contact SUSTA.