By Emmanuel Oluebube
Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) President and Chairman Kimberly A. Reed on Labour Day, May 1, 2020 addressed more than 50 participants at a Women + Trade virtual panel, hosted by the Atlanta Mayor’s Office of International Affairs.
Chairman Reed highlighted how EXIM provides support to minority- and women-owned businesses (MWOBs) through a dedicated group of specialists that work exclusively with MWOBs. She also discussed EXIM’s temporary relief measures available to US exporters during the COVID-19 pandemic.
EXIM business development specialist, Nicole Woods also participated as a panelist.
“As the first woman chairman in EXIM’s 86-year history, one of my key priorities is helping US businesses owned and led by women bring their great ‘Made-In-The-USA’ products and services to the world,” said Chairman Reed. “It was an honor to join the Atlanta Mayor’s Office and hear from the great women business leaders about their impact on the global economy and how they are managing success in a time of COVID-19. In Fiscal Year 2019, EXIM approved US$440.6 million in support of women- and minority-owned businesses and, at times like this when commercial markets are volatile, EXIM stands ready to help.”
“Now is a time for women- and minority-owned businesses to seize the unparalleled opportunities in the global marketplace, including those businesses working in the services industry,” said Woods. “EXIM’s MWOB team appreciates each opportunity to work with groups like the Mayor’s International Affairs Office, who are dedicated to empowering women-owned exporters, and we look forward to continuing our work to help MWOBs grow internationally.”
Additional panelists included:
- Doll Avant, Founder and CEO, Aquagenuity
- Amy Barbieri, Co-Founder, Chief Revenue Officer, and Vice President of Marketing, VITAL4
- Andal Balu, Founder, Inno Concepts, Inc. and Founder, CocoaTown.com
- Annie Eaton, CEO, Futurus
- Darrel Hulsey, Small Business Development Center UGA
- Nathan Regan, Invest Atlanta
In Fiscal Year 2019, MWOB authorizations constituted nearly 18 per cent of EXIM’s total direct small business support. Over the last decade, EXIM has helped MWOBs throughout the United States, including in the state of Georgia, export to 166 countries around the world.
