LSBDC at ULM Business Consultant Receives Export Certification ...

The Louisiana Small Business Development Center is pleased to announce that Virendra Chhikara (V.C.), Business Consultant for the LSBDC at University of Louisiana-Monroe has received designation as a Certified Export Counselor.

Chhikara , a native of Haryana, India,will provide specialized assistance including consulting and training to small and medium sized businesses interested in developing or expanding their export business opportunities.

?My goal is to help make it easier to do business globally,? said Chhikara. ?While exporting offers new avenues for small businesses to grow, it also increases the GDP [Gross Domestic Product], which will help generate more jobs and revenue for the domestic market.?

In 2007, Chhikara joined the LSBDC network as a graduate assistant while pursuing a Master?s of Business Administration degree at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. In 2009, he became a full-time Business Consultant for LSBDC at ULM. ?The encouragement that I received from Dr. Dunn [LSBDC at ULM Center Director], staff, and the State Office [LSBDC] has been instrumental in my development as a trade specialist.?

Chhikara has nearly 10 years of research, technology, and business development experience. Prior to joining the LSBDC, he was a research scientist for two pharmaceutical companies in India. There he was responsible for method development and validation for pharmaceutical drugs and FDA approval.

In addition to his MBA, Chhikara has a Master?s in Analytical Chemistry and a Bachelor?s in Chemistry from Jiwaji University in Gwalior (Madhdya Pradesh) India.

The Export and Trade Certification Training program, provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Commercial Service of the Department of Commerce, certifies competency in the core concepts of international trade including export marketing and sales, global logistics and supply chain, export regulations, and international trade payments.

Since the launch of the National Export Initiative, a government-wide export-promotion strategy, which aims to increase exporting opportunities for small and medium sized businesses, the LSBDC has significantly increased its international trade efforts. The network now consists of seven trained international trade business consultants of which three are certified.

Monday, April 2 at 8:00 am the LSBDC, in conjunction with Louisiana Economic Development (LED), will host a no-cost export training event, STEP Up to Exporting Summit. This accord will enhance the state?s ability to support the NEI in its endeavor to double U.S. exports over the next five years.

?Exporting creates new opportunities for small businesses looking to diversify markets and increase sales,? said LSBDC State Director Mary Lynn Wilkerson. ?Many small businesses are interested in exporting, but don?t know where to start. I urge our small businesses to come to the ULM Alumni Center Monday to meet V.C. and see if exporting is a good fit for your business ? it?s free.?

The summit will provide attendees with opportunities to learn from and network with international trade experts and local small business exporters, and ask questions they may have regarding international trade. International trade specialists from U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Export-Import Bank and Southern U.S. Trade Association, will be on hand to meet one-on-one with conference attendees. Small businesses will abe introduced to the State Trade and Export Promotions (STEP) Grant Program, which provides up to $5,000 for eligible small businesses to market their products and services overseas. Small businesses interested should visit www.lsbdc.org or call 318-342-1224 to register.

Through no-cost confidential counseling, the LSBDC can help new-to-export businesses become ?export ready.? Services are also available for experienced exporters interested in pursuing new opportunities. LSBDC International Trade assistance includes assessing export readiness, developing an export strategy, financial planning, identifying available programs and resources, and international risk management planning.

For more information, to make an appointment, or for a list of upcoming training events, visit the LSBDC website at www.lsbdc.org.

In 2011, through its partnership with Louisiana Economic Development (LED) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the LSBDC served 12,000 small businesses ? creating 1,238 new jobs, 186 new businesses, $127 million in capital, and $48 million in new sales.

About LSBDC
Established in 1983, the LSBDC is the state?s premiere provider of small business assistance and the only statewide nationally accredited program that provides business consulting to entrepreneurs at no cost. Through a network of 10 centers, the LSBDC provides high quality one-on-one consulting, training and information resources to help new and existing businesses start, grow and succeed.

For more information about LSBDC, please visit www.lsbdc.org.

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Source: http://www.lsbdc.org/resources/?p=559

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