In addition to the U. S. Commercial Service, several other federal agencies offer help to American exporters or control the exporting process
Federal government agencies may seem as confusing as alphabet soup! Even so, the ones listed below can be relevant to U.S. exporters. If you are in doubt about who to contact, we recommend that you start by engaging with us!
Southern United States Trade Association
(covers Arkansas)
Created and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SUSTA is one of four “State Regional Trade Groups” which offer access to USDA programs and resources. These programs include a variety of export training and financial assistance opportunities for the agricultural sector. This organization also works closely with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA export credit guarantees)
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department that is responsible for executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, and economic development.
Address: 500 Woodlane St., Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501.225.1598
The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) provides trade finance solutions for exporters of U.S. agricultural products to developing markets. International sales into these markets can pose financing challenges, as U.S. banks may be reluctant to assume the associated credit risk.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA export loans)
The SBA works through banks in Arkansas to offer special loan programs for exporters. Basically, these are bank loans where SBA guarantees up to 90% of the loan amount, which can be used to finance direct or indirect exports. Indirect exports include things like tourism and the sale of goods to domestic customers who then export them.
Address: 2120 Riverfront Dr. Suite 250, Little Rock, AR 72202
Phone: 501.324.7379
For local SBA contacts click here.
More federal agencies you may encounter while exporting:
- Agency for International Development
- Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) (formerly BXA)
- Bureau of the Census
- Center for Disease Control
- Customs and Border Protection
- Department of State
- Department of Treasury
- Federal Communications Commission
- Federal Contract Registration (govt. contract opportunities)
- Federal Register
- International Trade Commission (Countries of Origin)
- Government Printing Office
- National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Office of Foreign Assets Control, Licensing
- Office of Trade and Economic Analysis
- Patent and Trademark Office
- Trade and Development Agency
- Trade Representative