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SENATOR LUGAR AND EX-IM BANK SPONSOR EXPORT SEMINAR IN FT. WAYNE ON NOVEMBER 15

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Indiana businesses can learn how to tap into growing export markets at the Northeast Indiana International Trade Seminar in Fort Wayne on November 15, Senator Richard Lugar announced today.

All interested Hoosier businesses and individuals are invited to attend this free seminar, to be held Monday, November 15 from 1pm to 4pm at the Allen County Public Library at 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Free underground parking is available for all library card holders.

“I’m excited that Northeast Indiana small business owners and manufacturers learn from Ex-Im Bank and other federal agencies about the immense opportunities available from exporting,” Senator Lugar said.  “Exporting Hoosier-made products and services can boost the Indiana economy, grow small businesses and create jobs by opening previously untapped markets.  We need to give Indiana businesses every opportunity and resource to succeed in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”

Lugar learned the importance of exports when managing the family’s small manufacturing company in Indianapolis with his brother, Tom.  With help from Senator Homer Capehart, Lugar got an appointment at the Ex-Im Bank in Washington, D.C., and after meeting, began exporting cracker and biscuit machinery to new markets in Mexico, Peru, Columbia, and the Philippines. The connections made through the Ex-Im Bank interactions helped propel further success of the company, resulting in the first E-Award for excellence in exports from the U.S. Department of Commerce in central Indiana. 

Ex-Im Bank Director Diane Farrell will deliver opening remarks at the seminar, followed by a panel discussion on "Tools and Techniques for Marketing Globally." Panelists will include representatives from Ex-Im Bank, the Small Business Administration and The Department of Commerce and private companies.

"Our goal is to work with Indiana companies to meet the new export opportunities out there," said Fred P. Hochberg, chairman and president of the Ex-Im Bank. "Many companies want to take advantage of these opportunities but aren't aware of the government products and services available to them. This export seminar will introduce Fort Wayne area companies to those tools.”

The seminar is open to the public and free of charge, but registration is required.  Interested individuals may register by calling Amy Fumarolo in Senator Lugar’s office at 260-422-1505. 

Ex-Im Bank is the official export-credit agency of the United States. The independent, self-sustaining federal government agency helps to create and maintain U.S. jobs by financing the sales of U.S. exports, primarily to emerging markets throughout the world, providing loan guarantees, export-credit insurance and direct loans. More information is available on the Bank's web site at www.exim.gov, or by calling 1-800-565-3946 (1-800-565-EXIM) and selecting option 2.

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