WSU-SES/Extension Economics/Exporter's Toolkit/Community & Regional Economics/Export Assistance Program
Export Assistance Program
Researchers in the IMPACT Center of the School of Economic Sciences at Washington State University are collaborating on a community development project known as the Export Assistance Program in association with the Washington Small Business Development Center, Washington State Department of Agriculture, the Community Economic Revitalization Board, and the Washington State Department of Commerce.
The Export Assistance Program’s mission is to assist new-to-export and new-to-market firms with little or no expertise in international trade. The Export Assistance Program’s ultimate goal is to create a “Culture of Exporting” across the state. The Export Assistance Program seeks to support embryonic export relationships, which can develop into long term partnerships. Because research shows that firms located near exporters have a greater likelihood of exporting to those same destinations than otherwise, by creating a culture of exporting in Washington, we hope to begin a domino effect spilling over from firm to firm within the state without direct policy assistance.
The Export Assistance Program provides:
- no-cost confidential, in-depth, and long-term one-on-one export advice
- assistance in preparing market and trade research & understanding export and exchange rate data
- assessment of the client’s export readiness
- collaboration with the client to develop a plan that ensures short and long-term exporting success
- guidance in navigating international trade forms and paperwork
- additional resources as needed.
The Export Assistance Program at the School of Economic Science specializes in assisting agricultural producers. It comprises Dr. Andrew Cassey and Dr. Yunfei (Eric) Zhao. They have research expertise and industry experience in international trade, plus many years of living and working abroad.
In additional to the School of Economic Sciences, the Export Assistance Program at the Small Business Development Center has four international trade specialists. Further, clients have access to 26 small business development centers statewide and 32 certified business advisors.
If you are considering becoming an exporter, and would like no-cost assistance, please contact Yunfei (Eric) Zhao.
Select 2011 Accomplishments:
- (Agricultural) Exporter’s Toolkit
- A Primer on Exchange Rates and Exporting
- Export Trends in Washington State fact sheets
- Identified potential exporters from Searchable Database of Food and Agriculture Suppliers
- Conferences, seminars, and webinars
Select 2012 Goals:
- Online filterable tool for identifying tariffs and nontariff barriers by product and market, digitizing The Washington State Report on Foreign Trade Barriers to Food and Agricultural Exports
- Update and maintain Searchable Database of Food and Agriculture Suppliers
- Doing Business in China (led by Yunfei Zhao)
- Report on how the Free Trade Agreements with South Korea, Panama, and Colombia affects WA
- Conferences, seminars, webinars, and trade shows; Direct assistance of potential exporters
Exporter's Toolkit
Get the Quickstart guide.
Detailed Step-by-step instructions for agriculture exporting.
Publications
Extension fact sheet (FS071E): Export Process Quickstart Guide: Step-by-step to Agricultural Exporting
Quick two-page overview of the 10 steps for agricultural exporting
Extension manual (EM041E): A Primer on Exchange Rates and Exporting
Opportunities to begin exporting or to expand export operations depend on a number of factors but one of the most important is the exchange rate. Individual business owners can do nothing to affect the exchange rate, but they can leverage their export opportunities using knowledge of exchange rate movements. This short primer, intended primarily for small business owners and owners new to exporting, will 1) describe the theoretical relationship between exchange rates and exports, 2) describe and interpret the exchange rate data, and 3) examine trends in exchange rates for the U.S. dollar going back to 1990. This combination of theory and data will reveal the reasons why exchange rates are important, and how understanding them will allow for improved international business decisions.
Extension fact sheet (FS036E): Export Trends in Washington State, Vol. 3
Accurate descriptions of export trends are needed for industry representatives, analysts, policymakers, and business owners to properly assess market conditions. This fact sheet provides data on manufactured exports from Washington State to foreign countries for several large industries (including aerospace and fruit and vegetable preserves) in a context emphasizing the relationships between exports and the overall economy. Unlike other export data sources, the data here can be used to compare 1) export changes over time, 2) export changes with overall industry shipment changes, and 3) changes to current importing countries with changes to the number of importing countries.
Webinar presentation (Mar. 23, 2011): Export Data & Trends (Slides)
Overall manufacturing exports increased in inflation-adjusted terms in 2009. This is due mainly to the rebound in exports of aerospace products and parts. Most other industries exported less in 2009 than in 2008.
Conference presentation (Oct. 5, 2011): Export Assistance Program (Slides)
Overvies of the Export Assistance Program, including contact information, 10 steps to becoming an exporter, and exchange rate and export data.
Conference presentation (Nov. 18, 2011): Washington State Export Trends (Slides) (TV: TVW)
Documents the changes in destination and industry composition of Washington's exports. Also documents the trends in exports in amount and in the number of destinations receicing Washington exports. A special emphasis is on Washington's processed agricultural exports.
Department of Commerce Quarterly Trade Bulletin (July 2011): Processed Agricultural Exports in the Global Economy
Explains the difference between processed and unprocessed agricultural products and shows Washington export data for this very important economic sector.
Data
Trends in Washington State Exports
Export Data
Agricultural Trade Barriers by Country and Product
Financing
Export-Import Bank of the United States
The Ex-Im Bank is the official export credit agency of the United States. Ex-Im Bank's mission is to assist in financing the export of U.S. goods and services to international markets.
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Export Credit Guarantee Program
The Commodity Credit Corporation of the USDA administers the Export Credit Guarantee (GSM-102) Program. This program is for commercial financing of U.S. agricultural exports.
Forms
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service: Export Questionnaire
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service: Directory of Freight Forwarders Serving Agricultural Exporters
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service provides an extensive, detailed searchable database of Agricultural Sector Freight Forwarders, including their experience in shipping agricultural products. This searchable database could assist exporters to find a freight forwarder according to Products and/or Destinations and/or Services.
Links to trade data and development organizations
SBDC
The Export Assistance Program is run through the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
Team
Yunfei (Eric) Zhao
Research Associate
509.592.3653
yunfei.zhao@email.wsu.edu
Prior to settling down in the U.S., Eric worked at CapitalBio Corporation in China, which is world-known for producing biological products. Among many export activities, Eric managed regulatory affairs for domestic and export sales, which included ISO 9001 implementation, Chinese SFDA compliance, USA FDA compliance and European Union CE certificates. Eric’s Ph.D. is in agricultural economics and his dissertation analyzed domestic and international sales of the fresh fruit market. Eric is the outreach coordinator and contact person for the Export Assistance Program.
Andrew Cassey
Assistant Professor & Extension Economist
509.335.8334
cassey@wsu.edu
Dr. Andrew Cassey is a development economist with expertise in international trade and policy at the state and regional level. His research includes work on the efficacy of export promotion programs and the factors affecting the location of exporting firms. Andrew is the lead in the Community and Regional Economics program at Washington State University. His current projects include analysis of Washington State exports, the Greater Seattle Economic Outlook Survey, and regional economic modeling. Andrew is the co-principal investigator and research lead in the Export Assistance Program.
Tom Marsh
Professor, Scientist, and Director of the IMPACT Center
509.335.8597
tl_marsh@wsu.edu
The IMPACT Center seeks to address economic, social, political, and technical problems that affect the competitiveness of Washington’s agriculture and related sectors. Being positioned in a major land grant university enables IMPACT to draw on expertise and knowledge from an array of researchers in a wide range of fields. The focus of IMPACT will be to identify new or expanded opportunities for Washington’s products; gather information about markets; provide regional economic development and impact analysis; and disseminate research and other information in outreach and engagement with stakeholders. Tom is the co-principial investigator in the Export Assistance Program.
Suzette Galinato
Research Associate
509.335.1408
sgalinato@wsu.edu
Suzette works in the IMPACT Center. Her research interests are in
environmental economics, development economics and agribusiness. She is
presently involved in research projects that examine economic issues
related to bioenergy production, agritourism, tree fruit production in
Washington and production of specialty crops under protective covers.
Suzette is the project manager of the Export Assistance Program.
Created June 7, 2011
Contact Info
Yunfei Zhao
Email: yunfei.zhao@email.wsu.edu
Office:123F Hulbert Hall
Phone: 509-592-3653
Address: PO Box 646210, Pullman WA, 99164-6210
Office Hours: by appointment
New Releases
Ag Trade Barriers by Country and Product
Manual: A Primer on Exchange Rates
Fact sheet: Agricultural Exporting Quickstart Guide
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