Global Shipping Helps Small/Medium-Sized Businesses Grow

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service is expanding its partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce to support the newly established National Export Initiative (NEI). Through its Global Business team, the Postal Service will build on its alliance partnership with the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) to encourage and support small- and medium-sized businesses interested in establishing or expanding exports of their products to markets worldwide.

“The global market for goods produced in the U.S. is open to businesses both large and small,” said John E. Potter, Postmaster General and chief executive officer for the U.S. Postal Service. “Our global shipping services open the gateway to the globe for American exports. We’re pleased to participate in the NEI to support economic growth here at home.”

At a speech before the National Press Club on Feb. 4, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced a series of new proposals for the NEI. “Today, less than 1 percent of America’s 30 million companies export — a percentage that is also significantly lower than all other developed countries,” said Locke. “And of U.S. companies that do export, 58 percent export to only one country.”

Working with the ITA, the Postal Service will expand its outreach to small- and medium-sized businesses interested in entering into new export markets through global shipping solutions.

The Postal Service is a leading provider of international delivery services, providing business mailers with the ability to expand their markets by shipping packages and sending letters, documents and advertising mail to 191 countries.