Export-Import Bank of the U.S. Chair Lewis Touts EXIM Efforts to Support Underserved Communities at Key Conference in Atlanta

Signed Memorandum of Understanding with National Minority Supplier Development Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 25, 2024

Atlanta, GA - Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis traveled to Atlanta this week to attend the National Minority Supplier Development Council's (NMSDC) Annual Conference & Exchange to advance the work EXIM is doing to support business development in historically underserved communities.

"EXIM has been a fierce advocate of expanding outreach and access to resources throughout communities that have often been forgotten," said Chair Lewis. "In my time as Chair, we have reaffirmed those efforts, working closely with our Minority- and Women-Owned Business division to ensure we are making EXIM's financing capabilities widely available to all businesses interested in expanding in exports."

Chair Lewis kicked off her trip speaking on a panel called, "Investing in America: Leveraging Federal Resources to Shape America's Economic Future," which was moderated by Stephen K. Benjamin, Senior Advisor to the President and Director of Public Engagement. Participating alongside Don Graves, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Dilawar Syed, Deputy Administrator at the U.S. Small Business Administration, Chair Lewis highlighted EXIM's efforts to advocate for and develop financing resources that will enable and empower overlooked communities to enhance their exporting capacities. The panel underscored the commitment of Vice President Kamala Harris' nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour, which focuses on the advancement of economic opportunities and job creation in historically underserved communities. Chair Lewis also announced the launch of a new resource, EXIM's state guides, which further showcase the breadth of EXIM's financing toolkit and highlight the benefits of exporting to state and local economies.

Following her panel appearance, Chair Lewis was a featured speaker at a fireside chat with Deputy Secretary Graves and Deputy Administrator Syed with area business owners. Throughout the engagement, Chair Lewis reaffirmed EXIM's commitment to the expansion of outreach and access to resources. EXIM staff from the Bank's Minority- and Women-Owned Business Division were at the event to provide more information about the specific tools EXIM has to offer, including the recently launched Equity Express Select tool created specifically for the underserved business community.

On Wednesday, Chair Lewis signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NMSDC. The MOU will promote the growth and global competitiveness of minority-owned businesses with the support of EXIM's Minority- and Women-Owned Business division. The partnership aims to enhance global opportunities for minority businesses by expanding access to EXIM financing programs, fostering economic collaboration, facilitating U.S. exports and supporting American jobs.

ABOUT EXIM:

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is the nation's official export credit agency with the mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating U.S. exports. To advance American competitiveness and assist U.S. businesses as they compete for global sales, EXIM offers financing including export credit insurance, working capital guarantees, loan guarantees, and direct loans. As an independent federal agency, EXIM contributes to U.S. economic growth by supporting tens of thousands of jobs in exporting businesses and their supply chains across the United States. Learn more at www.exim.gov.

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