New York State SBDC International Program Takes Small Businesses to China

Contact(s):  Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150, ([email protected])

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 11, 2008) -- The State Small Business Development Center (SBDC), administered by the State University of New York (SUNY) through the University at Albany-SUNY, is leading a group of small business owners to China to explore business and trade opportunities. The education, business and trade delegation, composed of nine small business owners and university personnel, will visit several cities in Zhejiang Province to promote the products and services of New York and to help build professional relationships in Chinese markets. The delegation will visit eight cities and meet more than 100 businesses before returning June 19.

The NYS SBDC, the state's leading provider of small business management and technical services, has nurtured a network of contacts within government and business circles in China on the local, regional and national levels. The SBDC has also developed partnerships to reduce the risk associated with business and trade, while assisting new-to-export, new-to-market and business expansion into the Chinese marketplace.

"The Small Business Development Center, administered by SUNY, provides a service to small businesses interested in participating in the Pacific Rim marketplace. The SBDC's international program has been helping entrepreneurs from New York navigate the very complex Chinese market through the wide range of language, regulatory, business practices and custom considerations for more than 14 years," said State Director Jim King.

In 1994, Jinshui Zhang, SBDC's assistant director for International Business Development, led the first group of New York small business owners to China to initiate business and educational relationships. Since that time, he has accompanied or represented small businesses on more than 60 missions, and assisted hundreds of companies from Buffalo to Long Island in opening new markets in China.

"We help New York businesses get maximum exposure for their product or service in the Chinese marketplace," said Zhang. "Our assistance, coordination and translations ensure effective communication with potential business partners. Often, serious problems can be avoided by understanding the differences in business practices. New York businesses and brands tend to be highly regarded by our Chinese partners as skilled practitioners with high quality products and services that the Chinese consumers want."

About the SBDC
The SBDC, administered by State University of New York (SUNY) through the University at Albany-SUNY, has 24 regional service centers located throughout the state on SUNY, City University of New York (CUNY) and private university campuses. Since inception in 1984, the SBDC has provided small business advisement services to more than 279,000 New Yorkers. The SBDC also provides training and business research to existing business owners and entrepreneurs. SBDC clients have invested over $3.6 billion in NY, impacting 131,000 jobs. 

The SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of New York, local communities and host campuses. As a result of this leveraged support, the SBDC staff provides confidential one-on-one business advisement services at no direct cost to the citizens and entrepreneurs of New York.