Guam State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)

The Guam Trade Expansion Program (Guam STEP), funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, is intended to assist eligible small businesses enter and succeed in the international marketplace. The program’s objectives are to increase the number of small businesses that are exporting, and to increase the value of exports for those small businesses that are currently exporting. Download Guam STEP Background for additional information.

Guam STEP provides eligible small businesses with comprehensive export training, financial assistance for new to export and/or market expansion activities, and access to international markets. Guam STEP has several components:

  1. Export Readiness Program (ERP)
    The Export Readiness Program (ERP) is a training and counseling program to assist eligible small businesses begin or expand their export market development and sales.
  2. International Marketing Program (IMP)
    The International Marketing Program (IMP) provides up to $5,000 in financial assistance for six (6) eligible businesses that have completed the Export Readiness Program.
  3. Trade Promotion Program (TPP)
    The Trade Promotion Program (TPP) provides opportunities for eligible businesses that have completed the Export Readiness Program to be selected through a competitive process for their participation in GEDA-hosted trade shows and missions.
  4. Export Conference
    GEDA plans to host a export conference in 2024 to connect local small businesses with export assistance/education and potential export activities.
 

If you would like to inquire more information about the program or are interested in participating, please call GEDA at 671-647-4332 or email step@investguam.com.

Eligibility

Businesses must meet the following requirements to be eligible for Guam STEP:

  • Meet the federal requirements for an Eligible Small Businesses Concern:
    • Organized or incorporated and operating in the United States.
    • Meets SBA small business size standards established under Section 4 of the Small Business Act; or the alternate size standard applicable to the program under section 7(a) of the Small Business Act and the loan program under title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.
    • Has been in business for not less than one year.
    • Has access to sufficient resources to bear the costs associated with trade.
  • Have a current Guam Business License
  • Certify that your company is not barred from receiving federal funds.
  • Must be an export-ready U.S. company seeking to export goods or services of U.S. origin or that has at least 51% U.S. content.

Benefits

  • Access to export training workshops
  • Access to financial assistance and incentives to implement export strategies
  • Eligible to participate in international trade shows and foreign trade missions
  • New to export and/or market expansion opportunities
  • Boosted revenue

FAQs

The program’s objectives are to increase the number of small businesses that are exporting, and to increase the value of exports for those small businesses that are currently exporting.

Guam STEP provides eligible small businesses with comprehensive export training, financial assistance for new to export and/or market expansion activities, and access to international markets.

Businesses must meet the following requirements to participate in Guam STEP:

  • Meet the federal requirements of an Eligible Small Business Concern
  • Registered to do business in Guam
  • Certify that your company is not barred from receiving federal funds
  • Must be an export-ready U.S. company seeking to export goods or services of U.S. origin or that has at least 51% U.S. content

Section 503 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 defines the term ‘eligible small business concern,’ as a business concern that:

  1. Is organized or incorporated in the United States;
  2. Is operating in the United States;
  3. Meets
    • The applicable industry-based small business size standard established under section 3 of the Small Business Act; or
    • The alternate size standard applicable to the program under section 7(a) of the Small Business Act and the loan programs under title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 695 et seq.);

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards are found at 13 C.F.R. Part 121. Use the following sba.gov link for information on size standards for your business (https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-guide/size-standards).

  1. Has been in business for not less than 1 year, as of the date on which assistance using a grant under this subsection commences; and
  2. Has access to sufficient resources to bear the costs associated with trade, including the costs of packing, shipping, freight forwarding, and customs brokers.

The Guam Economic Development Authority provides Guam STEP participants with a series of export-related trainings that include but are not limited to the following:

  • Introduction to Exporting
  • Digital Marketing and E-Commerce for Exports
  • Legal and Regulatory Compliance for Exports
  • Logistics for Exporting
  • Financing Options for Exporting
  • Trade Show and Trade Mission Preparation

Benefits to Guam STEP participants include:

  • Access to export training workshops
  • Access to financial assistance and incentives to implement export strategies
  • Eligible to participate in international trade shows and foreign trade missions
  • New to export and/or market expansion opportunities
  • Boosted revenue

Trainings will be provided at no cost to all Guam STEP participants. 

STEP participants taking part in any trade show or trade mission may be required to cover some costs.

If you are unsure of your company’s readiness for export, take the Exporter Assessments provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. Assessments for New ExportersExpanding Exporters, and Experienced Exporters will assist you in identifying your company’s next steps to export.

As part of the Guam STEP program, GEDA has partnered with the Guam Small Business Development Center to provide one-on-one business counseling and export plan development. Further, participating businesses will have access to additional training and business support through other export specialists, including the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Commercial Services, Western United States Agricultural Trade Association, the Hawaii Pacific Export Council, and the Guam Unique Merchandise and Art.

The Guam State Trade Expansion Program is funded in part through a Grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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