International Trade Services

MEDC International Trade Programs

The international trade program supports Michigan businesses that want to start or expand export activities with initiatives to:

Increase awareness of export opportunities and resources
Strengthen the knowledge and skills required for success in international markets
Introduce Michigan companies to promising export markets
Deliver on-the-ground support in key Michigan export markets
Arrange financial assistance for qualified export development activities

Regionally based international trade managers work with companies to identify their export development objectives and recommend appropriate export programs and resources. These resources include small business support services, International Trade Center assistance, and events such as educational opportunities, cultural programs, and international trade shows and missions.

State Trade Expansion Program

MI-STEP is a grant program, funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), providing direct reimbursement to eligible small business concerns to develop or expand export-related activities. The MI-STEP program is designed to spur job creation by empowering Michigan eligible small business concerns to export their products. The program has three primary objectives:

Increase the dollar value of Michigan exports
Expand the number of Michigan companies that export
Introduce current exporters to new foreign markets and buyers

STEP was launched in 2011 by the SBA as part of the president’s National Export Initiative with a goal to double U.S. exports and give America a stronger competitive edge.

International Trade Centers

MEDC has six International Trade Centers through a partnership with the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers. These centers provide services to companies interested in expanding their export sales to the Arab Gulf, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe and Mexico.

Learn more about the services offered

International Trade Program Service Provider Summary

Federal Partners

U.S. Department of Commerce export centers: export.gov
U.S. Small Business Administration: sba.gov
Export-Import Bank of the United States: exim.gov

State Partners

East Michigan District Export Council: eastmichigandec.org
West Michigan District Export Council: exportwestmichigan.com
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development: michigan.gov/mdard
Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center: mmtc.org

Regional Export Network (REN)

Automation Alley: automationalley.com
Michigan State University International Business Center: global.broad.msu.edu
Networks Northwest: networksnorthwest.org
Van Andel Global Trade Center: gvsu.edu/vagtc

Small Business Service Providers

Foster Swift: fosterswift.com
IBT Online: ibt.onl
Michigan Small Business Development Center: sbdcmichigan.org
Michigan State University International Business Center/CIBER: global.broad.msu.edu/ibc

International Trade Events

2018-2019 Events List

Michigan Trade Events

Success Stories

Challenger Communications, LLC

Export Resources

Legal Essentials Training Videos: