USPS has expanded its partnership with the US Commerce Department with the launch of a newinitiative aimed at boosting US exports.
The New Market Exporter Initiative (NMEI) is an extension of US president Barack Obama’sNational Export Initiative, a plan to double US exports over the next five years.
Under NMEI, USPS will identify current SME customers who export their goods and services abroadand help expand their reach to additional international markets – expanding the strategicpartnership between USPS and the Commerce Department formed in 2008.
Through its network of 32,000 post offices and partner posts in 191 countries, USPS will alertthese customers to government sources that can help them find new overseas markets.
The Commerce Department, with its network of trade specialists in 109 US cities and. embassiesand consulates in 77 countries, will serve as a resource to the companies, connecting them withpotential international buyers.
“By bringing together the global market know-how of the International Trade Administration withthe capacity of the Postal Service to move goods and merchandise worldwide, we’ve created asimplified on-ramp for businesses of all sizes to engage in global commerce,” said PostmasterGeneral, John E. Potter.
“This partnership provides American businesses with ready access to the resources andtransportation networks required to grow beyond our domestic borders.”
US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said: “We know that American businesses produce world-classgoods and services. What we can improve on is connecting those businesses to the 95% of the world’sconsumers living outside our borders. “This partnership with the Postal Service will be animportant part of the solution.”
USPS said the agreement was in line with its proposal to increase revenue and meet demand in theglobal marketplace, which was outlined in a comprehensive plan in March this year.
According to the US Commerce Department, less than 1% of America’s 30 million companies exportwith 58% of those selling to only one international market.
The NMEI’s goal is to educate US exporters, particularly small- and medium-sized companies,about the benefits of expanding their exports to additional markets, and the public and privatesector resources to assist them.
To reach its goal, the Commerce Department is engaging partners like USPS, FedEx, and UPS toprovide assistance to targeted exporting customers.
