ITC and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce form strategic alliance (en)

(Geneva/Washington, D.C) – The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) Foundation and International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, are launching a partnership to generate opportunities for revenue, mentorship and expansion for women business owners in the United States and across the globe.

By joining forces, the USHCC Foundation and ITC will develop initiatives for women business owners, leveraging their individual programs to support female entrepreneurs in becoming more competitive in a dynamic global market.

‘The USHCC Foundation is delighted to partner with ITC to empower women business leaders,’ said Chairman Nina Vaca. ‘Latina-owned business owners have a start-up rate six times the national average, making this demographic the fastest growing business segment in the United States. We are proud to continue supporting entrepreneurship among women and look forward to working closely with ITC.’

ITC Executive Director Arancha González said: ‘Women account for one-third of ownership of companies across the world, but fewer of these take part in global trade than those owned by men. Connecting women business enterprises (WBEs) with each other allow them strengthen their capacities and increase their trading networks, and grab a greater share of exports and procurement opportunities. Our partnership with the USHCC will enable more of these WBEs to join forces and trade more and better.’

Strengthened by ITC’s goal to help small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries trade and internationalize, together with the USHCC and USHCC Foundation’s mission to promote economic growth for over 4.1 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States, this collaboration will link women business enterprises (WBEs) with corporations and organizations that actively procure from WBEs.

The partnership will provide women entrepreneurs with training, technical assistance, market development, and exposure to global trade and business opportunities through ITC’s pivotal Women Vendors Exhibition and Forum (WVEF) – an annual convention that promotes networking and mentorship between successful women entrepreneurs and leaders from top multinational and regional companies – as well as through the USHCC’s powerful network of local chambers of commerce and businesses that promotes the growth of American small businesses.

This agreement between ITC and the USHCC comes on the heels of the unveiling of ITC’s Call to Action launched in September 2015, an ambitious program that will connect one million women entrepreneurs to markets by 2020.
By formulating this unique, groundbreaking agreement, the USHCC and ITC will influence, mentor and develop women-owned companies, leveling the playing field to provide equal market opportunities for women and paving the way for revenue generation through technical assistance and access to funding and key procurement bodies in the public and private sectors.

About ITC
 
ITC is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the UN Global Goals. For more information, visit www.intracen.org. Follow ITC on Twitter: @ITCnews

About the USHCC

Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of our nation's entrepreneurs. The USHCC advocates on behalf of nearly 4.1 million Hispanic-owned businesses that together contribute in excess of $661 billion to the American economy, each year. As the leading organization of its kind, the USHCC serves as an umbrella to more than 200 local chambers and business associations across the nation, and partners with more than 259 major corporations.

About the USHCC Foundation

The USHCC Foundation is the philanthropic and educational arm of the USHCC. The mission of the USHCC Foundation is to enrich experiences of current and future leaders in the world of business through life-long learning and support. The Foundation's initiatives awaken and nurture the entrepreneurial spirit, support business growth, strengthen local chambers and foster leaders. For more information, visit www.ushccfoundation.org. Follow the USHCC on Twitter: @USHCCFoundation.