GEDA export program is paving way for international success of local businesses | Guam Business

The Guam Economic Development Authority is launching its 2025 Export Readiness Program, building on a track record of success that has helped six local companies expand into international markets since 2021.

According to a release from GEDA, the program, which includes the Guam State Trade Expansion Program, combines training workshops, webinars and personalized business counseling to equip small businesses with the tools and knowledge needed to compete globally.

The five comprehensive webinar sessions, scheduled throughout February, cover essential aspects of international trade, from assessing export readiness to developing sustainable marketing strategies. The first session, “Growing Your Business: Is Your Company Ready to Export?” on Feb. 1, will help businesses evaluate their current models and financial capacity for entering new markets.

Jennifer Calvo-Guzman, GEDA’s small business assistant manager, told The Guam Daily Post that Everything Guam, Denanche’ Guam, The Coconut Tree Company, Local Jerk Guam, Natural Being and Kingfisher’s Noni have successfully expanded their operations through the program. These businesses showcase a range of products Guam offers to international markets.

The Guam Daily Post spoke with several of these companies, including Wendy Kim, owner of Kingfisher’s Noni.

“I’ve been in the STEP program for two years, and this program has been a great support to our company, providing opportunities to showcase Kingfisher’s Noni internationally,” Kim said.

Chelsa Muna, owner of Natural Being, told The Guam Daily Post, “The STEP program is a pretty significant program. It has exposed – or exposes – small businesses and new entrepreneurs to training and opportunities that we would never be exposed to otherwise.”

She added, “Through the STEP program, we’ve had access to successful entrepreneurs who provided insight into aspects of operating a business that, you know, we hadn’t ever been exposed to yet, like shipping or understanding how that would work or the challenges of shipping to other countries.”

The Palau market has emerged as a particularly successful destination for Guam exporters. Calvo-Guzman attributes this success to strategic targeting, noting that Guam companies now have an established presence in several locations across Palau, including the airport. The program is now working to help local businesses expand into the broader Asia-Pacific region, with a special focus on the Japanese market.

For businesses like Kingfisher’s Noni, which produces skincare products from noni extract, the program has provided crucial support.

“Through this program, we connected with potential buyers, gained valuable market insight and took the first step toward global expansion,” Kim said.

She values the local support system, saying, “We’ve received the support of the government and nonprofit organizations such as (Guam Unique Merchandise and Arts), who have helped us include the Guam seal logo on our products, so people know this is a Guam local souvenir. This is a good help for us to expand our business and sell in souvenir gift shops on Guam.”

Businesses that complete the training become eligible for additional support through the International Marketing Program and Trade Promotion Program. The International Marketing Program offers financial assistance of $5,000 to eligible participants who submit an export plan through a competitive selection process. Meanwhile, GEDA’s loan program provides financing options of up to $1.2 million for qualified applicants.

To qualify for the program, businesses must meet federal requirements, including being organized and operating in the United States, meeting SBA small business size standards and having been in operation for at least one year. Additionally, companies must possess a current Guam business license and demonstrate access to sufficient resources for trade-related costs.

Looking ahead, GEDA has two export conferences planned for 2025, with the first set for March 26 and the second in the fall. GEDA aims to continue offering these export training programs annually, contingent upon receiving the State Trade Expansion Program grant through the Small Business Administration.

For more information about the Export Readiness Program or to register for the upcoming webinars, businesses can contact GEDA’s Small Business Division at 671-647-4332.

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