State program awarded $450,000 to help local businesses export goods

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The U.S. Small Business Administration announced Tuesday that it will award $450,000 to continue the Hawaii State Trade Export Program, which helps local companies export their products.

HiSTEP operates under the mantra “Buy Hawaii, Give Aloha” and provides training, grants and tradeshow opportunities for companies looking to start exporting or increase their exports.

“With the help of this program, we’ve seen our export of Hawaii-made products increase substantially overseas,” said Luis P. Salaveria, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. “The Hawaii brand continues to be iconic. We have significantly increased Hawaii-made products, especially in Japan where we have participated in several high-profile events.”

This year, DBEDT recruited 80 local companies to fill 38 booths and a cafe section in the Hawaii Pavilion of the 2018 Tokyo International Gift Show, which is the largest international trade show in Japan.

“The value of the Hawaii brand is priceless in the global economy, and expansion of the state’s trade sector will diversify and grow our local economy,” Salaveria said. “Through events such as TIGS, Hawaii’s products are showcased around the world and have received international recognition for its quality and uniqueness.”

TIGS organizers named the Hawaii Pavilion “Best in Show.”