(SBDC) — The CNMI Small Business Development Center Network at Northern Marianas College proudly supported the CNMI Department of Commerce in delivering the sold-out workshop “What to Expect When You’re Exporting” on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan. The Department of Commerce fully sponsored and facilitated the event, reaffirming its commitment to building capacity among CNMI-based small businesses seeking to enter the global market and federal supply chain.
Held as part of the broader 2025 CNMI Industry Day, this in-depth training provided 25 licensed business owners and entrepreneurs with foundational knowledge and actionable strategies for exporting products and services. Participants explored topics ranging from export documentation and international logistics to the nuances of federal contracting and how to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier and CAGE Code.
The Department of Commerce’s investment brought in keynote speaker Chuck Lopez, MBA, director of Southeast Asia at Global Risk Mitigation. With over 18 years of experience in international business development across Southeast Asia, Lopez offered insights tailored to the realities of small island-based businesses. He also provided one-on-one business consultations, helping participants evaluate their export readiness and procurement potential.
“The CNMI Department of Commerce has taken a proactive approach to ensuring our local businesses are equipped for growth beyond our shores,” said Nadine Deleon Guerrero, CNMI SBDC network director. “Their sponsorship and leadership in this training demonstrate a clear vision: that exporting and federal contracting are not only attainable, but necessary pathways for long-term economic resilience.”
This training is directly aligned with the Department of Commerce’s signature program, the CNMI State Trade Expansion Program or STEP. Partially funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration, STEP aims to support eligible CNMI small businesses that are new to exporting or looking to expand into new markets. The program covers various activities, such as foreign trade missions, trade shows, export training workshops, the design of marketing materials, website fees, and Commerce subscription services.
Through its collaboration with Commerce, the CNMI SBDC remains committed to supporting businesses through continued consulting, training, and resource referrals that align with federal and international standards.
For more information on SBDC programs or to access small business support services, visit www.cnmisbdc.com/. For more information about the CNMI STEP program contact the CNMI Department of Commerce at (670) 664-3077 or e-mail your requests to cnmi.step@commerce.gov.mp/.
Training participants pose with export expert instructor and Director of Southeast Asia Global Risk Mitigation Foundation, Chuck Lopez.
Participants work on a group activity where groups had to trade stocks between each other utilizing best practice mitigation strategies.
The sold-out workshop “What to Expect When You’re Exporting” was held on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan.
