FINANCING: AN IMPEDIMENT TO EXPORTING BY SMALL AND MEDIUM FIRMS

The purpose of this study, based on a survey of 354 Florida companies, was to identify and assess the importance of factors that limit exports, with particular focus on the different types of export financing that were the most difficult to obtain. Statistical analysis was used to determine the significance of responses given by different sized firms. Four of the top five factors that limited the ability to export were related either to the unavailability of export financing or the lack of available information on export opportunities. Foreign buyer credit and various unsecured loans were the most difficult to obtain. Public and private policymakers should reevaluate their export promotion programs and make the changes necessary to eliminate the various obstacles to exporting.