Women Without Borders Forum Provides Tools for Doing Business in the U.S., Mexico, and Central America

Santa Ana, CA, October 20, 2007 --(PR.com)-- With the growth of business across borders brought about by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), business relationships between the U.S., Mexico, and Central America have changed dramatically. Put that together with 130,000 women-owned businesses in Orange County alone and the potential for growth in conducting business across borders is phenomenal.

To help area business women maximize business opportunities both in the U.S. and internationally, the Institute for Women Entrepreneurs has joined forces with MIPEK, the Mexican Consulate of Santa Ana, the El Salvador Consulate of Santa Ana, Sabia International, FTOC (Families Together), Central America Chamber of Commerce, UNICO, Home Investing Solutions, and MENTEINC.COM to present, “Business Women without Borders 2007.” The two-day forum, presented in Spanish with simultaneous English translation, will be held on Friday, October 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Community Center, 112 S. Montgomery Way, Anaheim, CA 92807. The forum fee, including two days of presentations, meals, and a yacht reception, is $125. Reservations are required and may be made by calling (909) 348-2710 or by visiting www.ociwe.org.

“Many women who own businesses do not know how to maximize business opportunities both in the U.S. and across borders,” said Sallie Salinas, director of the Institute for Women Entrepreneurs, an economic development program of the Rancho Santiago Community College District Foundation. “This forum will provide the tools they need to compete globally, to understand the increasing role of technology in doing business, and will offer some interesting retirement options.”

The forum features presentations by Yolanda de Gavidia, El Salvador’s minister of economy; Ambassador Margarita Escobar, El Salvador’s vice minister of foreign affairs; Luis Miguel Ortiz Haro, Mexican Consul of Santa Ana; and Ana Bessie de Recinos, Salvadorian Consul of Santa Ana.
The following topics will be covered:
- NAFTA and CAFTA;
- Importing products to the U.S.;
- Understanding your customers’ customs;
- The regulations, policies, laws and taxes of conducting business internationally;
- Understanding the increasing role of technology;
- Finding funds for your business;
- The challenges of family businesses, and more.

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About the Institute for Women Entrepreneurs
The Institute for Women Entrepreneurs (IWE), an economic development program of the Rancho Santiago Community College District Foundation, broadens the reach of business training and consulting to help women start, grow and expand their small businesses. The IWE supports local businesses through one-on-one business consulting services, key business workshops geared to the needs of women entrepreneurs and network-building opportunities. While welcoming men to its programs, the IWE caters to the needs of women entrepreneurs.