Tribal nations and native-owned businesses are getting support in reaching a global audience thanks to a strategic-partnership agreement between the federal government and a nonprofit. 

A Strategic Partnership memorandum of agreement between the International Trade Administration (ITA) and National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) "will facilitate the growth of exports and foreign direct investment (FDI) across the whole of Indian Country," the ITA stated in a May 3 news release.

Marisa Lago, under secretary of Commerce for International Trade and head of the ITA, and Chris James, president and CEO of NCAIED, were signatories of the memorandum of agreement (MOA).

“The international market is increasingly important for Indian Country,” James said in the news release. “The partnership with ITA will help facilitate new and bigger opportunities for exports from and foreign direct investment in tribal communities. We thank Under Secretary Lago and the International Trade Administration for their commitment to equitable trade and investment – especially in Indian Country.”

The ITA, an office in the U.S. Department of Commerce, supports American businesses in the global marketplace by promoting exports of U.S. products as well as increasing FDI in the U.S., and defending American companies against unfair trade practices, according to the news release. The agency has more than 2,200 employees assisting U.S. exporters in more than 100 locations nationwide and 80 markets worldwide, the release reports.

The 501(c)(3) non-profit NCAIED has been assisting American Indian tribes and tribal people to start businesses and strengthen economic development for more than 50 years, and has "evolved into the largest national Indian specific business organization in the nation," the news release states.

Lago stated in the news release that ITA strives to ensure all businesses in the U.S. benefit from exports, "and most especially within historically underrepresented communities."

“This agreement between ITA and NCAEID is designed to assist Tribal Nations and Native businesses grow by exporting to international markets, encouraging FDI into Indian Country, and ensuring intellectual property protection for Native artists and businesses who sell their products all over the world," Lago said.