RIVERSIDE - Business owners, accountants, nonprofit operators and anyone else interested in attending the Riverside County Office of Foreign Trade's winter academy, focusing on selling goods and services overseas, have only a few days left to enroll.

The 2013 College of Foreign Trade academy begins Jan. 16 and wraps up on Feb. 27. The final day to sign up is Tuesday.

"Sixty-one business owners have already enrolled," said county Foreign Trade Commissioner Tom Freeman. "Applications are still being accepted for this dynamic series of courses that educate (participants) on how to take advantage of export programs that will help them grow their businesses."

Freeman said people are coming from as far as Sacramento to attend the academy.

The county provides study Advertisement

[ Metalography ] materials and space but commits no funds directly to the endeavor, according to Freeman.

Sponsors include the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Export- Import Bank, Southern California Edison, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce.

Instructors will hold seminars on "Global Business Opportunities for Small Business," "Exploring Market Entry Strategies," "International Trade Finance" and "International Shipping, Logistics and Supply Chains."

Classes are scheduled at the county's Economic Development Agency, 2001 Iowa St., Riverside. A desert academy is planned from March 13 to April 24 at the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership's Rabobank Regional Business Center, 3111 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs.

Questions about either academy should be directed to Paul Smith with the SBA, (714) 560-7448.