Trans-Atlantic Small Business Initiative
The Trans-Atlantic Small Business Initiative (TASBI) was launched in November 1996, following contacts between the European Commission and the US Department of Commerce in the framework of the Trans-Atlantic Business Dialogue. The aim of TASBI is to support cooperation, trading relations and investment between SMEs from opposite sides of the Atlantic. The Initiative comprises two actions: - Organization of sectoral meetings, to encourage SMEs from both sides of the Atlantic to form partnerships; - Development of a single database for the EU and the USA, which will allow SMEs to research the economic environment of each region and identify potential partners. The first activity supported by TASBI will be a mission of around 100 European automotive suppliers to the SAE Expo in Detroit from 24 to 27 February 1997. SAE Expo is the largest automotive engineering exhibition in the world. The US Department of Commerce is organizing the "Eurobenefit Matchmaker" trade mission from 21 to 29 April 1997. This mission will bring representatives of US enterprises to Belgium, The Netherlands and Italy.