1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Global Small Business Network Act . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Small businesses empower citizens of a country, strengthen communities, provide employment to millions, and form the backbone of the United States economy. (2) Small business concerns across the United States have benefitted from access to technical assistance, regulatory guidance, and educational programs through small business development centers (referred to in this Act as SBDC ) in the United States. (3) The SBDC model has successfully been adopted in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, through assistance from the Small Business Network of the Americas’ initiative funded through the Department of State. (4) The Small Business Network of the Americas’ initiative is a highly effective program that works with host governments in the Americas to establish small business development centers, primarily funded by the host governments. (5) SBDC networks outside the United States serve as important conduits of commerce with the United States, providing important information, tools, and regulatory guidance to small businesses interested in trading with the United States. (6) The establishment of SBDCs in other parts of the world promotes opportunities for small businesses to thrive and engage with the United States economy. 3. Global and regional networks (a) Global Small Business Network (1) Establishment The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, is authorized to establish and administer a Global Small Business Network program. (2) Purpose The purpose of the Global Small Business Network program is to— (A) enhance the ability of small business concerns in the United States that are affiliated with a small business development center to export to foreign markets and take part in international commerce