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Indian-Owned Textile Company Maintains Made-in-USA Resources & Increases Global Sales w/ EXIM

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Nestled in the Township of Bensalem Pennsylvania is a small textile and design company called AKAS. The company was established in 2007 by Indian immigrants Sidharth and Archana Sharma who moved to the United States to create a better life for their children – Karishma and Ashrey.

Living the American dream, the new business owners centered their company’s core values around family – so much so that they created the abbreviation AKAS from the first letter in each of their names - Archana, Karishma, Ashrey and Sidharth.

AKAS is known for its eco-friendly, made-in-America fabrics that benefit a variety of industries all over the world – including apparel and food companies, hospitality, automotive and more.

As experts in design, engineering, and raw materials sourcing, the Sharma’s found success early on and purchased another textile company called Wazoodle.

Looking to expand further, AKAS discovered the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) in 2013 which would allow them to increase revenue by offering credit terms to their international customers.

EXIM provides export-financing mechanisms to protect US exporters from non-payment and to support their working capital needs.

As a result from working with EXIM, "customers order larger quantities due to the fact that we give them credit terms up to 3 months. They make their product with our fabrics, sell it and then pay us", said Sidharth. "It's a Win- Win situation for all.'

EXIM has a team of professionals dedicated to assisting minority and women-owned businesses with navigating its export-financing tools. To learn more feel free to contact a specialist here or visit www.exim.gov.