The Office of Trade and Investment (OTI) provides a variety of export assistance programs, including Trade Missions and Programs, designed to help Illinois companies locate distribution channels for their products and services in foreign markets. The 2011 federal STEP award of $1.26 million will help provide small and medium-sized businesses with financial and technical assistance, including the opportunity to participate in group Trade Missions or Individual Foreign Market Sales Missions. Our programs help Illinois businesses engage with foreign buyers, agents, distributors and/or joint-venture partners.