WASHINGTON-- Fred Hochberg, Chairman and President of the U.S. Export-Import Bank, hosts a Global Access for Small Business forum in Chicago on Friday.

The Ex-Im Bank organized the session on international trade at the Hotel Monaco, 225 N. Wabash, and about 250 are expected to attend. Chicago marks the 25th Global Access for Small Business event, a signature initiative of Hochberg.

"I hope that as a result of today's forum, more Chicago companies will soon be exporting to more customers in more countries around the globe with the support of Ex-Im Bank's financing services," Hochberg told the Sun-Times.

The U.S.-backed Ex-Im Bank helps finance U.S. exports of goods and services, taking on financing deals private lenders can't or won't do because of country or credit risks.

Speakers include Hochberg, Rep. Bob Dold (R-Ill.), J.P. Morgan Chase Midwest Chairman Glenn Tilton and Mayor Rahm Emanuel, President Obama's former chief of staff. There will also be representatives of the Department of Commerce and the Small Business Administration at the international trade session.

Later in the day Hochberg travels to Des Plaines to tour Honeywell UOP, a global exporter in the petroleum refining, gas processing, petrochemical industries to discuss potential Ex-Im bank financing.

On Thursday evening, Hochberg was scheduled to attend a Winnetka fund-raiser to benefit the Obama re-election drive headlined by billionaire Warren Buffett.