Small businesses make up 97 percent of the country's exporters yet only 1 percent of the nation's small businesses export. This stat was cited by U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.,) last week to demonstrate that exporting offers an opportunity for small businesses to grow even as they are bogged down by the recession.

Landrieu also said, "exporting has become a practical solution for small businesses looking to survive and grow."

Read more about how the Small Business Administration has two key programs designed to help small businesses that export. Go here.

United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship introduced a bill to help increase small business trade opportunities.

Small businesses play a vital role in America's international commerce, representing about 97 percent of all exporters. Yet, with only one percent of small firms exporting their goods -- making up slightly more than a quarter of the country's exporting volume -- exporting remains dominated by large firms.

U.S. exports of goods and services grew by 12 percent in 2008 to $1.84 trillion, while imports increased 7.4 percent to $2.52 trillion -- further evidence that more small business involvement in exporting would help reduce the country's trade deficit.

The bill calls for more focus on small business issues, helping to raise the profile of small exporters and ensuring that the interests of these exporters are represented during trade negotiations.

Read more here.