GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Exporting and importing seldom are treated as equals by any country. Though governments support the import of needed raw materials, they generally place heavier emphasis on exporting, because it brings needed foreign exchange and stimulates job expansion. So it is in the United States. The United States government strongly supports exports through the International Trade Administration (ITA) of the Department of Commerce. Approximately 75% of the Department's budget is focused on this function. ITA is the major division of Commerce, and it is organized basically into external and internal arms.
The external arm is called the Foreign Commercial Service (FCS). Overseas, the FCS maintains offices in 120 major foreign cities in the 63 countries that are the United States' principal trading partners. More than 180 commercial offices, supported by over 500 Foreign Service Nationals, provide a full range of business, investment, and financial counseling services. These services include political and credit-risk analysis, advice on market-entry strategy, sources of financing, and major project identification, tracking, and assistance. FCS officers identify and evaluate importers, buyers, agents, distributors, and joint-venture partners for United States firms, they can introduce you to local business and government leaders and assist in trade disputes. These services are available to anyone who wants them. All you have to do is call or write your local Commerce Department District Office or the offices listed in Appendix B of this book.
The FCS Senior Commercial Officer in each country is a principal advisor to the United States Ambassador. The FCS staff gathers data on specific export opportunities, country trends affecting trade and investment, and prospects for specific industries. They also monitor and analyze local laws and practices that affect business conditions.
The domestic or internal arm of ITA operates 47 district offices in industrial and commercial centers throughout the United States. (See the district office addresses listed in Appendix C). These offices offer a broad range of trade-related information, as well as one-on-one counseling by experienced trade specialists. The district offices can tell exporters and other prospective businesses about:
• Trade and investment opportunities abroad
• Foreign markets for United States products and services
• Financial aid
• Insurance from the FCIA
• Tax advantages of exporting
• International trade exhibitions
• Export documentation requirements
• Economic facts on foreign countries
• Export licensing requirements
The district offices work closely with experienced regional international businesspeople through 51 District Export Councils (DECs). The 1,800 volunteer DEC members are available to:
• Counsel prospective exporters on the how-to's of international trade
• Co-sponsor seminars and workshops with the district offices
• Address business groups on international business opportunities
• Promote awareness of the trade-assistance programs of the Department of Commerce
In addition to the district offices of the ITA around the United States, the Department of Commerce also has approximately 165 desk officers at their headquarters in Washington, DC, whose job it is to be experts in assigned countries, from Afghanistan through Zimbabwe. These desk officers are resources who not only support the Secretary of Commerce and the secretary's legislative responsibilities, but also provide specific information about the laws and products of their countries to American business personnel.
Besides the district offices and the desk officers, ITA maintains an Export Counseling Center in Washington, DC, to help United States firms develop or expand markets abroad (telephone (202) 377-3181). Counselors advise exporters on the choice of Commerce Department services. United States exporters who are planning to visit Washington and would like to schedule appointments with desk officers or program specialists within the Commerce Department (and/or other agencies involved in international marketing) should contact the nearest district office or the Export Counseling Service.
Exporting and importing seldom are treated as equals by any country. Though governments support the import of needed raw materials, they generally place heavier emphasis on exporting, because it brings needed foreign exchange and stimulates job expansion. So it is in the United States. The United States government strongly supports exports through the International Trade Administration (ITA) of the Department of Commerce. Approximately 75% of the Department's budget is focused on this function. ITA is the major division of Commerce, and it is organized basically into external and internal arms.
The external arm is called the Foreign Commercial Service (FCS). Overseas, the FCS maintains offices in 120 major foreign cities in the 63 countries that are the United States' principal trading partners. More than 180 commercial offices, supported by over 500 Foreign Service Nationals, provide a full range of business, investment, and financial counseling services. These services include political and credit-risk analysis, advice on market-entry strategy, sources of financing, and major project identification, tracking, and assistance. FCS officers identify and evaluate importers, buyers, agents, distributors, and joint-venture partners for United States firms, they can introduce you to local business and government leaders and assist in trade disputes. These services are available to anyone who wants them. All you have to do is call or write your local Commerce Department District Office or the offices listed in Appendix B of this book.
The FCS Senior Commercial Officer in each country is a principal advisor to the United States Ambassador. The FCS staff gathers data on specific export opportunities, country trends affecting trade and investment, and prospects for specific industries. They also monitor and analyze local laws and practices that affect business conditions.
The domestic or internal arm of ITA operates 47 district offices in industrial and commercial centers throughout the United States. (See the district office addresses listed in Appendix C). These offices offer a broad range of trade-related information, as well as one-on-one counseling by experienced trade specialists. The district offices can tell exporters and other prospective businesses about:
• Trade and investment opportunities abroad
• Foreign markets for United States products and services
• Financial aid
• Insurance from the FCIA
• Tax advantages of exporting
• International trade exhibitions
• Export documentation requirements
• Economic facts on foreign countries
• Export licensing requirements
The district offices work closely with experienced regional international businesspeople through 51 District Export Councils (DECs). The 1,800 volunteer DEC members are available to:
• Counsel prospective exporters on the how-to's of international trade
• Co-sponsor seminars and workshops with the district offices
• Address business groups on international business opportunities
• Promote awareness of the trade-assistance programs of the Department of Commerce
In addition to the district offices of the ITA around the United States, the Department of Commerce also has approximately 165 desk officers at their headquarters in Washington, DC, whose job it is to be experts in assigned countries, from Afghanistan through Zimbabwe. These desk officers are resources who not only support the Secretary of Commerce and the secretary's legislative responsibilities, but also provide specific information about the laws and products of their countries to American business personnel.
Besides the district offices and the desk officers, ITA maintains an Export Counseling Center in Washington, DC, to help United States firms develop or expand markets abroad (telephone (202) 377-3181). Counselors advise exporters on the choice of Commerce Department services. United States exporters who are planning to visit Washington and would like to schedule appointments with desk officers or program specialists within the Commerce Department (and/or other agencies involved in international marketing) should contact the nearest district office or the Export Counseling Service.
Comments
Post a Comment