Where to get export counseling

International Trade Administration ITA offers assistance and information to help exporters. ITA units include: (1) domestic and overseas commercial officers, (2) country experts, and (3) industry experts. Each unit promotes products and offers services and programs for the U.S. exporting community.

* U.S. AND FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE (US&FCS)--To help U.S. firms compete more effectively in the global marketplace, the US&FCS has a network of trade specialists in 68 U.S. cities and 66 countries worldwide. US&FCS offices provide information on foreign markets, agent/distributor location services, trade leads, and counseling on business opportunities, trade barriers, and prospects abroad.

There are 47 district offices and 21 branch offices in cities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Most offices maintain business libraries containing the Commerce Department's latest reports. District office trade specialists can provide the business community with local export counseling and a variety of export programs and services, including the Export Qualifier Program. In this program, specialists help firms determine their readiness to export through a computerized program. Specific recommendations are proposed to help strengthen and enhance a company's exporting ability.

Commercial officers in the Overseas Posts collect information about trends and barriers to trade in their areas and seek out trade and investment opportunities to benefit U.S. firms. They provide a range of services to potential exporters traveling abroad, such as providing assistance with appointments with key buyers and government officials.

CONTACT: For the address and phone number of your nearest Department of Commerce district office, see page 40, or call 1-800-USA-TRADE.

* INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC POLICY COUNTRY DESK OFFICERS (IEP)--This is the Department of Commerce source for information on trade potential for U.S. products in specific countries. Individual IEP country desk officers, plus several regional business information centers, highlight new opportunities for trade and investment. These specialists can look at the needs of an individual firm wishing to sell in a particular country in the full context of that country's economy, trade policies, and political situation. Desk officers collect information on their assigned country's regulations, tariffs, business practices, economic and political developments, trade data, and market size and growth, keeping a current pulse on the potential markets for U.S. products, services, and investments.

CONTACT: Country desk officers; see pages 24-25 for a list, with telephone numbers.