United States Commercial Service
The United States Commercial Service (USCS) is the trade promotion arm of the International Trade Administration within the United States Department of Commerce. The mission of the USCS is to promote the export of goods and services from the United States, particularly by small- and medium-sized businesses; to represent U.S. business interests internationally; and to help U.S. businesses find qualified international partners.
The USCS helps U.S. small and medium sized business grow international sales by providing:
* Online and customized market research.
* Support for U.S. exhibitors in selected overseas and domestic trade shows to attract qualified business partners.
* Fee-based programs to introduce exporters of U.S. products to qualified buyers and distributors.
* Individualized counseling and advocacy.
* Training programs on subjects such as export documentation, export controls, and the basics of exporting.
The core of the USCS is the network of international trade specialists in U.S. Export Assistance Centers throughout the United States and the USCS commercial officers, specialists, assistants and other staff located at USCS offices in U.S. embassies and consulates in more than 150 cities in 80 countries.
USCS links to assist your business:
Find an Export Assistance Center
Contact a Trade Specialist Near You
U.S. Government International Financing Programs
U.S. Commercial Service Market Research Library
Export.gov
Export.gov brings together resources from across the U.S. Government to assist American businesses in planning international sales strategies and succeeding in today's global marketplace. Export.gov wasalso created to provide better customer service for businesses interacting with the Federal Government. The U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration manages Export.gov as a collaborative effort with the 19 Federal Agencies that offer export assistance programs and services.
From market research and trade leads from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Commercial Service to export finance information from Export-Import BankSmall Business Administration to agricultural export assistance from USDA, Export.gov helps American exporters navigate the international sales process and avoid pitfalls such as non-payment and intellectual property misappropriation.
Whether you are a small business or a large business, you have access to a wide range of resources to help you expand sales abroad, increase jobs and opportunity in the United States, and improve your company's profitability.
Export-Import Bank of the United States
The U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) is the principal government agency responsible for aiding the export of American goods and services, and thereby creating and sustaining U.S. jobs, through a variety of loan, guarantee, and insurance programs. Generally, its programs are available to any American export firm regardless of size.
The Ex-Im Bank focuses much of its energy and resources to providing support to U.S. small businesses for export of U.S. made products. There are no transactions, in terms of dollars, that are too small for the Ex-Im Bank to consider. Programs aimed at this sector include Export Credit Insurance, and Working Capital Guarantee programs.
Overseas Private Investment Corporation
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is an agency of the United States Government established in 1971 that helps U.S. businesses invest overseas and promotes economic development in new and emerging markets.
OPIC's mission is to "foster economic development in new and emerging markets, support U.S. foreign policy and create U.S. jobs by helping U.S. businesses to invest overseas." The agency provides political risk insurance against the risks of inconvertibility, political violence, or expropriation. OPIC also provides financing through direct loans and loan guarantees.
United States Trade and Development Agency
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is a foreign assistance agency that advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency accomplishes its mission by providing grant funding to overseas project sponsors for various activities, including technical assistance, feasibility studies, and training. USTDA awards grants directly to overseas project sponsors who, in turn, select U.S. companies to perform agency-funded activities. The sponsor may be a government institution at the national, state/provincial, or local level, or it may be a local private company.
USTDA activities are designed to facilitate U.S. private sector participation in overseas development projects that have the potential to generate significant exports of U.S. goods and services. The agency also promotes overseas development by providing project sponsors with access to U.S. private sector solutions to their development needs.
Related topics:
Small Business
Trade & Development
Related links:
U.S. Commercial Service
Export.gov
U.S. Export-Import Bank
Overseas Private Investment Corporation
U.S. Trade and Development Agency
As an expert in international trade and commerce, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise in the field. I've actively engaged in various aspects of global business, from market research and trade shows to export documentation and navigating international regulations. My knowledge extends to government agencies and programs that play a pivotal role in facilitating U.S. businesses' global expansion.
The United States Commercial Service (USCS) is a key player in this landscape, serving as the trade promotion arm of the International Trade Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce. Its mission is clear: to promote the export of goods and services from the United States, especially focusing on small- and medium-sized businesses. The USCS achieves this through a range of initiatives and support mechanisms.
The core services offered by the USCS include online and customized market research, support for U.S. exhibitors in trade shows, fee-based programs connecting exporters with qualified buyers, individualized counseling, and training programs covering export-related topics. The network of international trade specialists in U.S. Export Assistance Centers across the United States, as well as staff in U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, forms the backbone of the USCS.
Export.gov is another crucial resource in the U.S. international trade landscape, bringing together information and assistance from various federal agencies. Managed by the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration, Export.gov serves as a comprehensive platform providing market research, trade leads, export finance information, and assistance in navigating the complexities of the global marketplace.
The U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) is a principal government agency that supports American exports through loan, guarantee, and insurance programs. While its programs are available to export firms of all sizes, the Ex-Im Bank places a significant emphasis on aiding U.S. small businesses. Programs like Export Credit Insurance and Working Capital Guarantee aim to facilitate small business participation in global trade.
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) focuses on promoting economic development in new and emerging markets by helping U.S. businesses invest overseas. Established in 1971, OPIC provides political risk insurance and financing through direct loans and loan guarantees.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) serves as a foreign assistance agency, advancing economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. By providing grant funding for activities like technical assistance and feasibility studies, USTDA facilitates U.S. private sector participation in overseas development projects.
In summary, these entities—USCS, Export.gov, Ex-Im Bank, OPIC, and USTDA—form a comprehensive framework that supports U.S. businesses in expanding their global reach, fostering economic development, and creating opportunities both domestically and abroad.
