Chapter 4: 4.2

4.2: Explain how the US Commercial Service can help companies wanting to enter the international market.

- The US Commercial Service in an entity within the Department of Commerce and provides more than 100 US cities and 150 overseas offices to help new exporters. It also helps those already in the international market place. Their primary services are marketing research, locating qualified buyers, trade events and global business consulting.

For counseling and advocacy, the US Commercial Service will help support government-government relations and will advocate on your behalf to allow your entry into the market. They provide advice and consulting support to ensure that your company has the information it needs to succeed. They will also help identify markets, launch products, develop major product opportunities, resolve market entry questions and receive assistance on regulatory matters.

The USCS provides a great deal of market research. Companies get access to a library of information on new regulations currency fluctuations, business trends and government-financed projects. Additionally, they obtain specific intelligence on export prospects their products or services in potential markets. And they get low-cost logistical and administrative support while on business travel.

The USCS finds qualified international buyers, or agents without traveling overseas. They also link you up with agents, distributors, association and government contracts, sales representatives licensing or joint venture partners and other strategic partners in your targeted export market. Companies are also given access to promote their products and services to more than 400,000 internation buyers in 145 countries by appearing in the agency’s “Commercial News USA” product catalog. Lastly, they provide low-cost credit checks or due diligence reports on international companies to help them avoid costly mistakes.

The government agency also promotes many trade events and related services. Trade shows at trade pavilions are a great way to show off your new product in new markets. Companies can also get easier access to international trade shows by participating in the trade fair certification program. The USCS also arranges meetings with international buyers by recruiting more than 125,000 new international buyers and distributors to 32 top US Trade Shows per year. Also, the USCS provides support for trade missions to help maximize contact with qualified distributors, sales reps or partners in one to four countries. The USCS also provides the International Catalog Exhibition program to help a company showcase their potential products and services.