Federal Export Promotion Programs
The State and local economic development planner operates in a rich
environment of federal resources for support of export promotion efforts. Below is a list
of links to federal resources.
For a more thorough discussion of federal resoures, including those for agricultural
products and financing programs of export promotion, see the Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ) pageof the
1997 annual international trade conference of the Association
of Chamber of Commerce Executives(ACCE)
Just as state and regional programs have come under heavy criticism, so are federal level programs not immune from criticism from policy analysts and the congressional budget ax. The primary example is the Congressional Testimony of policy analysts from the Cato Institute who in 1995 proposed the cessation of the majority of federal export assistance programs. Though these programs survived, their funding level has been drastically reduced. Another example can be found in the Ex-Im Bank Debate Section of the Export Promotion focus page for the 1997 annual conference of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives.
US Export Assistance Centers The EAC network is one of the most widespread with over 40 centers across the US. These Centers combine the resources of the Departmet of Commerce, Small Business Administration, Export-Import Bank, and other area organizations, and are often the defacto state export promotion centers for less populous states or regions.
US Department of Commerce This is the central coordinating federal agency which overseas federal trade promotion programs. It overseas the following agencies:
International Trade Administration The primary Export Promotion Agency of the Federal Government. This agency overseas the activities of:
Trade Development Program
This is the Economic Analysis center of ITA, whose staff of specialists provide information and market analysis in a variety of industry sectors.US and Foreign Commercial Service This combination of domestic and foreign offices serves to facilitate the link to the foreign market for exporting firms in need of government assistance.
Small Business Administration This is the primary federal institution which concentrates on offering programs to firms which are new to exporting. It also may serve as the primary export promotion institution in an area.
Office of Export Promotion
World Trade Centers Association Professionals at over 180 Centers worldwide provide business assistance.
District Export Councils DEC's are US domestic associations of local business leaders who provide professional assistance to local communities through the organization the US & Foreign Commercial Service. 51 EC's exist nationwide.
Federation of International Trade Associations This organization suppports developing the role of state, local, and federal agencies in the activities of trade associations throughout the United States and world
Research & Education Institutions
Centers for International Business and Education and Research These institutions provide educational and research resources to their area business communities and have been established at 27 US Universities
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