          
          
          
                WHERE TO RECEIVE EXPORT COUNSELING
          
          Trade Information Center (TIC):  The U.S. Government 
          interagency Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee has 
          established a comprehensive, one-stop information center 
          for U.S. companies seeking information on Federal programs 
          and activities that support U.S. exports, including 
          information on overseas markets and industry trends.  The 
          center provides detailed information on the resources 
          available through the publication Export Programs:  A 
          Business Directory of U.S. Government Resources.  Also 
          provided is a computerized calendar of U.S. 
          Government-sponsored domestic and overseas trade events.  
          For more information, contact the TIC at 1-800-USA-TRADE.
          
          U.S. Department of Commerce/International Trade 
          Administration (ITA):  ITA offers assistance and 
          information to help U.S. exporters.  ITA units include 
          country (International Economic Policy -- IEP) and industry 
          (Trade Development -- TD) experts and domestic and overseas 
          commercial offices (U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service -- 
          US&FCS), each promoting products and offering services and 
          programs for the U.S. exporting community.
          
          The Japan Export Information Center (JEIC):  The Office of 
          Japan is the country-specific (IEP) expert on Japan in ITA.  
          The Office of Japan performs two separate and distinct 
          functions:  trade policy and trade promotion.  The former 
          involves the development and implementation of bilateral 
          and multilateral trade policy and commercial strategies.  
          The latter function is performed by the recently 
          established JEIC.  The JEIC offers business counseling and 
          provides current and accurate information on exporting to 
          Japan.  The JEIC provides information on doing business in 
          Japan, market entry alternatives, market information and 
          research, product standards and testing requirements, 
          tariffs, and nontariff barriers.  The staff also maintains 
          a commercial library and is available to participate in 
          private- and government-sponsored seminars on various 
          aspects of doing business in Japan.  Contact the JEIC at 
          (202) 377-2425.
          
          Trade Development (TD):  TD industry specialists work with 
          manufacturing and service industry representatives and 
          associations to identify trade opportunities and obstacles 
          by product or service, industry sector, and market.  They 
          also develop export marketing plans and programs.  To 
          assist U.S. business in its export effort, industry experts 
          conduct executive trade missions, trade fairs, marketing 
          seminars, and business counseling.  Seven major industry 
          sector offices offer export promotion services:  Aerospace, 
          Automotive and Consumer Goods, Basic Industries, Capital 
          Goods and International Construction, Science and 
          Electronics, Services, and Textiles and Apparel.  A 
          cross-sectoral unit, Trade Information and Analysis, 
          provides statistical data and analyses useful in export 
          promotion.  To identify an industry specialist, call (202) 
          377-1461 or contact the Japan Export Information Center at 
          (202) 377-2425.
          
          U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS): Established 
          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 (district offices) and 67 countries 
          worldwide.  US&FCS offices provide information on foreign 
          markets; agent/distributor location services; trade leads; 
          financing aid; and counseling on business opportunities, 
          barriers, and prospects abroad.  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.  For the telephone number of 
          your local district office, contact the Japan Export 
          Information Center at (202) 377-2425 or call (202) 
          377-4767.
          
          Office of Export Trading Company Affairs:  This office has 
          the Federal role in promoting the formation and use of 
          export trading companies and export management companies, 
          and offers information and counseling to businesses and 
          trade associations regarding the U.S. export intermediary 
          industry.  The office also administers the Export Trade 
          Certificate of Review program, which provides limited 
          antitrust protection to U.S. firms for joint export 
          activities that can lower expenses and increase profits.  
          For more information, call (202) 377-5131.
          
          U.S. Department of Commerce/Bureau of Export Administration 
          (BXA):  BXA is responsible for control of exports for 
          reasons of national security, foreign policy, and short 
          supply.  Licenses on controlled exports are issued and 
          seminars on U.S. export regulations are held domestically 
          and overseas.  For information, call (202) 377-4811.
          
          U.S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and 
          Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Marine Fisheries 
          Service (NMFS):  NMFS specialists work with fishing 
          industry representatives and organizations to facilitate 
          access to foreign markets.  In cooperation with US&FCS, 
          NMFS assists exporters seeking to find and explore new 
          opportunities for export of fish and fish products, 
          especially to the Japanese and European markets.  It also 
          provides inspection services for fishery exports and issues 
          U.S. Government certification.  Contact the Office of Trade 
          and Industry Services at (301) 427-2379 and Export 
          Inspection Services at (301) 427-2355.
          
          U.S. Department of Agriculture/U.S. Trade Assistance and 
          Planning Office (TAPO):  TAPO is a single contact point 
          within the Foreign Agricultural Service for agricultural 
          exporters seeking foreign market information.  The office 
          also counsels firms that believe they have been injured by 
          unfair trade practices.  Contact TAPO at (703) 305-2771.
          
          Small Business Administration/Export Legal Assistance 
          Network (ELAN): ELAN is a nationwide group of attorneys 
          with experience in international trade who provide free 
          initial consultations to small businesses on export-related 
          matters.  Contact ELAN at (202) 778-3080.
          
          Small Business Administration/Small Business Institutes 
          (SBI):  SBIs provide international trade counseling and 
          management assistance to eligible small businesses.  
          Contact the Office of Business Development at (202) 
          205-7414.
          
          Export-Import Bank of the United States/Services for Small 
          Businesses:  Eximbank offers briefing programs which are 
          available to the small business community, including 
          regional seminars, group briefings, and individual 
          discussions held both within the bank and around the 
          country. Eximbank offers a special toll-free hotline to 
          provide information on the availability and use of export 
          credit insurance, guarantees, and direct and intermediary 
          loans extended to finance the sale of U.S. goods and 
          services abroad.  Contact the hotline at 1-800-424-5201.
          
          Export-Import Bank of the United States/City-State Program:  
          Eximbank works with state and local government agencies to 
          offer export counseling and financial assistance to the 
          businesses in their jurisdictions.  Cooperative programs 
          currently operate in three cities (Columbus, Los Angeles, 
          and Tucson) and eight states (California, Maryland, 
          Massachusetts, Nevada, Michigan, Texas, Utah, and 
          Washington) and the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey.  
          New programs are being established in North Carolina, 
          Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.  For more information, contact 
          (202) 566-4490.
          
          Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)/Investor 
          Services:  Investor services is an OPIC initiative designed 
          to assist smaller U.S. firms with their overseas investment 
          planning and implementation needs.  Fee-based services 
          provide counseling to American firms on business plan 
          development, project structuring, joint venture partner 
          identification, and location of project financing services.  
          Contact Investor Services at (202) 457-7091.
          
          
