Background

In this age of increasing globalization, international trade is essential to the economic growth and well-being of developing countries.  It is essential that developing countries promote products and services that can bring in revenues and improve their trade balances.  Unfortunately, many exporters in developing countries are unaware of the steps necessary to identify products with export potential and how to locate international trade partners.  With limited resources, contacts, expertise, and experience in exporting, few firms will be successful internationally without assistance. 

Objective

The objective of the economic development mission is to expose government officials and industry leaders in the developing country to trade promotion practices as used in the U. S.  With this information they will be better able to define strategies to make their products and services internationally competitive.  Only by seeing what works and how it works can they design procedures and programs that will increase their exports and improve their trade opportunities. 

Potential benefits of this mission

Participants will be able to see trade promotion activities that have been used successfully in the U.S.  They will be able to take many of the ideas and practices back to their country and help to influence practices there.  Depending on the specific actions taken, the impact on the developing country can be substantial.  

Topics to be covered include

• Developing strategies for attracting potential investors

• Developing points of contact to promote exports of goods and services

• Procedures to expedite shipments into and out of the country

• Reduction of constraints on importing and exporting

• Specific initiatives used to attract foreign investment

• Use of the Internet for trade promotion

• Requirements and procedures for exporting to the U.S.

• Conducting market research in target markets

• Connecting with distribution networks

• The role of a Chamber of Commerce and other development agencies

• Outsourcing opportunities

• The importance of quality control

What the economic development mission will see

The mission will visit:

• Importers and exporters
• Customs clearance and related organizations
• Chambers of Commerce
• Advertising agencies
• Government agencies that operate export assistance programs
• Banks

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