U.S. Commercial Service An Exporter s Resource June 7, 2011 Rebecca Torres, Commercial Officer
U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE WHO WE ARE Agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce s ITA (International Trade Administration) Worldwide network of 1800 trade specialists, deployed in 80+ countries, representing over 96% of the world marketplace Our mission: Help companies export U.S. made products and services Advocate on behalf of U.S. businesses abroad and protect their interests Place emphasis on small and medium sized enterprises
NATIONAL EXPORT INITIATIVE Announced in 2010 State of the Union address Executive Order Issued 3/11/10 Goal Double U.S. Exports Within 5 Years Doubling U.S. Exports = 2 Million New Jobs How?? Provide Export Assistance to Small and Medium Companies Increase Number of Trade Missions Engage U.S. Ambassadors in Commercial Advocacy Reduce Trade Barriers Promotion of Service Sector Exports
NATIONAL EXPORT INITIATIVE Progress Made in 2010 Results - - Commerce Department led 35 trade missions to 31 countries Recruited nearly 13,000 foreign buyers to U.S. trade shows Commerce Department helped some 5500 companies export for the first time or expand their business overseas 85% of those companies were small and mid sized Exports grew 17% in 2010 (largest year to year percentage change in 20 years) Exports contributed to nearly half of all U.S. economic growth in 2010
ASSESSING YOUR EXPORT READINESS My company has a product which has been successfully sold in the domestic market My company has or is preparing an international marketing plan with defined goals and strategies My company has sufficient production capacity that can be committed to the export market My company has the financial resources to actively support the marketing of our products in the targeted overseas markets My company is committed to developing export markets and is also willing and able to dedicate staff, time and resources to the process My company has adequate knowledge to meet foreign import regulations and cultural preferences My company has adequate knowledge in shipping its product overseas, such as identifying and selecting international freight forwarders My company has adequate knowledge of export payment mechanisms, such as developing and negotiating letters of credits.
READY, SET, GO! Register on our website for market research and trade leads: www.export.gov Explore Training and Counseling Opportunities Webinars/On-Line Training (e.g. www.export-u.com, www.export.gov) In-Person Events Small Business Development Center U.S. Export Assistance Center Develop an Export Business Plan (sample at http://www.export.gov/exportbasics) Perform Market Research - http://www.export.gov/mrktresearch/index.asp Country Commercial Guides (read latest Doing Business In guides) Industry Overviews Market Updates Multilateral Development Bank Reports Best Markets Industry/Regional Reports
Find Buyers READY, SET, GO! (cont d) Trade Events Searchable list of Trade Events (http://www.export.gov/eac/trade_events.asp) Trade Mission Trade Shows Commercial News USA/Florida Export Directory International Partner Search You Provide Us with Company Background Information and Marketing Materials You Receive a List of Up to 5 Pre-Qualified Partners Gold Key Service Pre-screened appointment schedule arranged before you travel Customized market briefings with our local trade specialists Post meeting debriefing and assistance in determining appropriate follow up Due Diligence of Buyers International Company Profile (includes interview and site visit)
FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS 1994 - NAFTA (Canada and Mexico) 1996 - Israel 2001 - Jordan 2004 - Chile 2004 - Singapore 2004 - Morocco 2005 - CAFTA (Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic) 2005 Australia 2006 - Bahrain 2009 - Peru 2009 - Oman Pending--------------Colombia, Panama and S. Korea
ADVANTAGES OF FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS Easier and cheaper to get your goods to market Reduced trade barriers Low to zero duty costs to your buyer Right to bid on certain government procurements in the FTA country Right for U.S. service suppliers to supply their services in the FTA country Protection and enforcement of American-owned intellectual property rights in the FTA country Right for U.S. exporters to participate in the development of product standards in the FTA country Right for U.S. investors to get adequate compensation if its investment in the FTA country is taken by the government (e.g., expropriated) Tariff Tool on our website: http://www.export.gov/fta/ftatarifftool/index.asp
DID YOU KNOW.? Only 1% of U.S. companies export; and of that number, 58% export to one country only 95% of the world s consumers are outside of the U.S., and 80% of consumption growth predicted to occur outside of North America and Europe Nearly 1 million jobs in Florida depend on international business* More than 48,000 Florida companies export, accounting for 18% of all U.S. exporters; the 2 nd largest number of exporters in the U.S.* According to the National Association of Manufacturers, Florida has the 3 rd highest level of exports as a share of total manufactured goods in the U.S. More than 95% of Florida exporters are small and medium-sized companies with 500 or fewer employees* Small and medium-sized companies account for 2/3 of Florida exports; the highest figure among the the 50 states and higher than the U.S. average of 30%* On average, companies that export grow 15% faster, pay 15% higher wages and are 12% more profitable than those that do not. * Source-Enterprise Florida Inc.
THANK YOU Rebecca Torres U.S. Export Assistance Center 13805 58 th Street N. Suite 1-200 Clearwater, FL 33760 727-893-3128 rebecca.torres@trade.gov export.gov 800.USA.TRADE