> Trade Resources
Trade is important to Idaho's economy. Whether you’re a small business owner looking to expand into new markets, or a larger company that is already trading with overseas partners, you can find useful information to help your company.
International Trade Administration (U.S. Department of Commerce) promotes U.S. exports, advocates U.S. business interests abroad, enforces laws against unfair trade practices, and ensures compliance with U.S. trade agreements. The agency carries out its mission through four main units:
1. The Commercial Service is your primary point of contact throughout the United States and the world. A global network of Commercial Officers can help you at every stage of the exporting process.
2. Trade Development is the government's link to American industry. Industry sector specialists can help you identify trade opportunities for specific products or services.
3. Market Access and Compliance keeps world markets open to your products. Country specialists can help you benefit from our trade agreements with other countries.
4. Import Administration impartially enforces our trade laws, ensuring that you face a level playing field in the domestic marketplace.
Trade Development Agency (USTDA) offers a wide range of opportunities for
Export.Gov is a link to information on opportunities for rebuilding Iraq. This is the U.S. Department of Commerce's Iraq Investment and Reconstruction Task Force site for rebuilding Iraq.
GlobalEDGE is a web-portal that connects international business professionals to resources and information on global business activities, including cross-border business transactions, cross-cultural management, and e-commerce.
MyEXPORTS is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Commerce and Global Publishers LLC. The site offers U.S. exporters opportunities to make contacts and conduct business. Exporters can add their company’s name and profile to the U.S. Exporters Yellow Pages, taking advantage of exposure to hundreds of countries around the world.
Organization of Women in International Trade is a nonprofit organization designed to promote women doing business in international trade by providing networking and educational opportunities. Its members include women and men doing business in all facets of international trade including finance, public relations, government, freight forwarding, international law, agriculture, sales and marketing, import/export, logistics, and transportation.
The Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) is an independent U.S. Government agency that helps finance the overseas sales of U.S. goods and services. In 65 years, Ex-Im Bank has supported more than $300 billion in U.S. exports. Ex-Im Bank's mission is to create jobs through exports. It provides guarantees of working capital loans for U.S. exporters, guarantees the repayment of loans, or makes loans to foreign purchasers of U.S. goods and services. Ex-Im Bank also provides credit insurance that protects U.S. exporters against the risks of non-payment by foreign buyers for political or commercial reasons. Ex-Im Bank does not compete with commercial lenders, but assumes the risks they cannot accept. It must always conclude that there is reasonable assurance of repayment on every transaction financed. Ex-Im Bank is mandated to set aside 10 percent of its business for small businesses. The Bank accomplishes this in a variety of ways including special small business programs.
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation's political risk insurance and loans help U.S. businesses of all sizes invest and compete in 140 emerging markets and developing nations worldwide. OPIC, a U.S. government agency, assists U.S. private investment overseas because it is in America’s economic and strategic interest. By charging user-fees, OPIC operates at no net cost to U.S. taxpayers, and its reserves currently exceed $3.7 billion. OPIC will not support projects that could result in the loss of U.S. jobs, adversely affect the environment, or contribute to worker rights violations.
Foreign Agricultural Service The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural's Service works to improve foreign market access to U.S. products. The agency imoplements programs developed to build new markets and to maintain existing ones.
Senator Crapo is not responsible for the programs or content of the websites of the federal, state, and local agencies included here to assist Idaho businesses. Rather, these sites are provided as references and points of contact to assist companies. Please contact these agencies directly for additional information on their programs.