Working Wednesday: Doing Business within China and other countries

Last week I attended a seminar with speakers from the U.S. Department of Commerce. They have a U.S. Commercial Service and more specifically, The China Business Information Center. You may want to visit their website, export.gov/china. They have information on the basic first steps; qualified buyers and distributors; laws, regulations, and customs; and market research.

The Commercial Service has offices in 78 countries, all listed on the website. Besides the web, the Commercial Service can be contacted at 800-USA-TRADE (800-872-8723). These countries represent more than 90% of the world's market for exports. The Commercial Service international offices generated $18.3 billion in exports for U.S. companies and their domestic offices facilitated $5.8 billion in U.S. export sales during fiscal year 2010.

Roberta Ford, who is the Director of the Commercial Service office in Columbus said that Ohio has seen a 21% increase in exporting to China, placing Ohio 10th in the nation. There are 6 offices in Ohio: Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, and Dayton.

She reminded the audience that 95% of the consumers in the world live outside of the U.S. The Commercial Service will have 25-30 trade shows throughout the U.S. per year. These will be listed on the website. Also, see http://www.trade.gov/cs/states/csinyourstate.asp and click on Ohio. You will see events coming up, such as the conference in March in Cincinnati.

There is a National Export Initiative under the U.S. Small Business Administration that wants to double U.S. exports by 2015. Ohio has partnered with SBA to create the Ohio International Market Access Grant for Exporters (IMAGE). Funding is available to help small business market at the international level such as participating in an international trade show, funding for services provided by Commercial Service, and defraying some costs related to a trade mission. See www.IMAGE.development.ohio.gov or contact their office at 614-466-5017 for more details. The Ohio Department of Development's Office of Export Assistance may also be of assistance to you.