A directory of export services

Business America, May 7, 1990

Contact a State Department country desk officer--telephone (202) 647-4500; or: Office of Commercial, Legislative and Public Affairs Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs U.S. Department of State, Room 6822 Washington, D.C. 20520 (202) 647-1942

Overseas Private Investment Corporation

Through the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the government facilitates U.S. private investments in less developed nations. OPIC is an independent, financially self-supporting corporation, fully owned by the U.S. Government with offices in Washington, D.C.

OPIC provides political risk insurance and financing to American companies interested in the developing countries. It also offers specialized insurance and financing services for U.S. service contractors and exporters operating in the developing world.

For more information on OPIC programs, a toll-free telephone number may be used: (800) 424-6742 (457-7010 in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area). Contact: Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) 1615 M St., N.W., Suite 400 Washington, D.C. 20527

Trade Policy (U.S. Trade Representative)

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is an agency of the Executive Office of the President. The USTR is the President's chief advisor on trade, coordinates trade policy within the U.S. Government, and is the principal negotiator of trade agreements. The USTR also is the U.S. representative to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and is responsible for administering some of the laws to prevent unfair trade practices. Individual exporters should contact the USTR's office if they want to file a complaint about unfair trade practices under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 or if they seek relief under Section 201 of that law. Contact: Office of the U.S. Trade Representative 600 17th St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20501 (202) 395-3230

Agency for International Development

The Agency for International Development (AID) administers most of the foreign economic assistance programs for the federal government. AID offers U.S. exporters opportunities to compete in the sales of goods or services supplied to foreign countries under loans and grants made by AID. U.S. exporters can benefit from two AID programs: the Commodity Import Programs and Project Procurements. In both of these programs, AID recipient countries purchase the commodities directly through U.S. suppliers. Contact: Office of Business Relations * Commodities (703) 875-1590 * Technical Assistance Service

(703) 875-1551

Agency for International Development (AID/USDBU) Department of State Building 320 21st St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20523

Trade and Development Program

The Trade and Development Program (TDP) is an independent U.S. Government agency that primarily funds feasibility studies for public/private sector projects in developing countries. TDP finances studies mainly in large-scale energy generation and conservation, infrastructure, mineral development, agribusiness, and basic industrial facilities. A major purpose of TDP funding is to help U.S. engineering/planning firms win major consulting contracts overseas. Contact: Trade and Development Program Room 304, SA 16 Department of State Washington, D.C. 20523-1602 (703) 875-4357