KEY OFFICERS

OF FOREIGN

SERVICE POSTS

Guide for Business Representatives

Doing Business Overseas—Your First Point of
Contact

If you are planning a trip overseas or need informa¬
tion about doing business overseas, your first point
of contact should be the nearest U.S. Department of
Commerce District Office.

There are 47 District Offices and 21 Branch
Offices in cities throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico
staffed by trade specialists from the U.S. and For¬
eign Commercial Service (US&FCS). These District
Offices provide information on foreign markets,
agent/distributor location services, tradeleads,and
counseling on business opportunities.

All District Offices have access to the National
Trade Data Bank, a "one-stop" computerized source
for current export promotion and country-specific
trade data collected by 17 U.S. Government agen¬
cies.

It is strongly recommended that business rep¬
resentatives inform the District Office of their plans
to travel overseas. The District Office will notify
Commercial Sections in overseas posts of the up¬
coming visit to ensure that they are adequately
prepared to help.

The Key Officers Guide lists key officers at
Foreign Service posts with whom American busi¬
ness representatives would most likely have con¬
tact. All embassies, missions, consulates general,
and consulates are listed.

At the head of each U.S. diplomatic mission are
the Chief of Mission (with the title of Ambassador,
Minister, or Charge d'Affaires) and the Deputy Chief
of Mission. These officers are responsible for all
components of the U.S. Mission within a country,
including consular posts.

Commercial Officers assist U.S. business through:
arranging appointments with local business and
governmentofficials; counseling onlocal trade regu¬
lations, laws, and customs; identifying importers,
buyers, agents, distributors, and joint venture part-