29. Business America

Description of Publication: Business America

Business America: The Magazine of International Trade (BA), first published by the State Department under another name in October 1880, is the oldest U.S. government magazine. After more than a hundred years of continuous publication, Business America still has the same mission: to help American companies sell their products overseas. That mission has been turned over to the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA). The ITA has over 50 commercial districts around the country and in Puerto Rico. Many, but not all, of the offices have trade specialists who are available for counseling: the offices, addresses and telephone numbers plus trade specialist positions are listed at the end of the journal.

BA is a brief publication of approximately 35 pages that focuses on special trade topics (e.g., "Reinvented Government Programs: Paving the Way for Exporters Into the 21st Century") that are designed to inform, instruct, and motivate American businesspersons. The format is simple, but jazzed up considerably (for the government that means two-color separation and big fonts) in the last few years. The magazine leads with "Trade Watch," which gives brief sketches on the most recent trade activities involving the United States (e.g., "U.S. Economy"; "U.S. International Transactions"; "World Bank Sets Up Infrastructure Project Database"; etc.). Examples of some articles-written by ITA trade specialists-are:

"Reinvention Efforts Spread Through the Internet, As the Information Age Meets International Trade."
"American Cosmetics Are Looking Beautiful in Foreign Markets."
"US-China Commission Finds New Ways to Build Bilateral Partnerships."

BA also features a number of useful services that are highlighted in boxes, colors, diagrams, and the like, such as "New Books and Reports"; "Calendar for World Traders"; and "International Trade Exhibitions."

The Department of Commerce also publishes Commerce Business Daily, which can be searched on Dialog (see Chapter 21). It lists major federal contract awards and requests for proposals issued by civilian and military agencies. State agency databases also appear on commercial systems. To make researching the best markets easier, the Commerce Department's Commercial Service offers a variety of market research tools and trade lead sources. Call the National Trade Data Bank (NTDB) at (800) Stat-USA. Business America is the door to a lot of information; you will benefit by using it. For example:

• The National Trade Data Bank (NTDB) is a "one-stop" source of international trade data collected by federal agencies (CD-ROM available).
• Country Commercial Guides (CCGs) are comprehensive reports focused on single countries that cover topics important to exporters.
• Best Markets Reports (BMRs) describe the best prospects for U.S. sales abroad.
• Industry Sector Analyses (ISAs) are structured market research reports produced on location in leading overseas markets.
• International Market Insights (IMIs) are short profiles of specific foreign market conditions or opportunities prepared at embassies or development banks.
• Customized Market Analysis (CMA) program is market research made to order (prices range from $1,000 to $5,100 depending on the country).
• Trade Opportunities Program (TOP) provides timely sales leads from international firms seeking to buy or represent U.S. products and services.
• Agent/Distributor Service (ADS) is for companies seeking a customized search for qualified agents, distributors, or representatives abroad.
• International Company Profiles (ICPs) portray the reliability of prospective trading partners.
• Commercial Service International Contacts (CSIC) provides contact and product information on more than 46,000 firms abroad interested in U.S. products.

If you are just beginning your search and do not want to limit it to any particular agency within the U.S. government, try the U.S. government international-trade related Internet sites at www.business.gov/trade.html. Some other sites of interest are:

Information on the U.S. Trade Commission may be obtained by calling: (202) 205-2000.

www.ita.doc.gov
tic@ita.doc.gov
CD available
Database: Stat-USA , call (800) 782 8872

Business America

monthly publication
For more information, call: International Trade Administration,
Phone (202) 205-2000

In this section:

26. Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications
27. Public Administration Review
28. Tax Guide for Small Business Publication
29. Business America
30. Washington Information Directory
31. Political Handbook of the World

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