Resources

This resources page provides links to numerous federal, state and private resources. Our website’s publications page contains our free e-newsletter Beyond Virginia issued every other Wednesday and the newsletter archives. You can also view over 70 FastFacts— export FAQ’s on getting started, export issues, and various countries and regions. Virginia companies may also access our annual reports and various special reports or download our annual calendar of events.

• Beginning Export
• Financing
• Country Information
• Virginia Trade Resources
• Global Information
• Product Statistics & Classification
• Licensing Controls
• Trade Shows
• Miscellaneous Information
• Publications

A Basic Guide To Exporting. A step by step outline for first-time exporters.
http://www.unzco.com/basicguide

Export Hotline Online: Contains information on countries, industries, trade stats, trade shows, shipping services and contacts for exporting.
http://www.exporthotline.com/

Global Insight: Source of regional, national and international economic information, consulting and data services. Also contains recent news releases and special studies.
http://www.globalinsight.com

Trade Information Center: A Department of Commerce page on federal export assistance programs, country and regional market information and trade leads.
http://www.ita.doc.gov/td/tic/

Glossary of Shipping Terms (U.S. Dept. of Transportation): Definition of shipping terms, organized alphabetically.
http://www.marad.dot.gov/publications/Glossary/glossary.html

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Trade Finance Guide : A Quick Reference for U.S. Exporters has been written to help U.S. companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), learn the fundamentals of trade finance to turn their export opportunities into actual sales and to achieve the ultimate goal: to get paid for their export sales.
http://www.ita.doc.gov

Banker's Association for Foreign Trade: Dedicated to manufacturing. Contains search options, resources, partners and referrals.
http://www.baft.org

Export-Import Bank of the United States: Independent U.S. government agency that helps finance the overseas sales of U.S. goods and services.
http://www.exim.gov

International Monetary Fund: Informational website of the international organization helping to maintain a stable system of buying and selling currencies so that payments between foreign countries occur without delay.
http://www.imf.org/

Inter-American Development Bank: The oldest and largest regional multilateral development institution, it was established to help accelerate economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Dedicated to manufacturing.
http://www.iadb.org

Overseas Private Investment Corporation: Independent U.S. government agency that sells investment services to assist U.S. companies overseas.
http://www.opic.gov

SBA - Financing Your Business: SBA works with banks to provide exporters with loans and venture capital financing through a variety of programs.
http://www.sba.gov/financing/

World Bank: Emphasizes investing in people, protecting the environment, supporting private sector development, strengthening ability of governments to deliver quality services and promoting reforms to create a stable macroeconomic environment.
http://www.worldbank.org

U.S. Trade and Development Agency: Helps U.S. companies pursue overseas business opportunities. Online resources, library and trade and export news.
http://www.tda.gov

Virginia Dept. of Business Assistance, Financing: Delivers and develops financial products and service to increase employment and investment of private capital in Virginia businesses.
http://www.dba.state.va.us/financing/

Suntrust Bank: Banking institution providing personal, small business and corporate and institutional banking services.
http://www.suntrust.com/

BB&T(Branch Banking & Trust): Virginia bank providing retail, commercial, mortgage and international banking services.
http://www.bbandt.com/

Bank of America: Banking organization providing personal, small business, commercial and other banking services.
http://www.bankofamerica.com/

Wachovia: Banking institution providing personal, business, corporate and other banking solutions.
http://www.wachovia.com/

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Economic Intelligence Unit: Produces analysis and forecasts of political, economic and business environments in over 180 countries.
http://www.eiu.com

United States State Department: Foreign affairs agency of the U.S. government. Provides foreign policy information and assists U.S. businesses in developing markets.
http://www.state.gov/

Key State Dept. Officers at Foreign Posts: Listing of key officers of Foreign Service Posts.
http://www.foia.state.gov/MMS/KOH/keyofficers.asp

State Department Travel Information: Assists U.S. citizens traveling abroad, provides travel warnings and country information sheets and issues passports.
http://travel.state.gov

CIA WorldFactbook: Provides detailed country profiles compiled by the CIA.
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html

U.S. Department of Commerce's Monthly Trade Update: Monthly update of U.S. and Foreign trade developments.
http://www.ita.doc.gov/td/industry/otea/ustrade.html

National Technical Information Service: Official source for government-sponsored U.S. and worldwide scientific, technical, engineering and business-related information.
http://www.ntis.gov/

National Trade Databank: Provides access to current and historical trade-related releases, international market research, trade opportunities, country analysis and the trade library.
http://www.stat-usa.gov

Trade Information Center: A Department of Commerce page providing federal export assistance programs, country and regional market information and trade leads.
http://www.ita.doc.gov/tic

Electronic Embassy: Information on all foreign embassies in Washington, D.C.
http://www.embassy.org/

U.S. Census Bureau: The U.S. DoC's Census Bureau web site can be used to search for Schedule B numbers used in exports, as well as to cross-reference Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes and North American Industrial Classification Schedules (NAICS).
http://www.census.gov/

The United Nations: International organization working for peace, justice and equal rights, humanitarian assistance and economic development.
http://www.un.org/

United States Agency for International Development (USAID): Independent government agency that provides economic development and humanitarian assistance to advance U.S. economic and political interests overseas.
http://www.usaid.gov/

U.S. State Dept. Country Commercial Guides: Annual reports providing factual data relating to the historical, cultural and economic profile of a particular country.
http://www.export.gov

U.S. State Department Country Background Notes: Provides info on geographic entities and international organizations.
http://www.state.gov/www/background_notes/index.html

United Nations Development Business Online (UNDB): Is published by the United Nations Department of Public Information and is available by subscription. Business publication providing information on opportunities to supply goods and services to projects financed by the world's leading development banks
http://www.devbusiness.com

Canadian Technology Network:
http://ctn-rtc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Contracts Canada
http://www.contractscanada.gc.ca/en/busin-e.htm

India, import/export: Provides information related with Indian Foreign Trade.
http://www.infodriveindia.com/

Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO): Has new match-making system between overseas and Japanese companies.
http://www.jetro.go.jp/ttppe

Mexico Information Center for North America:
http://www.mexico-trade.com/

Statistics Canada:
http://www.statcan.ca/start.html

Worldwide Holidays:
http://www.earthcalendar.net/index.php

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Virginia International Trade Alliance (VITAL): International alliance of companies across Virginia dedicated to the advancement of international trade and investment.
http://www.vitalforva.org/

Virginia Port Authority: Port operations, services, stats and international trade development news.
http://www.vaports.com/

Commonwealth of Virginia U.S. Export Assistance Center: There are two U.S. Commercial Service Export Assistance Centers in Virginia. One in Arlington, which covers Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., and one in Richmond.
http://www.buyusa.gov/virginia/

Virginia Society of CPA's: Website for the VSCPA's. Contains links, referrals and news releases.
http://www.vscpa.com/

Virginia Stat: Statistics on business, demography and economy of Virginia.
http://www.coopercenter.org/econ/VASTAT/

Virginia State Bar: Licensing board for lawyers practicing in Virginia. Regulates, improves and educates members of the legal profession, promotes administration of justice and quality of legal services provided to Virginians.
http://www.vsb.org/

Sister Cities International: Agency that links communities from the U.S. with communities worldwide.
http://www.sister-cities.org

Virginia Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Promotes economic growth and development of Virginia's agriculture.
http://www.vdacs.state.va.us/

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Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in USA: Official Hong Kong Website in the USA.
http://www.hongkong.org/

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation: Goal is to advance Asia-Pacific economic dynamism and sense of community.
http://www.apecsec.org.sg/

Business Information Service for the Newly Independent States (BISNIS): Information for doing business in Russia and the other states of the former Soviet Union.
http://www.bisnis.doc.gov

Central and Eastern European Business Information Center (CEEBIC): Facilitates trade and commercial development between the U.S. and Central and Eastern Europe.
http://www.mac.doc.gov/ceebic

European Union in the U.S.: Economic union among European nations promoting growth and foreign trade.
http://www.eurunion.org/

NAFTA Home Page: Provides information to U.S. exporters experiencing market access barriers to Canada or Mexico.
http://www.mac.doc.gov/nafta/index.htm

Organization of American States' Foreign Trade Information System: Provides information and documents on trade in the Western Hemisphere.
http://www.sice.oas.org/

The Economist Intelligence Unit: Database of international business intelligence. Can access strategic industry studies, country analysis and forecasts of the political, economic and business environment in more than 180 countries (fee required).
http://www.eiu.com

European Union Business: Provides regularly updated information about EU policy, legislation, tenders, statistics and documents affecting economic activity in the European Union.
http://www.eubusiness.com

EuroMonitor.com: Provides market reports for various industries in countries worldwide, (fee required).
http://www.euromonitor.com

European Union information:
http://europa.eu.int/index-en.htm

ESN-MAIL: Free weekly business news service covering the European IT Market.
http://www.esnmail.com/

The Federation of International Trade Associations (FITA): The International Trade/Import-Export Portal, the source for B2B leads, news, events and links to 3,000 international trade related Web sites. FITA is a network of 300,000 companies belonging to more than 350 international trade associations in the U.S.A,
http://www.fita.org

International Monetary Fund (IMF): Has publications, country information that can be used in market research, as well as economic forecasts.
http://www.imf.org

Latin Focus: Covers economic and financial information about Latin American countries.
http://www.latin-focus.com

MERX Canada: MERX is Canada's Electronic Tendering Service access to procurement opportunities from the federal, provincial, municipal governments, universities, hospitals and school boards across Canada.
http://www.merx.com/

National Law Center for Inter-American Free Trade: Created in 1992, the Center is a non-profit research and educational institution which seeks to develop the legal infrastructure necessary to facilitate the movement of goods, services and investment capital in the Western Hemisphere.
http://www.natlaw.com/index.htm

Worldwide Holidays:
http://www.earthcalendar.net/index.php

CIBER's International Business Resources: Provides links to various trade and market research resources, including worldwide section on Company Listings, Directories, and Yellow Pages can be used to research distributors.
http://ciber.bus.msu.edu/busres.htm

International Directory of Agents, Distributors and Wholesalers: Alphabetical listings of distributors, companies with product and market information, (fee required).
http://www.importexporthelp.com/diragt.htm?AIBco0813

Kompass.com: Can be used to locate international distributors and trading partners. Service is free, requires registration/log in.
http://www.kompass.com/

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International Trade Administration, Office of Trade and Economic Analysis: An information directory of regions, countries, industries and statistics. Also includes links to assistance centers for exporting, importing and trade compliance.
http://www.ita.doc.gov

National Trade Databank: Provides access to current and historical trade-related releases, international market research, trade opportunities, country analysis and the trade library.
http://www.stat-usa.gov

Organization of American States, Foreign Trade Information System: Contains predominantly Western Hemisphere information on trade agreements, investment treaties, quantitative data, private sector opportunities, a calendar of trade events and link to other official sources.
http://www.sice.oas.org

Schedule B Classification: A listing of Harmonized Code classifications that may be downloaded.
http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/schedules/b

SIC Code Search: Standard Industry Classification Codes that may be searched by keyword or 4-digit code.
http://www.osha.gov/oshstats/sicser.html

Virginia Stat: Statistics on business, demography and economy of Virginia.
http://www.coopercenter.org/econ/VASTAT/

Bureau of Industry and Security: First contact for Export Licenses information and Export Commodity Control Numbers (ECCN).
http://www.bis.doc.gov/

Bureau of Transportation Statistics: U.S. Dept. of Transportation. Can be used to provide surface (Rail, Truck, Mail) transportation volume per U.S. State to Mexico and Canada.
http://www.bts.gov/ntda/tbscd/reports.html

The Dismal Scientist: Worldwide economic analysis and statistics available.
http://www.dismal.com

World Trade Atlas: From Global Trade Information Services, Inc. (GTI) specializes in international trade and market information. Provides export volume data from U.S. exports per state, per commodity (Schedule B number) and listing top destinations and markets.
http://www.gtis.com

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U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security: Controls exports, develops export control policies and issues export licenses. Search options and press releases.
http://www.bis.doc.gov

Institute for Standards and Technology: Works with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements and standards. Links, search options, publications and upcoming events.
http://www.nist.gov/

Trade Compliance Center: Helps U.S. exporters benefit from trade agreements. Trade agreement database, market access information and links.
http://www.export.gov

Virginia Chamber of Commerce: Statewide business organization that represents businesses at both state and federal level. Government affairs, publications, news releases and Virginia links.
http://www.vachamber.com

World Trade Organization: Forum for trade negotiations, handles trade disputes and monitors trade policies. Cooperates with other international organizations.
http://www.wto.org/

U.S. Customs: Handles issues from duties, import clearance, and required Shipper's Export Declaration (SED). Customs also has general export information and links to other Federal Government web sites.
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov

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Trade Events Calendar: Database that lists trade events supported by U.S. government agencies. (click on trade events, then click on Calendar)
http://www.ita.doc.gov/td/tic/

World Trade Centers Association: Organization in service to those who develop and facilitate international trade.
http://iserve.wtca.org

Trade Show News Network (TSNN): Provides information on trade shows, conferences and seminars, service providers and venues and facilities around the world.
http://www.tsnn.com

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American Association of Exporters and Importers: National association that represents U.S. corporations involved in importing and exporting before the Executive Branch, Congress and regulatory agencies.
http://www.aaei.org

American Translators Association: Largest professional association of translators and interpreters in the U.S.
http://www.atanet.org

Federation of International Trade Associations: Promotes international trade by strengthening role of associations in North America that have an international mission.
http://www.fita.org/

Journal of Commerce On-Line: Online newspaper reporting on international and transportation news.
http://www.joc.com

National Capital Area Chapter of the Amercan Translators Association, Professional Services Directory: Searchable up-to-date directory of translation, interpretation and other language services.
http://www.ncata.org/

Export Legal Assistance Network (ELAN): Under the ELAN program, international trade attorneys from the Federal Bar Association provide free initial consultations to small businesses interested in starting export operations.
http://www.fita.org/elan

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