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Doing Business in International Markets

The Office of Commercial and Business Affairs (CBA), headed by Frank Mermoud, Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs, plays a major role in coordinating trade and investment matters in support of U.S. firms doing business overseas. CBA can help answer your questions and provide information on important issues such as corruption and bribery in overseas markets, U.S. export controls on sensitive equipment and technologies, and business-related visas for employees, partners and clients of U.S. firms. CBA also coordinates State Department advocacy on behalf of American businesses and can provide assistance in opening markets, leveling the playing field, protecting intellectual property and resolving trade and investment disputes.

CBA and the Department of State work with our U.S Government trade promotion partners and our U.S. embassies around the world to support American businesses overseas by providing commercial information and identifying market opportunities for American firms, advocating on their behalf, and encouraging corporate responsibility. U.S. Embassy officers are the eyes, ears, and in-country advocates for U.S. business interests throughout the world. 

  
Highlights

U.S.-Kazakhstan Public Private Economic Initiative
On June 24 in Astana, Frank Mermoud, Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs, joined Karim Masimov, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, and Paul Dyck of the U.S. Department of Commerce to launch the United States-Kazakhstan Public Private Economic Initiative. To open the conference’s afternoon session, Mr. Mermoud gave an address  in which he discussed the role of foreign direct investment, support for entrepreneurship, and consistent governance in establishing a developing market economy in Kazakhstan. The Initiative’s Joint Resolution was adopted at the event’s conclusion.

Fostering Innovation in Turkey
On June 13 in Istanbul, Frank Mermoud, Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs, and Ross Wilson, Ambassador to Turkey, delivered remarks to the American Business Forum for Turkey. The Conference, entitled "Fostering Innovation in Product and Process for a Better Business and Investment Climate,” was attended by over 300 people, and stimulated dialogue on cultivating entrepreneurship in the Turkish economy.

U.S.-China Conference on Innovation 
On December 10, Frank Mermoud, Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs, represented the State Department at the U.S.-China conference on innovation entitled 'Building an Innovative Society.'On December 10, Frank Mermoud, Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs, represented the State Department at the U.S.-China conference on innovation entitled "Building an Innovative Society." In addition, he chaired the panel on "The Role of the Government and Public-Private Partnerships in Fostering Innovation." New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg featured in the attached photo was one of the panelists at this session. The conference aimed to stimulate discussion about the regulatory, administrative, and judicial conditions needed in order to enable innovative businesses to thrive.

Iraq
This website has information on U.S.-funded Iraq reconstruction projects open to private contractors.

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