The trade commissions abroad are very important. They are the market intelligence unit of the exporting country. Unfortunately, some people unfairly brand the trade commission as a spy agency. Its market information gathering is an overt operation that is sanctioned by the host country, as opposed to the unauthorized covert operation of spying.
Export market information, such as business opportunities and market analysis of target products and services, and various trade publications from the host country are being relayed by trade commissions abroad to the head office. Such information is then relayed by the head office to the exporting community through its trade publication.
Exporters in some countries may find it unnecessary to contact their trade commissions abroad for export information. The information is often available at the head office.
The responsibilities of a trade commission generally are similar from country to country. The primary responsibility is to assist its exporters in selling their products in the foreign markets. The trade commission, however, cannot do everything for the exporter. Some of the can do's and cannot do's of the Canadian Trade Commissions to the Canadian exporters that are outlined by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) in Canada are as follows:
Can :-- Recommend appropriate technical experts to help exporter negotiate a deal
- Help exporter find good translators and interpreters
- Help exporter select effective agents
- Maintain a liaison with exporter's agents and encourage them
- Advise on the settlement of overdue accounts
- Advise exporter on situations and circumstances affecting travel to and within a country
- Cannot :-
- Be present at all the negotiations when exporter is closing a deal
- Serve as exporter's translator and interpreter
- Act as exporter's agent
- Train or supervise exporter's agents
- Act as exporter's collector
- Act as exporter's travel agent
By : Bhadresh Bhatt
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