LINKS

Country General Info Source (CIA World Fact Book)
Country Profiles for each country compiled by the US CIA which details country information on geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military and transnational issues. This is a good site to do country research which details country facts and technical information.

Chambers of Commerce (Worldwide)
World Chambers Network is a global network of Chambers of Commerce which helps companies of all sizes expand their national and worldwide markets through secured, electronic commerce. WCN is a good site to provide technical assistances on issues such as ATA Carnets and trade opportunities.

Eurochambres (EU Chambers of Commerce)
Eurochambres is an Association of more than 1,500 Chambers of Commerce and Industry in 37 countries representing 15 million businesses. This Association has two main tasks: to advise Governments on local, regional and national levels, and to provide services for businesses across all sectors. They are active in promoting trade, industry services, representing their regional economies, helping enterprises to tackle successfully the challenge of a more globalised economy; they set up training facilities and supervise professional and continued training, they handle certification and arbitration as well as many other official duties linked with trade and world-wide economic cooperation and integration. A good source for EU related news and technical information on international trade.

International Business Resources (by Global Edge, presented by Michigan State University)
A global business knowledge web-portal that connects international business professionals worldwide to a wealth of information, insights, and learning resources on global business activities. By serving as a gateway to specialized knowledge on countries, cross-border business transactions, and cross-cultural management which responds to a real interest expressed by an increasing number of global business professionals. It also creates a virtual community of both executives and academics with like interests. This is a good site to condust research related to international trade issues.

International Statistics
OFFSTATS, Official Statistics on the Web, provided by The University of Auckland Library by Country. Good site for research purposes.

International Trade Data System
The International Trade Data system (ITDS) is a federal government information technology initiative of the National Performance Review. The goal of the initiative is to implement an integrated government-wide system for the electronic collection, use, and dissemination of international trade data.

National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
The National Technical Information Service serves our nation as the largest central resource for government-funded scientific, technical, engineering, and business related information available today. For more than 50 years NTIS has assured businesses, universities, and the public timely access to well over 2 million publications covering over 350 subject areas. Our mission supports the nation's economic growth by providing acess to information that stimulates innovation and discovery.

WTO Trade Statistics
The WTO Statistics Division compiles statistics required by the Secretariat for the regular analysis of world trade in merchandise and commercial services, and for special studies on particular aspects of international trade.

Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIMBANK)
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is an independent U.S. Government agency that helps finance the overseas sales of U.S. goods and services. In 65 years, Ex-Im Bank has supported more than $300 billion in U.S. exports. Ex-Im Bank's mission is to create jobs through exports. It provides guarantees of working capital loans for U.S. exporters, guarantees the repayment of loans or makes loans to foreign purchasers of U.S. goods and services. Ex-Im Bank also provides credit insurance that protects U.S. exporters against the risks of non-payment by foreign buyers for political or commercial reasons. Ex-Im Bank does not compete with commercial lenders, but assumes the risks they cannot accept. It must always conclude that there is reasonable assurance of repayment on every transaction financed.

European Union
The European Union (EU) was set up after WWII. The process of European intergration was launched on 9 May 1950 with six countries and now has 15 member states: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, France, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The EU is preparing for the accession of 13 eastern and southern European countries. The EU is based on the rule of law and democracy. It is neither a new State replacing existing ones nor is it comparable to other international organizations. Its Member States delegate sovereignty to common institutions representing the interests of the Union as a whole on questions of joint interest. All decisions and procedures are derived from the basic treaties ratified by the Member States.

International Air Transportation Association - IATA
"Originally founded in 1919, IATA brings together approximately 280 airlines, including the world's largest. Flights by these airlines comprise more than 95 percent of all international scheduled air traffic. Since these airlines face a rapidly changing world, they must cooperate in order to offer a seamless service of the highest possible standard to passengers and cargo shippers. Much of that cooperation is expressed through IATA, whos mission is to 'represent and serve the airline industry'".

International Chamber of Commerce
ICC was founded in 1919. Today it groups thousands of member companies and associations from over 130 countries. National committees in the world's major capitals coordinate with their membership to address the concerns of the business community and to convey to their governments the business views formulated by ICC. This site has some great reference material regarding international trade topics.

International Monetary Fund - IMF

Reverse Logistics Executive Council
"The Reverse Logistics Executive Council is a not-for-profit professional organization. Reverse Logistics is the process of moving goods from their typical final destination to another point, for the purpose of capturing value otherwise unavailable, or for the proper disposal of products."

The International Air Cargo Association - TIACA
TIACA is the only worldwide organization which brings together all the links of the air logistics chain. TIACA is pledged to support and assist progressive liberalization of the global market and easier, enhanced trade between developing and developed countries.

United Nations - UN

World Trade Centers Association
"The World Trade Centers Association is an organization of nearly 300 World Trade Centers in almost 100 countries, connect to expand your global business."

World Customs Association
"The WCO is an independent intergovernmental body with 162 member countries whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs Administrations. This site has National Customs by country links, National Tariffs by country and International Tariffs."

World Trade Organization - WTO