15 USC 4723a - United States Commercial Centers

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 4723a.

United States Commercial Centers

(a)

Establishment

(b)

Purpose of Centers

(c)

Functions of Centers

Each Center shall—

(1)

collect and publish economic and market data with respect to the host country;

(2)

provide, on a user-fee basis, preliminary technical and clerical assistance, language translation, and administrative assistance, and information regarding the legal systems, laws, regulations, and procedures of the host country, to United States exporters seeking to do business in the host country; and

(3)

in other ways promote exports of United States goods and services to the host country.

(d)

Specific services to be provided

To carry out its objectives, each Center shall make available the following (on a user-fee basis):

(1)

Business facilities

(2)

Business services

(3)

Commercial law information services

Commercial law information services, including—

(A)

a clearinghouse for information regarding the relevant commercial laws, practices, and regulations of the host country;

(B)

publications to assist United States businesses;

(C)

legal referral services; and

(D)

lists of local agents and distributors.

(e)

Other trade promotion activities

Each Center shall also promote United States export trade by—

(1)

facilitating contacts between buyers, sellers, bankers, traders, distributors, agents, and necessary government officials from the United States and the host country;

(2)

coordinating trade missions; and

(3)

assisting with applications, contracts, and clearances for imports into the host country and exports from the United States.

(f)

Staffing of Centers

(g)

Center facilities and their relationship to United States Department of Commerce operations in host countries

(1)

Physical accommodations for the Centers

(2)

Consolidation of Department of Commerce operations in host countries

(h)

Use of Market Development Cooperator Program

(i)

Authorization of appropriations

(j)

Repealed. Pub. L. 104–66, title I, § 1021(b), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 712

(k)

Definitions

For purposes of this section—

(1)

the term “United States exporter” means—

(A)

a United States citizen,

(B)

a corporation, partnership, or other association created under the laws of the United States or of any State, or

(C)

a foreign corporation, partnership, or other association, more than 95 percent of which is owned by persons described in subparagraphs (A) and (B),

that exports, or seeks to export, goods or services produced in the United States;

(2)

the term “State” means any of the several States, the District of Columbia, or any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States; and

(3)

the term “United States” means the several States, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.

(Pub. L. 102–549, title IV, § 401, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3661; Pub. L. 104–66, title I, § 1021(b), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 712.)

cite as: 15 USC 4723a