U.S. Department of State 
August 1995 Business Services 
Office of the Coordinator for Business Affairs 
 
 
                        U.S. Department of State 
                           Business Services 
 
The U.S. Department of State is committed to promoting U.S. economic and 
commercial interests overseas.  Secretary Warren Christopher has put the 
economic security of the American people at the top of our foreign 
policy priorities. 
 

                       Support for U.S. Business 

The State Department's Role Overseas 
 
The State Department works with 18 other federal agencies in the Trade 
Promotion Coordinating Committee to ensure that the U.S. Government  
provides steady and effective support to U.S. business overseas. 
 
Our Ambassadors overseas understand that supporting American economic 
and business interests is a key part of their jobs. Their advocacy for 
American business often makes the difference. 
 
As President Clinton has stated, "Our Embassies are now on your side. 
The Secretary of State and so many others in the State Department have 
totally changed the direction of American diplomacy so that now the 
American State Department is known all over the world as being 
interested in doing business and helping Americans do business." 
 
State Department economic officers report on economic developments,  
trade, trends, and investment and privatization policies overseas.  They 
advance U.S. economic and commercial policy interests overseas, lay the 
groundwork for negotiation of multilateral and bilateral agreements on 
trade, investment, intellectual property rights, taxation, civil 
aviation, telecommunications and debt, monitor implementation of these 
agreements, and backstop and support the efforts of  other U.S. 
Government trade and economic agencies. 
 
In our major markets, State Department economic officers work closely 
with U.S. Commerce Department Commercial Service officers to ensure that 
advocacy of specific company concerns and broader commercial policy 
issues is coordinated  and to advise U.S. business executives on the 
local investment climate.  In countries  without a Commerce Department 
presence, State Department economic officers provide a full range of 
commercial services. 
 
State Department political officers advance U.S. political and security  
interests overseas, analyze and report on political developments and 
their impact on U.S. interests, and brief U.S. business executives on 
the local political climate . 


The America Desk 
 
The State Department has a China Desk, a Haiti Desk and a Poland Desk.  
Secretary Christopher has established an "America Desk".  
 
The Secretary and all State Department officers serve on  the "America 
Desk" to ensure that the vital concerns of the American people and the 
American business community are represented in the State Department and 
in our foreign policy. 
 

Coordinator for Business Affairs 
 
As part of the "America Desk" commitment, the Secretary has designated a 
Coordinator for Business Affairs to act as an ombudsman for business 
within the State Department. The Coordinator reports to the Under 
Secretary for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs, and works 
closely with our Embassies abroad and the State Department regional and 
functional bureau coordinators in Washington to promote U.S. economic 
and commercial interests through: 
 
--  ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF U.S. FIRMS COMPETING 
    OVERSEAS. 
 
--  LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD AND PROBLEM  
    SOLVING FOR U.S. BUSINESS OVERSEAS. 
 
--  BRINGING BUSINESS CONCERNS TO THE 
    FOREFRONT OF THE FOREIGN POLICY PROCESS. 
 
You should consider the Coordinator for Business Affairs a resource 
within the State Department.  We welcome your  ideas on how the 
Department can be more helpful to U.S. business. 
 
Coordinator for Business Affairs  
Senior Coordinator: David A. Ruth 
U.S. Department of State 
2201 C Street, N.W. 
Washington, D.C. 20520 
 
Tel: 202-647-1625                   Fax: 202-647-3953 
 

How Bureaus and Offices Facilitate Business 
 
Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs - coordinates  negotiation of 
international economic policies, with a lead role in the civil aviation 
and telecommunications sectors. 
 
Regional Bureaus: Bureau  coordinators facilitate business assistance 
and arrange country economic and political briefings.  
 
Bureau of Political and Military Affairs - helps U.S. firms sell defense 
and sensitive dual-use articles and services overseas, consistent with 
U.S. non-proliferation policies. 
 
Bureau for International Organizations - advises U.S. businesses on 
procurement opportunities with agencies of the United Nations.
Contact:  (202) 647-1155; Fax:  (202) 647-4628. 
 
Bureau of Diplomatic Security  Overseas Security Advisory Council - 
provides information on the security situation overseas. 
Contact:  (202) 663-0533; Fax:  (202) 663-0868 .  
 
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization - promotes 
procurement opportunities with the State Department for small and 
disadvantaged businesses. Contact (703) 875-6822. 

Bureau of Consular Affairs - provides consular and travel information 
via modem at (202) 647-9225 via an automated fax at (202) 647-3000, or 
via telephone at (202) 647-1488. 
 
Bureau of Public Affairs - handles requests for speakers and briefings 
(202) 647-5171. Policy information and Department publications may be 
obtained through the fax-on-demand system at (202) 736-7720 or on the 
Internet at:  Gopher: dosfan.lib.uic.edu or URL: 
gopher://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/; or WWW: http://dosfan.lib.uic.
edu/dosfan.html.  Contact:  Anita Stockman at (202) 647-6681. 
 
Publications - Country commercial guides are available electronically on 
the Government Federal Bulletin Board (BBS), (202) 512-1387 and the 
National Trade Data Bank (800) 872-8723 or in hard copy from the 
National Technical Information Service (NTIS), (703) 487-4630.  Key 
Officers, a Guide to Business Representatives is available from BBS or 
the Government Printing Office (GPO), (202) 783-3238, FAX (202) 512-
2233.  
 
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