The Missouri International Trade & Investment Office is the lead agency for export assistance in the State of Missouri, with 14 foreign offices around the world. These offices provide in-market connections and expertise to support market entry and expansion. The foreign offices also play a major role in foreign direct investment lead generation within their respective markets. The offices are located in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany (Europe), India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam (SE Asia), and the U.S. (New York City).
The following services are available to Missouri firms. Certain services are only available where Missouri has representative foreign office coverage. Contact us for more information.
Flagship Services
Market Research
Understanding your product/service potential in a foreign market, applicable tariffs or duties, competitive landscape, and foreign government regulations will enable you to analyze and identify opportunities by factual examination of research related to the market's economy and industrial sector prevailing conditions.
Agent/Distributor Search
Using your ideal partner criteria, our staff will search for qualified prospects. We will then provide you a screened listing of candidates and let you negotiate the deal.
Business-to-Business Development
Whether taking the next steps on a completed Agent/Distributor Search, participating in an international trade show, or traveling in market, our foreign office personnel can schedule business-to-business meetings on your behalf to ease workload and maximize engagement.
Additional Services
Advocacy
Our office can support your company's export goals through advocacy via diplomatic government-to-government channels to help you compete in foreign markets.
Background Check
We can help you evaluate a foreign company's qualifications by providing necessary information such as company size, total sales, management structure, market share, and recent press.
Business Protocol
Navigating the cultural dimensions of a foreign market presents numerous questions that our staff can help answer, enabling you to better understand your business partner’s culture.
Certificate of Sale
Our office can issue a certificate of free sale, which is often required by countries to certify that the products being exported are of the same quality as those normally freely sold/approved for export in open markets.
Customized Company Trade Mission
With your specifications in mind, a customized trade mission or international sales trip will maximize your return on investment. A calendar of upcoming events, including group trade missions coordinated by our team, is available on the Trade Events page.
Export Finance
Our office can assist you in accessing trade finance programs. Additionally, our office administers two grant programs for eligible Missouri small businesses to support qualifying export activities: State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) and Global Market Access Program (GMAP). To review eligibility requirements, visit the Financing page.
Trade Counseling
An increase in exports comes with an increase in complexity. Let our highly skilled trade specialists with focused regional expertise assist with marketing, strategic, and logistic issues.
Trade Shows
Our office can help you achieve your maximum potential by providing details on upcoming trade shows, logistical or planning support, and information on Missouri attended trade shows.