About the Economic/Commercial Office

The Economic/Commercial Office of the Embassy of the United States of America in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is located on Entoto Street in the U.S. Embassy's compound. The office is the operational arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce for export development activities with the following main functions:

• Advocating U.S. commercial interests in Ethiopia
• Implementing the Department of Commerce's program and activities, and those administered by other U.S. Government agencies;
• Making representations to the Ethiopian Government and private sector on behalf of U.S. firms to resolve trade and investment problems; and
• Guiding companies to local business services, such as accountants, lawyers, market research firms, advertising agencies, banks, insurance companies, etc. 

The office is staffed by a Sr. Economic/ Commercial Officer, a Commercial Specialist, and a Commercial Clerk.
 
MAJOR PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
The Economic/Commercial Office provides U.S. firms with specific information, advice, and business contacts to help them understand and be successful in the Ethiopian marketplace. Counseling is also provided to Ethiopian businesspersons to help them contact U.S. firms with which they may wish to do business. Some of the programs the office provides include:

• Agent/Distributor Service (ADS)-- to assist U.S. businesspersons locate representatives who express interest in marketing U.S. goods and services.
• World Traders Data Report (WTDR)-- to help U.S. exporters to evaluate potential agents or partners in Ethiopia by including an assessment of credit worthiness, standing in the local business community, and overall reliability.
• Trade Opportunity Program (TOP)-- to identify timely sales leads in Ethiopia and make them available to U.S. businesses through the Department of Commerce, which lists them on an electronic bulletin board and on the National Trade Data Bank.
• Gold Key Service (GKS)-- to assist in appointment scheduling, research, and counseling, particularly to help U.S. companies/clients obtain face-to-face meetings with local business and government contacts. 

COMMERCIAL RESOURCE CENTER
Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) -- The Embassy of the United States of America is pleased to announce the opening of the new Commercial Resource Center at the U. S. Embassy Compound located on Entoto Street.  The new Commercial Resource Center replaces the former Commercial Library, which was situated on the third floor of the Artistic Building (Piazza). 

The new Commercial Resource Center provides modern commercial services with on-line access to the business community using the fastest Internet technology.  This facility will enable the business community to explore on-line databases and directories for information about U. S. companies, products, regulations and standards, sources of suppliers, etc.  The center will also provide advice and assistance in buying and importing U.S. products or contacting U.S. export companies.

In order to give individualized services to the business community, the use of the on-line access facility is provided on an appointment only basis.  For further information, please call Tel: 17-45-51.