Organizations
AAEI
American Association of Exporters and Importers
American Association of Port Authorities - AAPA
AAPA, the alliance of leading ports in the Western Hemisphere, protects and advances the common interests of its diverse members as they connect their communities with the global transportation system.
American Institute of Marine Underwriters (Marine Insurance)
The American Institute of Marine Underwriters (AIMU) has over 100 years of service as the trade association representing the marine industry as an advocate, educator and information center.
Global Offset and Countertrade Association - GOCA
The GOCA is an association of key US manufacturers, exporters and international trade financiers involved in selling and investing in a variety of industries (often of infrastructural and/or "big ticket" items), including—but not limited to—electronics, commodities, telecommunications, power generation, defense and aeronautics. The purpose of the GOCA is to provide a forum to educate and network. This is in order to create ways to facilitate trade flows and investments into countries that either have (a) difficulties externalizing hard currency, or (b) impose certain counterpurchase or offset obligations on vendors that are selling their products, projects and technologies. Areas of primary interest to GOCA members tend to focus on ways to create financing and investment solutions, to mitigate sovereign/political and commercial risk. Financing facilities often deploy countertrade techniques that may utilize barter, clearings, credit insurance and enhancements, structured financing using offtake arrangements, counterpurchase, etc.
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 Maritime Organization - IMO
"The IMO Convention entered into force in 1958 and the new Organization met for the first time the following year. The purposes of the organization, as summarized by Article 1(a) of the Convention, are 'to provide machinery for cooperation among Governments in the field of governmental regulation and practices relating to technical matters of all kinds affecting shipping engaged in international trade; to encourage and facilitate the general adoption of the highest practicable standards in matters concerning maritime safety, efficiency of navigation and prevention and control of marine pollution from ships. The Organization is also empowered to deal with administrative and legal matters related to these purposes.'"
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."