Business Tools

BIDS: The Business Information Database System (BIDS) gives U.S. businesses up to the minute information about significant foreign government and multilateral development bank procurements. Through an interactive map interface, businesses can find new export opportunities, validated by U.S. government economic and commercial experts overseas. Public and private partners can link to or download BIDS data for matchmaking, analysis, or other purposes.

Direct Line for American Business: The Direct Line for American Business program connects U.S. businesses and American Ambassadors and U.S. mission personnel overseas, making you part of our “country team.” You will get up to the minute information on markets vital to your business, and learn about new sectors and tenders to help you expand your business.

BusinessUSA.gov: BusinessUSA is a White House initiative that serves as an electronic clearing house for U.S. Government information and assistance that relates to business.

U.S. Government Resources

• Department of Commerce: Facilitates global trade by opening up new markets for U.S. goods and services. The Department of Commerce has a wide range of responsibilities in the areas of trade, economic development, technology, entrepreneurship and business development, environmental stewardship, and statistical research and analysis.
• Export.gov: Brings together resources from the U.S. Government to assist American businesses in planning their international sales strategies and facilitates their success in today’s global marketplace.  Export.gov also hosts information on the National Export Initiative.
• Export Import Bank of the United States: As the official export credit agency of the United States, it is Ex-Im Bank’s mission to assist in financing the export of U.S. goods and services to international markets; this is accomplished through the financing and insuring of foreign purchases of United States goods for customers unable or unwilling to accept credit risk.
• National IPR Center: The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) stands at the forefront of the U.S. government’s response to global intellectual property (IP) theft.
• Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) : Responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. Their expertise include expansion of market access for American goods and services, World Trade Organization issues, and trade, commodity, and direct investment matters managed by international institutions.
• Overseas Private Investment Corporation : As the U.S. Government’s development finance institution, they help U.S. businesses gain footholds in emerging markets catalyzing revenues, jobs and growth opportunities by providing investors with financing, guarantees, political risk insurance, and support for private equity investment funds.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides support to small American businesses and small –business owners across the nation through capital (loans), access to federal contracts, and counseling.
• U.S. Trade and Development Agency:  Links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project planning activities, pilot projects, and reverse trade missions.  Additionally, they help to build partnerships and relationships between U.S. companies and overseas project sponsors

Other Resources

• Uruguay – USA Chamber of Commerce: Independent, non-profit organization whose main objective is the promotion of trade and investment between the United States and Uruguay.
• Chamber of Commerce and Export of Agricultural products: Deals with the production and export of livestock and agricultural product and advises on legal, labor and tax provisions along with matters pertaining to economics and trade.
• Uruguayan Chamber of Industries: Represents the industrial sector, promotes the interests of domestic industry while defending their rights, and encourages industrial development in the country.
• Uruguayan Chamber of Information Technology: Seeks to develop and promote the Uruguayan Information Technology Industry by facilitating its growth and globalization.
• Uruguayan Chamber of Telecommunications: Strives to strengthen the bond between members, arrange new agreements between national and international parties and continue to promote the industry’s progress.
• Uruguayan National Chamber of Commerce and Services: Facilitates the protection, promotion and counseling of the private business sector nation-wide.
• Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining: Responsible for designing and implementing policies relating to the industrial, energy and mining sectors with the goal of encouraging sustainable development and social justice while promoting regional and international integration .
• Uruguayan Ministry of Economics and Finance:  Provides information about Uruguayan free trade agreements, MERCOSUR, licenses, fees, certificate of origin policies, etc.
• Uruguayan Ministry of Foreign Affairs:  Responsible for Uruguay’s international relations. Collects and provides Information about Uruguayan missions around the world.
• Union of Exporters: Provides counseling and assistance to Uruguayan exporters.
• Uruguayan Central Bank: Provides information about Uruguayan monetary policy, financial systems, statistics and studies.
• Uruguayan Rural Association: Promotes the interests of agricultural producers and industries.
• Uruguay XXI: Encourages investments and the export of goods and services in addition to working to internationalize the Uruguayan economy by attracting foreign investment and promoting trade.