Regional trade associations launch new export market access program.

Four regional trade associations have launched a new Market Access Program (MAP) that helps U.S. suppliers gain insight and direct feedback from importers in targeted markets.

The four associations - Eastern U.S. Agricultural and Food Export Council, Inc. (EUSAFEC), Mid-America International

Agri-Trade Council (MIATCO), Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) and Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) - are nonprofit organizations made up of various state departments of agriculture working together to promote U.S. agricultural exports worldwide.

The MAP is the latest addition to their arsenal of trade promotion programs aimed at helping U.S. companies beat the competition in world markets.

The program offers step-by-step guidelines that allow a food company to gauge its potential for success within a particular foreign country's market structure.

Currently the program is available for five markets: Mexico, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. The program provides the support and logistics U.S. food companies need to get their products into one of these markets.

Using the program, companies can:

* determine if products similar to theirs are already on store shelves in the market and, if they are, obtain product details and samples;

* learn the country's regulations about labeling and importing their product;

* put samples of their product into the hands of potential buyers; and

* obtain assistance in setting up meetings with potential importers and visiting markets.

Tim Hamilton, MIATCO executive director, says that the MAP also prompts U.S. companies to establish and solidify their foreign import, distribution and retail food industry contacts through product qualification and trade development activities.

"In this program we cooperate with in-country contacts who are familiar with local food markets and import requirements. These people help manage export contracts and facilitate distribution of U.S. products," Hamilton explained. "They also provide feedback that can be an invaluable factor in smart exporting decisions."

In-market representatives can also help exporters planning to visit countries to follow up on what they learned from the MAP. With their market knowledge, expertise and on-the-ground contacts, these representatives can assist in making hotel arrangements, provide introductory market briefings, schedule appointments with appropriate importers and distributors and set up other trade meetings.