role of commercial officers in trade offices abroad

Role of Commercial Officers in Foreign Missions : 

Role of Commercial Officers in Foreign Missions Presentation by Rana Shehzad Ahmad

Outline of Presentation : 

Outline of Presentation Introduction Importance of Commercial Relations Role of Commercial Officers Job Description of a Commercial Officer Actions of Commercial Officers Other Assignments Conclusion

Importance of Commercial Relations in the New World Economic Order : 

Importance of Commercial Relations in the New World Economic Order Globalization (Liberalization of Import / Investment Regimes) Raw material for manufacturing. Fuel and other natural resource requirements for development. Technical assistance requirements. ODA requirements. Cooperation at multilateral fora.

Role of Commercial Officers in Foreign Missions : 

Role of Commercial Officers in Foreign Missions Multiple roles varying from Export Promotion to other Economic Cooperation Issues. Broadly speaking there are two distinct areas in bilateral relations:1) Political.2) Commercial / Economic.

Job Description of a Commercial Officer : 

Job Description of a Commercial Officer To increase foreign exchange earnings of Pakistan through promoting and facilitating expansion of Pakistan’s visible and invisible exports to the post territory. Enhance Pakistan’s reputation as reliable trading partner. Develop favourable commercial relations between trading enterprises in Pakistan and the post territory. Ensure that relevant Government bodies, commercial organizations and Pakistani export community have up-to-date knowledge of trading conditions and export prospects and opportunities in the post territory. Seek out and create opportunities for Pakistan’s exportable goods and services and to ensure that concerned parties are quickly informed of the opportunities identified.

Job Description …. Contd : 

Job Description …. Contd Assist Pakistani exporters to exploit fully these opportunities through the provision of advice and support to specific export initiatives. Collection and interpretation of economic, commercial and trade information relevant to trade policy and export strategy and dissemination of such information to appropriate organizations and enterprises in Pakistan. Processing of trade inquiries originating in Pakistan and the post territory and provision of assistance to the private sector, semi-government export enterprises in Pakistan and establishing contacts in the post territory in appointing local agents / representatives and in following up export opportunities and prospects. Maintenance of cordial relations with Government officials and members of business community of the post territory.

Job Description …. Contd : 

Job Description …. Contd Assistance in settlement of trade disputes. Assistance in procurement of imported supplies. Market surveys for identification of export opportunities for Pakistani products in the post territory. Contacts with importers, chain stores etc.

A good commercial officer should have the following abilities : 

A good commercial officer should have the following abilities Analytical, marketing and negotiation skills. Strong communication abilities. Knowledge of Pakistani products (especially exportable ones) and their strengths and weaknesses. Working knowledge of the language of the post territory. Knowledge of trade practices and regulatory framework. Good understanding of Pakistan’s macroeconomic framework. Working knowledge of finance and accounts. Personal attributes such as integrity, emotional resilience, interpersonal skills and sociability. Representational attributes (including of spouse). Preferably, a sound academic background in Economics/ Commerce/ Business Administration.

Actions of Commercial Officers : 

Actions of Commercial Officers Analysis of trade & economic policies of country of accreditation. Identification of competitors / their strategies for trade promotion. Periodic reporting to the capital.

Special Market Survey : 

Special Market Survey Market survey will help local exporter to explore opportunities emanating out of the country of accreditation along with consumer preferences, requirements, specification sizes, marketing mechanism, distribution channels etc.

Participation in Trade Fairs / Delegations : 

Participation in Trade Fairs / Delegations Among marketing tools, the most important are participation in international trade fairs and by sending trade delegations.

Analysis of Import Regime Affecting Trade in Country of Accreditation : 

Analysis of Import Regime Affecting Trade in Country of Accreditation Standards (TBT) SPS (Sanitary & Phytosanitary Standards). Other non-tariff measures (TRQs, VERs). Advantages through FTA/GSP schemes to competitors.

Other Assignments : 

Other Assignments Liaise with local Exim Bank. Export Insurance Corporation. ODA offering agencies (rescheduling of loans etc). Support at OECD meetings/ World Bank / IMF / improvement of country rating. Education. Labour if there is no Community Welfare Attaché. Defence against trade remedy measures e.g. antidumping, countervailing and safeguard measures.

Thank You : 

Thank You