GTN HISTORY

It all started in 1994, when the GTN was created as a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) program to assist U.S companies to establish export business relationships with foreign firms, specifically in developing countries and emerging markets, in four business sectors (agriculture, health care, telecommunication, and energy and environment).

In 2002, GTN, managed by the International Executive Service Corps (www.iesc.org), had the internet-based platform (www.usgtn.net) revised and up-dated to further encourage trade between companies located in the United States and foreign firms, utilizing the internet as a tool. At that time the reach of the program was expanded to all business sectors and added import to export. Since its inception, the GTN has also built an extensive network of local trade consultants, innovative service providers, federal and state agencies, foreign consulates and embassies, U.S. and foreign-based Chambers of Commerce, all brought together for one single purpose: to make companies more productive by encouraging them to participate in international markets.

GTN's accomplishments have been recognized with an award in 2003 in Computerworld's "Search for New Heroes" Honors Program., presented by Bill Gates of the Microsoft Corporation. Computerworld is an organization composed of leading CEO's, universities, and institutions in the information technology sector.

Since January 1, 2004, when USAID stopped funding the GTN program, and until February 5, 2007, the platform had been supported by International Business Linkages, LLC, IBL. (www.iblinc.us). IBL provides software solutions and business services designed to assist companies to more effectively compete on a global scale.

As of February 6, 2007, the GTN platform is hosted by Internet Distribution Services (service.com), providers of cost-effective solutions for sales, marketing and customer service.


CURRENT STATUS

GTN TODAY,
your EXPERT link
to EXPORTING FROM THE U.S. and IMPORTING TO THE U.S. assistance

As of February 6, 2007, in order to provide hands-on assistance to companies desiring to enter the international market place as exporters, or needing assistance with their efforts in exporting their goods and/or services, GTN has been re-positioned as a gateway to the U.S. Department of Commerce's U.S. Commercial Service (www.export.gov or 800-USA-TRADE). The U.S. Commercial Service, the premier global export business solutions provider of the U.S. Government, is dedicated to helping U.S. companies succeed internationally. Through a global network of approximately 1800 trade specialists working in 109 domestic offices and in 80 markets worldwide, the Commercial Service helps U.S. companies make international sales with world-class market research, trade events that promote their products or services to qualified buyers, introductions to qualified buyers and distributors, and counseling through every step of the export process. Through a formal arrangement with the U.S Department of State, Commercial Service maintains Commercial Diplomacy Partnerships in 100 medium and small markets worldwide. To access the U.S. Commercial Service for assistance EXPORTING FROM THE U.S., click here.

To access GTN for assistance IMPORTING TO THE U.S., click here.