Selling an Idea or a Product

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Andrew Colburn, BISNIS U.S. Department of
Commerce BISNIS A Resource for U.S. Companies
exploring export and investment opportunities in
Russia and Eurasia www.bisnis.doc.gov
(English) www.bisnis-eurasia.org (???
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• HOW CAN WE HELP?
• Market Information, Leads, Referrals, Counseling,
  In-Country Support
• BISNIS
• U.S. Commercial Service
• Understanding and Identifying Financing Options
• Customs Clearance Certification

www.bisnis.doc.gov
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• BISNIS Overview
• U.S. Department of Commerce program since 1992
• BISNIS Mission Facilitate U.S.-Eurasia
  commercial collaboration and success
• U.S. and Eurasia-based Trade Specialists
• 7 Trade Specialists in Washington, D.C.
• 15 Offices Across Eurasia
• Expertise in
• All Eurasian Countries Russian regions
• Most Promising Industry Sectors and Issues
• Local business needs and available resources

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BISNIS/USFCS in Eurasia
U.S. Department of Commerce Info for Eurasian
companies www.bisnis-eurasia.org Info for U.S.
companies www.bisnis.doc.gov
Western NIS Kyiv, Ukraine Chisinau, Moldova
Russian Federation St. Petersburg Moscow Nizhny
Novgorod Samara Yekaterinburg Novosibirsk Tomsk
Khabarovsk Vladivostok Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
Caucasus Baku, Azerbaijan Yerevan,
Armenia Tbilisi, Georgia
Central Asia Tashkent, Uzbekistan Bishkek,
Kyrgyzstan Astana, Kazakhstan Dushanbe,
Tajikistan
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Market Size- 275 Million
Belarus 11m
Ukraine 51 m
Moldova 4m
Russia 145 m
Georgia 5 m
Armenia 3m
Azerbaijan 7m
Kazakhstan 17m
Turkmenistan 4m
Tajikistan 4 m
Uzbekistan 26 m
Over 4 billion in US-Eurasia results since 1992
Kyrgyzstan 4 m
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BISNIS SERVICES Business development support
for U.S. exports and investment in Eurasia

• Market Analysis
• www.bisnis.doc.gov
• Customized Email Updates
• Consultations/guidance
• Referrals to USG and other Resources
• Leads Programs
• Partner Leads Search for Partners
• Export Leads Trades Tenders
• BISNIS Finance Link
• BISNIS ExpoLink Eurasia
• Bimonthly Newsletter (BISNIS Bulletin)

(all BISNIS services are free)

• Market Analysis
• Country Info
• Industry Info
• Leads
• Events
• Finance
• Resources

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• Key Challenges for Doing Business in Eurasia

• Corruption
• Administrative barriers
• Selective interpretation of laws
• Inadequate and inconsistent legislation
• Protection of IPR
• Conflicts between the state and business
• Unfair competition by local companies

www.bisnis.doc.gov
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• Basic Precautions The Key to Success

• Do research and choose partners carefully (due
  diligence)
• Prepare your expectations and take nothing for
  granted
• Build relationships with key personnel on the
  ground
• Details (take care of them, or have them taken
  care of)
• Find reliable professional assistance
  (registering, banking, accounting, taxes, opening
  the office, personnel, security)
• Get reliable translator/interpreter translate
  your materials
• Know where to go for help

www.bisnis.doc.gov
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Finding Financing - U.S. Government sources
www.bisnis.doc.gov
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• CUSTOMS AND CERTIFICATION
• Customs Corner Web Page
• Import duties, VAT rates, and other practical
  info
• http//bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/customs.cfm
• BISNIS 2004 Customs Survey
• Comprehensive reports from 10 countries on all
  aspects of clearing customs www.bisnis.doc.gov/bis
  nis/customs_report.cfm
• BISNIS 2005 Certification Survey
• Detailed reports on the product certification
  process in nine Eurasian countries
  http//bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/cert_report.cfm

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Getting Started in Eurasia 1. Take advantage of
the unique knowledge and positioning of the U.S.
Embassies and BISNIS/US FCS in the region 2.
Becoming involved with the Amchams and other
business associations (in-country source of
support, information, advocacy) AND 3.
Washington D.C. based membership organizations
(USRBC, AUCC, USKBC, USACC, others)
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• CONTACT INFORMATION
• Direct tel [phone]
• Gen. Tel [phone] or [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• E-mail Andrew.Colburn_at_mail.doc.gov
• Gen. e-mail bisnis_at_ita.doc.gov
• www.bisnis.doc.gov (English)
• www.bisnis-eurasia.gov (Russian)