Introduction
The International Division of the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce is committed to facilitating opportunities for local businesses in the international marketplace. In the process, our staff aims to create jobs and improve the quality of life, both domestically and abroad. Trade is an important engine of economic growth and a major emphasis of our work.

Through the process of promoting trade, the City works with many regional partners to stimulate economic development in the region and promote direct investment and international trade. We encourage you to take advantage of our services to help expand your business globally. If your business grows, it is a success story for the region and further enhances our already vibrant economy. To learn more about our international programs and services, contact the Department of Commerce at (215) 683-2040.

Philadelphia Trade Office
Thinking of exporting your products or services? Have so much information available that you do not know where to begin? Ready to export? Need to find services that will help you to establish strong, reliable business relationships? The Philadelphia Trade Office can answer these questions and more.

The Philadelphia Trade Office offers technical assistance to businesses seeking expansion globally. Whether you are new to exports or seeking additional international prospects or expansion through investments into new markets, the Philadelphia Trade Office can make your job easier.

Trade Office staff can assist to identify:

• Best markets
• Trade leads
• New buyers
• Investment opportunities
• Financing 
• Promotion of inbound and outbound trade missions
• Assist in direct foreign investment
 
The Philadelphia Trade Office enhances its services through a number of partnerships, including other governmental export providers, business chambers, business councils, and trade offices. In addition, the Office organizes and promotes seminars and workshops on the specifics of exporting, federal trade programs and initiatives, and export-market opportunities.  For more information on services and assistance, please contact (215) 683-2040 or email philatradeoffice@phila.gov.

Diplomatic and Consulate Affairs
Philadelphia has always been an international city. In 1880, the first Consular Corps Association in the nation was formed in Philadelphia. Today the city continues to host many consuls representing countries across the globe, making Philadelphia an excellent location for corporations seeking economic and commercial partnerships abroad. The Department of Commerce also oversees diplomatic affairs and hosts foreign dignitaries when they visit Philadelphia. Outreach activities to the diplomatic community include participating in and planning international events for dignitaries and responding to government and public inquiries for diplomatic visits. For more information, please contact us or call (215) 683-2127.

Export Financing
The Department of Commerce, through its partnership with the Export- Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank), offers financial assistance to small to medium-sized firms in more than 140 countries. Ex-Im Bank is the official export credit agency of the U.S. government offering financing opportunities worldwide, whose mission is to support U.S. jobs through exports. Its trade financing support enables U.S. companies to successfully compete in the international marketplace through the use of export loans, guarantees, and credit insurance.

International Visitors Council
The International Visitors Council (IVC) of Philadelphia is a private, non-profit organization that is the "door" to the greater Philadelphia community for guests of the U.S. Government. Through its programs and services, IVC promotes democracy, free enterprise, international trade and educational exchanges.

IVC links businesses and institutions with hundreds of rising and established leaders each year. IVC is a volunteer-based ‘citizen diplomacy’ organization whose network of volunteers was nominated for the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. They administer the U. S. State Department’s leadership exchange programs (since 1954), and the City of Philadelphia's Sister Cities Program (since 1997). IVC arranges the local itineraries and 'American experiences' for hundreds of delegations annually. They identify experts in various fields to meet with the guests; develop relationships for academic, cultural, civic and business institutions; and help prevent future wars by making friends with the world’s new leaders.

Sister Cities
The City of Philadelphia has Sister City relationships and Partnership City relationships in a variety of different countries located in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The goal of the Sister City and Partnership City programs is to promote the City of Philadelphia abroad through business, cultural, and educational exchanges. The program focuses on promoting economic ties while strengthening cultural understanding. By building friendships between the people and governments of Philadelphia and our Sister Cities, we educate our children about the world and its diverse people, we strengthen our economies through business alliances, and we promote nation-building through government-to-government exchanges. The International Visitors Council (IVC) of Philadelphia administers the Sister City and Partnership City programs on behalf of the City of Philadelphia.