Finding an overseas partner to expand your business overseas can be an expensive and daunting task, however, it does not have to be. 

There are already many resources in place by the federal government, state governments and other organizations that provides businesses of all sizes with a wealth of assistance to find overseas partners and expand their businesses overseas at low cost.

Take advantage of these resources and find good overseas partners to expand your business.

 

Organization Description
Food Export Association of The Midwest Food Export - Midwest and Food Export - Northeast provide opportunities for U.S. companies to meet foreign buyers without traveling overseas.
Global Consulting Network The Global Consulting Network (GCN) is a worldwide group of business development, competitive intelligence, and market analysis consulting firms. Member firms offer customized services to companies that seek to expand their markets, establish business partnerships, better understand local markets and capitalize on global business opportunities.
Illinois Dept of Commerce Trade Missions & Programs This organization helps provide small and medium-sized businesses with financial and technical assistance, including the opportunity to participate in Group Trade Missions and Individual Foreign Market Sales Missions. These programs help Illinois businesses engage with foreign buyers, agents, distributors and/or joint-venture partners.
International Business Intermediates (IBI) IBI provides business matchmaking services for businesses that are looking for overseas partners.?????
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Game Connection is a B-to-B event held in Europe, Asia, and in the U.S. Top professionals in the game industry gather to meet key decision makers and identify new partnerships and business deals. JETRO arranges and facilitates business meetings between Japanese game developers and interested game publishing partners.
Kentucky Export Initiative (KEI) The KEI partnership is experienced in business matchmaking for Kentucky companies interested in locating international partners. Matchmaking can be done on an individual basis or as a part of targeted trade missions.
LAVA IP International Lava IP International offers a leading international business matchmaking service that has been described as “best in class” for companies that are looking for local partners in new international markets.
Maine International Trade Center By becoming a member with the Main International Trade Center you can gain access to business matchmaking, networking and referrals to find overseas partners.
Mississippi International Trade Programs & Services The division's trade specialists provide international business assistance - including educational, marketing and referral services - to small- and medium-sized companies looking to sell their products and services internationally.
Oklahoma Department of Commerce The Oklahoma Department of Commerce maintains International Trade Offices (ITOs) in China, Israel (Middle East), and Mexico to assist the state’s businesses and communities in developing export opportunities by working with pre-qualified companies to help them sell their products and services and identify specific buyers.
Tacoma World Trade Centers Association Tacoma World Trade Centers Association is a membership based organization that provides business matchmaking, trade research, and referral among other services.
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Division The U.S. Commercial Service’s Gold Key business matchmaking service does exactly that. The Gold Key Service is a cost-recovery fee based, customized matchmaking service, which enables U.S. companies to find an ideal overseas distributor or business representative. The Gold Key is provided through your local U.S Export Assistance Center which works with the U.S. Embassy in the country of interest.
U.S. Dept of Commerce International Buyer Program (IBP) The IBP is a joint government-industry effort that brings thousands of international buyers to the United States for business-to-business matchmaking with U.S. firms exhibiting at major industry trade shows.
U.S. Dept of Commerce Export.gov Trade Leads Database The Export.gov Trade Leads Database contains pre-screened, time-sensitive leads and Government Tenders gathered through U.S. Commercial Service offices around the world. You can search leads and receive notification when new leads are posted.
U.S. Dept of Commerce Export.gov Platinum Key Service The service is solution-oriented and tailored to the client's needs through a mutually agreed upon scope of work. Services provided includes: Identify the best export markets; Locate valuable market research; Develop the most appropriate market entry strategy; Identify prospective agents, distributors, licensees, and other business partners; Develop marketing and selling strategies; Understand the regulatory and product standards in your target markets.
U.S. Dept of Commerce Export.gov The U.S. Commercial Service helps U.S. companies find new international business partners in worldwide markets.
US Embassies Select a region then a country and select on the "BUSINESS" link and from the drop down menu click on "Doing Business in Countryname".  It will provide a wealth of information and a link to find a Trade Specialist near you. 
SC ASIA-America Chamber of Commerce SCAACC matches potential investors and business owners from Asia with companies in South Carolina for investment and business opportunities. These groups get to meet “face-to-face” in S.C.
U.S. International Trade Administration Whether you’re looking to make your first export sale or expand to additional international markets, the U.S. Commercial Service offers the trade counseling, market intelligence, business matchmaking, and commercial diplomacy you need to connect with lucrative business opportunities.
World Trade Center Wiscon The World Trade Center Wisconsin, World Trade Centers Association, and network of World Trade Centers are here to facilitate your international business activities — from anywhere on the globe. One of the key values of World Trade Center membership is the benefit of personal introductions anywhere in the world.


Pre-Qualify Prospects

You may have found an overseas candidate to partner with on your own, but before you start doing business with them do your homework to ensure that they are legitimate partners.  You can use the resources listed below to check on any potential partnering candidates.
Organization Description
International Risk and Payment Review Before you do business in another country you should consider obtaining a report from D&B.  D&B provides a 7-page country report that informs you on the risk, trade terms, transfer situation, economic indicators, etc.
The Million Dollar Database This is a database by D&B that provides data on over 34 million businesses in over 200 countries.
Experian International Reports Experian provides business credit information on companies from 225 countries.  Use these resource to learn more about the companies you are consider partnering with.
International Company Profile (ICP) ICP provides international credit status reports on companies from all regions in the world.