Trade Commissioner is a government official stationed in a foreign country and usually subordinate in rank to a commercial attaché but with similar duties. They support firms from one country with accessing business opportunities in the international marketplace. He is an official appointed by a country in some foreign country to promote and represent there in the commercial interests of his own land. The title Trade Commissioner is also used by some international organizations for the senior official responsible for trade. They provide strategic leadership with regards to developing new opportunities for business and must be able to build strong relationships within the international business community.
Trade commissioner is the title of a government official whose primary duties are to promote international trade agreements and export trade programs on behalf of a national or regional government authority. The Trade Commissioner Services helps companies that are looking to export, invest abroad, attract investment abroad, or develop innovation and R&D partnerships. The success of your trade or investment mission depends on the quality of your partnership with the Trade Commissioner at the post to be visited. When the partnership works well, the mission is more successful and our mutual clients – the business participants on the mission – will be more successful in achieving their objectives.
Typical Job Duties
- Ensure the business development team is focused on areas of high growth for domestic businesses
- Work with key domestic companies in relevant international markets across various sectors
- Develop an annual business plan to deliver against the regional strategy
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with stakeholders and potential business partners
- Work closely with other departments to deliver on growth objectives for domestic businesses
The Trade Commissioner will manage the logistical arrangements and substantive input for your mission in the foreign market. He or she will perform some of that work directly and will supervise other work performed by local contractors. While the Trade Commissioner Service has adopted a standardized, world-wide approach to the management of trade and investment missions, special circumstances may require a different approach.
