Washington State is one of the country’s major export hubs, exporting nearly $80 billion in goods annually. The Department of Commerce offers businesses an experienced trade team that provides a range of support services, including advocacy, consulting, risk mitigation, market research, trade missions and trade show support, business matchmaking and custom programs, all designed to help Washington companies open doors to trade overseas and increase sales.
The Export Assistance Team within Commerce’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness has helped businesses statewide expand into trade or increase their exports and sales overseas. Over the last four years, the OEDC has assisted 5,296 small businesses, generating an additional $705.5 million in additional sales to international customers.
Services
- Advocacy: If you run into any roadblocks with your exports, our trade experts can help you convey the importance of exporting and international trade and help you overcome any obstacles along the way, such as problems with shipping documentation, customs, logistics, visas, etc.
- Consulting: We can help you create an exporting plan, clarify international trade law issues, find an interpreter, and introduce you to foreign representatives and buyers to generate new international sales.
- Risk Mitigation: Entering a new market, even for an experienced exporter, can be complex. Our Export Finance Assistance Center can help you research your trading partners and customers to ensure they are credit worthy and sort out currency exchange and payment terms and issues.
- Market Research: Want to expand into a new market with exports but not sure whether it makes sense or not? We can help you analyze markets so that you can develop and execute your exports plan with complete confidence.
- Financing: Our team can assist you identifying financing options and connect you with potential state, federal and private resources.
- Business Matchmaking: No need to spend endless hours and fruitless phone calls trying to reach the right person for your exports. Our trade experts conduct numerous business matchmaking opportunities, whether as part of a state trade mission or trade show, pre-requested buyer introduction, or an inbound visit by a foreign trade delegation or organization.
Programs
Export Voucher Program
Build My Export Plan
Resources
Commerce’s expanded network of 10 in-country consultants is now at work over 20 target regions. Working with our own trade and business development team, we’re raising Washington state’s profile and helping small businesses develop and grow through new markets and global partnerships.
Canada
- $310 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
- $6.28 billion exported from Washington in 2020
- Export opportunities for WA companies include: agriculture, aerospace and defense, education and training, automotive, ICT, clean technology, medical devices, mining, travel and tourism
Mexico
- $235 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
- $1.282 billion exported from Washington in 2020
- Export opportunities for WA companies include: agriculture; agribusiness; auto parts and services; aerospace; education services; energy; environmental technology; franchising; housing and construction; packaging equipment; plastics and resins; security and safety equipment and services; information technology; transportation infrastructure equipment and services; and travel and tourism services
Brazil
- $49.36 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
- $203.8 million exported from Washington in 2020
- Export opportunities for WA companies include: energy; infrastructure; health; chemicals; defense and aviation; telecom; information and communications technology (ICT); education; franchising; and fintech
Europe
(UK, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands)
- $468 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2019, plus $109.2 billion export to the UK in 2020
- $2.8 billion exported from Washington in 2020, plus $1.48 billion export to the UK in 2020
- Export opportunities for WA companies include: aircraft and parts, ICT, optical and medical instruments, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, clean technology, maritime industry, education and training, electric vehicles and autonomous technologies, and fintech
Isreal
- $20.1 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2019
- $250 million exported from Washington in 2020
- Export opportunities for WA companies include: aircraft and parts, agriculture, optical and medical instruments, advanced manufacturing, ICT, clean technology
U.A.E.
- $14.7 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
- $460 million exported from Washington in 2020
- Export opportunities for WA companies include: Aerospace, aviation; cleantech and environmental technologies; Defense; Design and construction; Digital and information communications technologies; Healthcare and life sciences; Oil and gas; Renewable energy; Space
India
- $44.8 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
- $731 million exported from Washington in 2020
- Export opportunities for WA companies include: Civil Aviation; Defense; Education; Energy; Environmental Technologies; Food and Agriculture Value Chain; Healthcare; Information & Communication Technology; Mining; Safety and Security
China
- $165.4 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
- $9.1 billion exported from Washington in 2020
- Export opportunities for WA companies include: agriculture, aircraft and parts, optical and medical instruments, advanced manufacturing, ICT, clean technology, maritime industry
South Korea
- $51.7 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
- $1.916 billion exported from Washington in 2020
- Export opportunities for WA companies include: agriculture, aircraft and parts, clean technology, maritime industry, optical and medical instruments, advanced manufacturing
Japan
- $102 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
- $4.8 billion exported from Washington in 2020
- Export opportunities for WA companies include: aircraft and parts, agriculture, cloud computing, cybersecurity, defense procurement, health IT, liquefied natural gas, nuclear decommissioning, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, semiconductors, travel and tourism
Taiwan
- $30.4 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
- $1.36 billion exported from Washington in 2020
- Export opportunities for WA companies include: aerospace and defense, agriculture, education, electric power equipment and energy, machinery and tools, medical devices, telecommunications equipment, and travel and tourism
Australia/New Zealand
- $38.5 billion (Australia) and $10.8 billion (New Zealand) of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
- $621.8 million exported from Washington in 2020
- Export opportunities for WA companies include: defense, aircraft and parts, automotive parts, building products, cloud computing, medical equipment, mining equipment, oil and gas equipment, smart grid technology, recreational marine transportation, cosmetics, ICT, healthcare, and travel and tourism
Southeast Asia
(Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam)
- $75.54 billion of total exports from the U.S. in 2020
- $4.09 billion exported from Washington in 2020
- Export opportunities for WA companies include: healthcare and medtech, education, telecom, financial services, aircraft maintenance and repair, energy, defense, ICT, agriculture
The Washington State Department of Commerce, Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness office in downtown Seattle recruits volunteer interns on an ongoing basis. We ask that interns volunteer 10-20 hours per week, for a minimum term of three months.
Ideal candidates will be in their junior or senior year in college with a 3.3 GPA or higher, or have recently completed their degree, or be enrolled in a Master’s degree program.
In general, we look for responsible, reliable candidates who can work independently and have a genuine interest in international affairs, economic development, investment and trade. We value research and writing skills, Microsoft Office suite proficiency, critical thinking, foreign language capabilities, and diversity.
- Ability to work independently
- Attention to detail
- Experience organizing events
- Writing experience, especially on a newspaper or newsletter
- Database, Excel, PowerPoint proficiency
Examples of duties/projects include:
- Assisting with Business Development activities and events
- Researching industries, business trends, incentives, investment statistics, workforce data
- Writing briefs and other content
- PowerPoint presentations, and related research
- Assisting on specific projects
- Quality control
Past interns have gone on to work with consulting firms, economic development agencies and international organizations.
To apply, please fill out the application form and press send. Then separately, email your cover letter and resume to Intern@Commerce.wa.gov.