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Business Outreach and Commercial Diplomacy

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The Office of Commercial and Business Affairs (CBA) is the State Department’s gateway for American businesses overseas. Our mission is to engage U.S. government resources to assist and advocate for U.S. business interests abroad, strengthen intellectual property enforcement, promote a vibrant ecosystem for entrepreneurship and innovation, and ensure U.S. private sector concerns are integrated into our foreign and economic policy.

1/3 Mario Bollini delivers remarks. Bollini is Cofounder and Chief Technology Officer at GRIT (Global Research Innovation and Technology, Inc.), developer of the GRIT Freedom Chair, a rugged, off-road wheelchair that won the USPTO Patents for Humanity award in 2015.
Mario Bollini delivers remarks. Bollini is Cofounder and Chief Technology Officer at GRIT (Global Research Innovation and Technology, Inc.), developer of the GRIT Freedom Chair, a rugged, off-road wheelchair that won the USPTO Patents for Humanity award in 2015.
State Dept Image / Apr 26, 2017 / Washington, DC
2/3 Tobie Hatfield, Senior Director of Athlete Innovations and Explorations for Nike, describes the award-winning FlyEase shoe designed for athletes of all kinds--including the physically handicapped.
Tobie Hatfield, Senior Director of Athlete Innovations and Explorations for Nike, describes the award-winning FlyEase shoe designed for athletes of all kinds--including the physically handicapped.
State Dept Image / Apr 26, 2017 / Washington, DC
3/3 IPE hosted a World IP Day "Lunch and Learn" expert panel for State Economic and Commercial Officers.
IPE hosted a World IP Day "Lunch and Learn" expert panel for State Economic and Commercial Officers.
State Dept Image / Apr 26, 2017 / Washington, DC

Commercial Diplomacy:
CBA serves as the focal point for the Department's outreach to the U.S. business community and has primary responsibility in the Department for developing, analyzing, and coordinating efforts to vigorously support and facilitate U.S. business interests abroad. Working closely with the Department's regional bureaus, other U.S. Government agencies, and with Congress to promote support for U.S. businesses abroad, CBA provides assistance to U.S. firms seeking help with business problems abroad by coordinating the Department's advocacy efforts on behalf of U.S. companies, connecting American firms to resources at U.S. embassies, and identifying commercial information and market opportunities for the U.S. business community.

Entrepreneurship:
At the direction of the Secretary of State, CBA works closely with the White House, the Department's regional and functional bureaus, other U.S. government agencies, and the private sector to lead the Department's efforts to promote entrepreneurship worldwide. The Global Entrepreneurship Program (GEP) housed within CBA advances entrepreneurship promotion abroad by promoting programmatic partnerships with U.S. embassies to promote new potential programs. GEP also plays a key role in planning, organizing, and implementing the U.S. government's Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), which aims to showcase inspiring entrepreneurs and investors from around the world creating new opportunities for investment, partnership, and collaboration.

Intellectual Property Enforcement:
The Office of International Intellectual Property Enforcement (IPE), serving under the purview of CBA, develops, executes, and supports broad initiatives designed to strengthen intellectual property rights. Working closely with other U.S. Government agencies, overseas posts, and the U.S. private sector, IPE advocates for the effective protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights around the world and seeks to address and resolve trade disputes relating to intellectual property protection and enforcement. IPE works to ensure U.S. firms have free and fair access to foreign markets and that our trading partners apply laws and regulations openly and transparently.