Expanding trade relations.

• Author: Hodel, Max
• Position: Alaska's Office of International Trade - Access the World

The mission of Alaska's Office of International Trade (OIT) is to develop, promote and expand trade with all nations. At the present time, particular emphasis is given to trade relations with Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Canada, China and the emerging Russian markets.

In 1993, OIT's headquarters was shifted from Alaska to Japan in order to more firmly direct our overseas efforts and assure trading partners of our commitment to their markets. Currently, in addition to the Tokyo office, OIT maintains offices in Seoul and Anchorage, as well as honorary representatives in Taiwan and several Russian Far East regions.

The activities of OIT are part of the overall economic development goals of the state to increase employment in Alaska and to diversify its economic base. As part of its role in this effort, OIT develops and maintains key foreign contacts in industry, government and academia. Opportunities for export and direct foreign investment in Alaska are identified, evaluated and fostered by the state's international trade staff. OIT provides trade assistance and information to individual Alaska and foreign companies seeking products, services or investment opportunities.

Alaska as a resource storehouse will always be an exporter state.

Natural gas and oil are key components of Alaska's resource and export portfolio. Asia's increasing demand for energy far beyond its current supply has improved the opportunity for exports. Gas will be the premium fuel for the first half of the 21st century. OIT has made this a prime initiative, concentrating on the Asian markets of Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China.

With new technology making coal more environmentally friendly, this asset will emerge in the years ahead as a key energy source. And there are still other mineral and metal resources to be tapped.

Seafood -- like timber -- offers serious challenges, but also great opportunities. While OIT is not the lead agency in marketing seafood, we work closely with other state offices and private industry to ensure our salmon and other seafood maintains market share in Japan.

But there is much OIT can and does do beyond resource development and promotion. Areas ranging from tourism to the service industry, from transportation to technology offer a number of opportunities to broaden Alaska's presence in the international market place.

One notable...