Platinum Key Service (PKS) is a new pilot service beginning November 1, 2000. At the present time it is offered only for the following 15 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey.

Objective

To help companies navigate the increasingly complex international marketplace, the Platinum Key Service offers U.S. Commercial Service clients a more comprehensive, customized way to achieve their business goals through long-term, sustained support. The service is solution-oriented and tailored to the client's needs through a mutually agreed upon scope of work.

Price

The service is currently available in 15 pilot countries (from November 2000 to September 2001). The service will be priced according to specific formulas that allow the individual overseas Commercial Service offices to either set a fixed fee for all clients or to set charges according to the expected work outlined in the individual Scope of Work contract.

Platinum Key Service Overview

Through the Platinum Key Service, U.S. businesses can attain customized support from overseas commercial officers and specialists on a range of issues in which the company needs longer-term, sustained assistance. Working with overseas personnel, clients identify specific requirements, which constitute the "scope of work" for the service provided, and establish a timeframe for completion of the service (typically six months to a year). Assistance provided through the service can include a range of issues that relate to achieving one or more complex business goals or objectives. The issues can include but are not limited to identifying markets, launching products, developing major project opportunities and providing government tender support, helping to reduce market access barriers, and assistance on regulatory or technical standards matters.

Delivery Time

Ongoing service for six months, one year, or a specified time frame based on a mutually agreed-upon scope of work.

U.S. Commercial Service Quality Assurances

The Commercial Service assures that:

• Overseas commercial officers and specialists will work closely with the client to design a strategy to meet the client's specific needs;
• Commercial specialists will fully apprise the client of the work that is being performed, including regular progress reports as outlined in the scope of work;
• Commercial specialists have a complete understanding of the client's product and/or service and understand clearly the client's market goals and objectives;
• Commercial specialists will serve as the company's point-of-contact and oversee the timely delivery of the service; and
• All requirements identified in the scope of work are met.

Client Responsibilities

Clients are responsible for:

• Clearly articulating the matter and/or issue on which they need assistance, including communication of a reasonable timeframe within which the work must be completed;
• Providing all written or other background material that is necessary for the overseas commercial officers and specialists to complete the agreed-upon scope of work;
• Providing timely updates as needed to meet the agreed-upon objectives of the scope of work;
• Timely following up on recommendations that have been made and business opportunities that have been identified.

Please contact your local trade specialist if any of these quality assurances have not been met.