Trade Promotion

The FTA International Public Transportation Program (IPTP) works to promote increased exports of U.S. transit goods and services by conducting:  

• Trade Missions – The IPTP coordinates overseas visits for industry executives to countries that offer significant market potential.  These trade missions led by the FTA offer unparalleled access to foreign buyers and decision makers. 
• Reverse trade missions – The IPTP organizes tours in the U.S. for foreign transit delegations to gain first hand knowledge of U.S. technologies and best practices. Itineraries may include visits to manufacturers, suppliers, transit agencies and other stakeholders.                                                  
• International tenders listing – The IPTP seeks to enhance U.S. participation in the global transit marketplace by informing manufacturers and suppliers about contract opportunities overseas.  International transit procurement opportunities are identified and published twice a month.
• Market Research - The IPTP conducts surveys, fact-finding missions, and other research to target areas of high market potential for U.S. transit goods and services.
• Other trade promotion activities – The IPTP provides assistance to U.S. companies participating at international expos and conferences.

Recent Trade Promotion Activities

• FTA Assists APTA with International Planning for 2011 APTA EXPO, New Orleans, LA, October 3 – 5.  APTA'S EXPO is public transportation’s premier showcase of technology, products and services.  FTA is working with APTA to develop an expanded agenda at the EXPO for U.S. companies interested in exporting to learn more about foreign market opportunities.  Representatives from the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service Offices in Mexico, Brazil, China and India have been invited to speak at Spotlight sessions about upcoming procurements where U.S. goods and services can be most competitive.   FTA is also working with APTA and its contractor to increase attendance at the EXPO by foreign buyers.
• China Urban Transportation Business Roundtable, Shenzhen.   In December 2010, FTA and APTA sponsored the Urban Transportation Business Roundtable in Shenzhen, China.  This event brought together public and private industry leaders from the U.S. and China to discuss opportunities for business partnerships and trade.   The Roundtable was held in conjunction with the U.S.-China Transportation Forum.
• U.S. Firms Join Deputy Administrator McMillan at Urban Mobility India Conference and Expo, New Delhi, India.  In December 2010, Deputy Administrator Therese McMillan was invited to speak at the Urban Mobility India Conference in New Delhi, India.  FTA extended an invitation to U.S. firms to attend the Conference and Expo.  A small delegation of U.S. firms participated and met with over 300 transit agency officials at the Expo. Following the meeting, the delegates joined Ms. McMillan in meetings with the Minister of Urban Development, the Honorable Mr. Jaipal Reddy and the Managing Director of the Delhi Metro, Dr. E. Sreedharan. 
• First Virtual Trade Mission to Brazil Launched, More Planned for 2011.  In collaboration with APTA and the U.S. Dept of Commerce, the IPTP is developing a series of “Virtual Trade Missions. “  These Webinars, referred to as Virtual Trade Missions, give U.S. companies interested in expanding their businesses overseas, information about future transportation projects, tender opportunities and how to track projects in foreign markets, all without incurring travel costs.  The Webinars will be hosted by the FTA and APTA and will feature speakers from the U.S. Commercial Services in-country, the foreign Ministry of Transport and transportation agencies.
• UITP World Expo and Trade Event, Vienna Austria, June 2009.  The IPTP, APTA and the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service in Vienna conducted a trade mission as part of the International Association of Public Transport “Mobility and City Transport” Exhibition in Vienna, Austria.  The trade mission provided business matchmaking, market information and networking relating to business opportunities in public transportation in Central and Eastern Europe.