The information in this publication has been prepared to help you maneuver through the nuances of competing in global markets. The 117 countries are alphabetically arranged within five regional sections:

REGION ONE: North and South America

REGION TWO: Europe

REGION THREE: Asia and The Pacific Rim

REGION FOUR: Middle East

REGION FIVE: Sub-Saharan Africa

Information for each specific country chapter is organized in the following manner:

Business Organizations: This section discusses some of the common business entities that can be established by foreign investors. In most cases, we include a discussion of the advantages, and disadvantages, of establishing a particular business presence.

Exporting: In this section, we discuss some of the issues relating to foreign intermediaries and sales agents and distributors. Where applicable, we discuss working within the existing distribution infrastructure. Information covering import restrictions, duties/tariffs and documentation requirements is also provided.

Commercial Policies: Free-trade zones can be advantageous to a company operating in global markets. This section will tell you where they are, and what benefits can be derived from operating in such areas. Additionally, exchange controls can have a significant financial impact on a company's balance sheet. The remittances of profits, revenues and currency conversion issues

are covered in this section.

Foreign Investment: Making an investment in a foreign market almost always entails complying with local rules and regulations. This section explains how a foreign government views direct investment, on an industry-specific basis. Within this section we also discuss various incentives that may be provided to encourage investments in "priority" industries or regions.

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): As in the case in domestic operations, it is important to protect copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, industrial designs and other forms of intellectual property. This section will include a discussion on how foreign products/services are protected, and what relevant international IPR conventions may be in effect.

Taxation: Conducting international business and making a profit generally entails paying taxes. This section includes information on corporate tax rates and issues, as well as personal and product/service taxes. If applicable, relevant tax treaties are also discussed in this section.

Regulatory Agencies: Certain government authorities are responsible for regulating the business environment in their respective country. While this section is not "all inclusive," we have provided some of the more important authorities you should consider contacting before making a significant investment.

Useful Contacts: U.S. embassies abroad and foreign embassies in the United States can be valuable sources of next-step information. We have provided contact information for these (and in many cases, other) offices where you can go to receive additional country-specific information.

While it would be an exaggeration to suggest that this publication is all inclusive, every effort has been made to discuss relevant business practices. In the event a specific-country chapter does not follow this format, it is generally because no information is currently available. For example, some less developed countries have no official position regarding the establishment of business organizations. In these circumstances, we recommend you contact a relevant country-specific specialist.