FOREIGN TRADERS INDEX (FTI)

INTRODUCTION

FTI is a subset of NTDB (National Trade Data Bank) which now appears on its own disk along with other directories and programs of interest to those in overseas trade.

The following are examples of programs on the disk. For a complete list of programs, see the back of this sheet.

Foreign Traders Index--a directory of importers, agents, government agencies, banks, associations and others in foreign countries who have an interest in dealing with U.S. companies

Export Yellow Pages--a directory of 12,000 U.S. companies who produce goods for export or provide services for exporting companies

Previous Trade Opportunity Program Leads--a guide to trade leads gathered from U.S. embassies around the world. Leads are from private companies or governments who have expressed an interest in representing US suppliers, bartering for goods/services, selling goods in the US, distributing US goods, forming joint ventures, buying US products and more. Includes how to respond to leads.


GETTING STARTED

FTI is currently on the Government and Business workstation. Exit the NTDB program in order to access it. At the main menu screen, type 2. (Note: it is not possible to move from NTDB to FTI without exiting NTDB first.)

BROWSE SEARCHING IN FTI

Move through the program as you would in NTDB. (See separate NTDB handout for more information.) As in NTDB, each program has its own set of searchable fields or attributes. Examples:

Foreign Traders Index: COUNTRY, SIZE (large, medium, small according to number of employees), PRODUCT (name or commodity code number), TEXT, TITLE

Export Yellow Pages: COMMODITY, COMPANY TYPE (broad categories such as banking, exporting), STATE, TEXT, TITLE

Previous Trade Opportunity Program Leads: COUNTRY, COMMODITY, DATE (of lead), LEAD TYPE (private, governmental, etc.), TEXT, TITLE




					SAMPLE FTI SEARCHES

SEARCH #1: How can I find US exporters of sausages?

Method A:

1. At primary selection menu choose SUBJECT.

2. Type sausages when word list appears.

3. The result should be two listings. Highlight, mark and view each entry (Press ENTER, then F3.)

4. Note that one entry is from Foreign Traders Index and is not a US exporter. The other is from Export Yellow Pages and is a US firm.

Method B:

1. At primary selection menu, choose PROGRAM.

2. Select Export Yellow Pages program.

3. Choose to search by COMMODITY.

4. Type sausages.

5. Notice that there are several listings for various types of sausages. Sometimes sausage is used, sometimes sausages. All should be US firms.

SEARCH #2: How can I find potential business contacts in Algeria?

1. For many countries, it would be logical to select PROGRAM, then
	Foreign Traders Index. You can then search by COUNTRY. In this case, there are no entries for Algeria.

2. Another method is to choose SUBJECT at the primary selection menu. Then type Algeria. This time there are 11 listings. These come from the Previous Trade Opportunity Programs Leads. The initial list indicates whether the leads from governmental or private operations. Mark and press F3 to view individual listings. The listings give good descriptions of potential business associations.



PROGRAMS ON FOREIGN TRADERS INDEX
AS OF
(Check disk for latest information)


Prepared by Elizabeth Zuelke, Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, 6/94