Who We Are
The Granite State District Export Council is a private, non-profit organization, whose members are appointed for four year terms by the Secretary of Commerce, which brings together experienced international business people who provide support, advice, and assistance to New Hampshire companies interested in entering into or expanding into international markets.
For more information and to see a DEC member listing, click below.
We Help New Hampshire Companies in the Following Ways
- Provide counsel & advice to New Hampshire companies interested in exporting for the first time or expanding international markets
- Identify sources for export financing & insurance for New Hampshire exporters
- Foster & promote greater awareness of the economic impact & benefits to New Hampshire companies and business organizations
- Identify tariff & non-tariff barriers that keep New Hampshire products and services from selling into international regions or markets
- Provide constructive ideas/comments to U.S. Government officials and Congressional representatives on leveling the playing field for New Hampshire companies overseas
- Support the programs and services of the New Hampshire U.S. Export Assistance Center
- Expand local export assistance partnerships with New Hampshire State Government and business organizations
- Promote international education & awareness at all education levels and institution throughout the State of New Hampshire
About District Export Councils
The District Export Councils (DECs) contribute leadership and international trade expertise to complement the U.S. Commercial Service’s export promotion efforts through counseling businesses on the exporting process and conducting trade education and community outreach.
Closely affiliated with the Commerce Department’s U.S. Export Assistance Centers, the DECs combine the energies of nearly 1,500 exporters and export service providers who support the U.S. Government’s export promotion efforts throughout the country!
Learn more about the Granite State DEC by joining the LinkedIn Group: Granite State Export Exchange
What is a DEC and what is its Mission?
DECs are organizations of leaders from the local business community, appointed by successive Secretaries of Commerce, whose knowledge of international business provides a source of professional advice for local firms.
The Mission of the Granite State DEC is to encourage and support exports that strengthen local business, stimulate economic growth and create jobs. It participates in business expansion activities by working with the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service offices and its export promotion partners at the State and community level to support greater export activity within New Hampshire. This is accomplished by developing a “hands-on” business-centered trade assistance network that compliments existing counseling.
How Does the DEC Support its Mission?
DECs support their mission through funds that are generated locally, without any government appropriations, and follow the general guidelines in the DEC Handbook. DECs may not raise funds for profit, or represent the U.S. Government.
The Granite State DEC has agreed upon the following objectives to support its Mission:
- To develop a strong Granite State DEC membership with diverse knowledge and expertise in the realm of exporting that compliments the counseling available through Federal and State export assistance.
- To make those in the local business community not using Federal and State export assistance aware of their full range of counseling and services.
- To educate and assist the community in matters related to exporting, especially nuanced subjects that can only be obtained through first-hand experiences and international travel.
- To undertake fundraising activities in order to sustain and grow the promotional and support activities of the DEC and invest in further export promotion efforts and opportunities.
- To use DEC funds as direct company grants to include, but not limited to, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service and State of NH export promotion services and activities.
- To secure Federal, State of NH and other funding sources to support the export promotion activities of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service.
How Were DECs Formed?
In 1960, the President asked the Secretary of Commerce to enlist the efforts of the U.S. business community in enlarging export opportunities for American firms. Responding to this challenge, the National Export Expansion Council was formed.
In response to National Export Expansion Council recommendations and to stimulate greater business participation in the national export expansion effort, the President signed an Executive Order in 1973 that directed the Secretary of Commerce to establish District Export Councils throughout the United States.
Under the Secretary’s guidelines, the District Export Councils were specifically created to promote exports in their local communities. DECs are not advisory committees and are not subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). As a volunteer group, DECs do not receive government appropriations or compensation. They also do not have access to classified information and therefore, do not have security clearances.