Current State:
The establishment of sales offices is one strategy that international companies employ as their initial method to enter into the U.S. market. This allows foreign-owned companies to gauge the U.S. market with the least amount of financial risk.

Issues Facing Virginia:
• Many foreign-owned companies inquire about establishing a sales office in Virginia, requesting assistance in such areas as accounting, legal, market research, logistics, etc. Virginia has no formal programmatic response.

• Such providers in Virginia could benefit from the establishment of Sales Offices, but are often unaware of such inquiries.

Task Force Goals:
• Develop a network of Virginia resources that can meet the unique needs of an international company setting up a sales office in the United States.

• Develop a process to refer qualifying companies to a network of service providers that can assist in the establishment of sales offices in Virginia.

Illustrating the Value:
Virginia's geographic location makes it an attractive point of entry for foreign companies who want to establish a business presence in the United States. Creating a business-friendly environment for international companies who start with a sales office, builds on that appeal. If a company is "born" in Virginia, it is likely to grow in Virginia.

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