196/Maryland Manual

kering seminars on policies and programs affecting
international commerce. Seminars and conferences
sponsored by the Office include a series of quarterly-
seminars on export strategies, methods of payment
and finance, documentation, and federal export
controls.

With the cooperation of the federal government,
local governments, and trade organizations, the
Office organizes overseas trade missions, trade fairs,
and promotional events and encourages Maryland
businesses to participate in these events. It also
supports foreign buyer missions and sister-state
relationships. Additionally, the Office helps Mary-
land businesses to obtain export-related financing
through the Maryland Industrial Development fi-
nancing Authority (MIDFA) (Code 1957, Art.
83A, sec. 2-107).

STATE TRADE POUCT COUNCIL

Chairperson:
Melvin A. Steinberg, Lieutenant Governor

Appointed by Governor: Daniel R. Baker, 1989;
William J. Detweiler, 1989; W. Griffin Morrel, Jr.,
1989; Richard H. White, 1989; Roland Darcey,
1990; Stuart Greenberg, 1990; Parris N.
Glendening, 1991; Donald G. Hammen, 1991;
four vacancies.

Ex officio: Wayne A. Cawley, Jr., Secretary of
Agriculture; J. Randall Evans, Secretary of Economic
& Employment Development; Richard H. Trainor,
Secretary of Transportation; John S. Toll, Chancellor,
University of Maryland System; LoRee P. Silloway,
U.S. Dept. of Commerce; John A. Pica, Jr., State
Senate; Tyras S. Athey, House of Delegates.

World Trade Center, Suite 752
401 E. Pratt St.
Baltimore, MD 21202 333-4295

Established in 1985, the State Trade Policy
Council advises the Governor and General Assem-
bly on the State's role in international commerce
(Chapter 119, Acts of 1985). The Council recom-
mends programs or strategies to enhance
Maryland's international trade.

State and local programs designed to promote
or assist international trade are evaluated by the
Council, which also assesses and recommends
changes in federal trade programs. The Council
fosters coordination and communication between
public entities and the private sector engaged in
international trade. Annually, it sponsors a confer-
ence on international trade.

The Council consists of twenty-five members.
Eighteen are appointed to four-year terms by the
Governor. They represent local government, the
business community, agriculture, labor, interna-
tional trade professionals, and the public. Seven

serve as ex officio voting members. They include the
Secretaries of Agriculture, Economic and Employ-
ment Development, and Transportation; the Chan-
cellor of the University of Maryland System; a
representative of the Baltimore office of the U.S.
Department of Commerce; and two members of
the General Assembly, one nominated by the Senate
President and one by the House Speaker. A member
of the Governor's Cabinet is designated to serve as
chairperson (Code 1957, Art. 83A, sec. 2-108).

SISTER STATES PROGRAM
Contact: Harold R. Zassenhaus

World Trade Center, Suite 752
401 E. Pratt St.
Baltimore, MD 21202 333-4295

The Sister States Program is based on special
formal agreements between Maryland and states or
provinces in other countries to stimulate the ex-
change of trade and of cultural, educational and
scientific information. Maryland presently has three
sister states: Nord Pas de Calais in France,
Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan, and Anhui Province
in the People's Republic of China.

OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT

Thomas Buser, Manager

World Trade Center, Suite 752
401 E. Pratt St.
Baltimore, MD 21202 333-8195

Formed by the Department in 1988, the Office
of International Business Development works with
international businesses considering investment in
Maryland.

FINANCING PROGRAMS

Shirley Diamond, Assistant Secretary

217 E. Redwood St.
Baltimore, MD 21202 333-6932

The Assistant Secretary for Financing Programs
is responsible for six programs: Maryland Industrial
and Commercial Redevelopment Fund; Maryland
Industrial Land Act Program; Maryland Industrial
Development Financing Authority; Maryland
Small Business Development financing Authority;
Day Care Financing Program; and the Community
Development Block Grant/Economic Develop-
ment Program.