HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                      3887

(VI)  ASSISTING, WHERE APPROPRIATE, IN OBTAINING
EXPORT RELATED FINANCING THROUGH THE MARYLAND INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT FINANCING AUTHORITY AND OTHER FEDERAL, LOCAL, OR
PRIVATE PROGRAMS; AND

(VII)  CHANNELING TRADE LEADS AND PROVIDING A
LIST OF PRESCREENED FOREIGN INTERMEDIARIES.

(2)  ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE THE PARTICIPATION BY
MARYLAND BUSINESSES IN BARTER AND COUNTER TRADE TRANSACTIONS AND
JOINT VENTURE TRANSACTIONS, WHERE APPROPRIATE, BY:

(I)  PROVIDING INFORMATIONAL AND CONSULTATIVE
SERVICES ON, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS, LAWS,
AND REGULATIONS INVOLVED IN BARTER AND JOINT VENTURE TRANSACTION
THESE TRANSACTIONS;

(II)  FACILITATING THE COMMERCIAL RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN THE MARYLAND BUSINESS AND COUNTERPART FOREIGN BUSINESS
INVOLVED IN THESE TRANSACTIONS; AND

(III)  PROVIDING, IN COOPERATION WITH THE
PRIVATE SECTOR, A LISTING OF POTENTIAL BARTER AND JOINT VENTURE
OPPORTUNITIES.

(3)  COORDINATE ITS PROGRAMS WITH THE DEPARTMENTS OF
AGRICULTURE AND TRANSPORTATION, THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, AND
OTHER APPROPRIATE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND PRIVATE AGENCIES AND
ORGANIZATIONS.

(4)  ASSUME LEAD AGENCY STATUS WITH RESPECT TO THE
MAINTENANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF SISTER-STATE RELATIONSHIPS.

(5)  ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE REGIONAL EFFORTS TO
DEVELOP LOCAL AND REGIONAL INTERNATIONAL TRADE PROGRAMS AND
EXPERTISE, CONSISTENT WITH STATE EFFORTS, THROUGH TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE AND USE OF MATCHING GRANTS TO PUBLIC OR PRIVATE
REGIONAL ENTITIES CONSISTING OF 2 OR MORE COUNTIES, INCLUDING
BALTIMORE CITY.

(6)  PARTICIPATE, WHERE APPROPRIATE, AND IN
CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER UNITS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, AND ANY
OTHER STATE AGENCIES OR DEPARTMENTS, IN MARYLAND OVERSEAS OFFICES
TO PROVIDE INFORMATIONAL AND MARKETING SERVICES TO SUPPORT
INTERNATIONAL TRADE EFFORTS OF THE OFFICE.

(7)  ASSIST LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND OTHER ENTITIES IN
THE MARKETING AND DEVELOPMENT OF FOREIGN TRADE ZONES FOR
INTERNATIONAL TRADE.

(8)  ENGAGE IN ANY OTHER ACTIVITY REASONABLY NECESSARY
TO ACHIEVE THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION.