WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                    Ch. 311

(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[.];

(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[.]; AND

(8)  Engage in any other activity reasonably necessary
to achieve the purposes of this section.

(c) (1) The Office shall have the personnel and funding as
provided in the State budget. The Secretary [of Economic and
Community Development], in consultation with the Secretary of
Personnel, shall establish those positions, technical or
professional in nature, that shall be unclassified.

(2) The Office has authority to contract or make
grants consistent with the purposes of this section. All
contracts and grants shall be subject to the approval of the
Secretary [of Economic and Community Development] or the
Secretary's designee. Procurements for services or supplies to
be performed or delivered outside the State shall be consistent
with, but not subject to, the purposes or requirements of the
State Finance and Procurement Article.

[11-208.] 2-108.

(a) There is a State Trade Policy Council established to:

(1) Advise the Governor and the General Assembly on
policies concerning the State's role in international trade,

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