University of South Carolina Libraries

General International Business Information:

Business Culture - Provides country reports on business customs, etiquette, cross-cultural communication, proper gifts, negotiating tactics, business culture, manners, business entertainment, etc. There is a small fee for most reports.
CIA World Factbook - Provides country profiles that include country maps as well as information about the geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues of countries. The site is provided by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Country Briefing - Collection of country news, profiles, forecasts, and statistics provided by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The country profiles contains economic indicators over the four years in a downloadable excel spreadsheet. All information pieces are free unless denoted with a red "E."
Country Studies - Country studies that provides a description of the history, social, economic, political, and national security systems/institutions of lesser known areas of the world. The original studies were published in print by the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress under the Country Studies/Area Handbook Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Army.
Geographic Background Notes - Country background notes on people, history, government, political conditions, economy, foreign relations, U.S. relations, and travel/business provided by the U.S. Department of State.
GlobalEdge Resource Desk - International Business directory maintained by the Michigan State University - Center for International Business Education and Research (MSU-CIBER). The provides links to journals/publications, country information, statistical data, trade portals, trade leads, company directories, etc.
Global Financial Data - Fee-based database of historical and current financial and economic data worldwide. The site provides some free data file samples such as commodity prices, Dow Jones Industrials Average, and others.
Infonation - Database that allows users to compare statistical data about the economy, environment, health, and technology of the member states of the United Nations.
International Business Resources - Guide to international business print and electronic resources provided by the Davis Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
International Chamber of Commerce - Homepage of the International Chamber of Commerce, the world business organization. The site provides policy statements, guidelines, codes, and rules for business practices in advertising/marketing, business law, e-commerce, the environment, intellectual property, etc.
International Finance Corporation (IFC) - Homepage of the International Finance Corporation, which promotes private sector investment in developing countries. The site provides information about investment regions/industry sectors, projects/policies, and the impact of direct foreign investment.
International Inter-governmental Organization Web Page Finder - Directory of international inter-governmental organizations (IGOs) sites including the United Nations, European Union, the World Trade Organization, etc. compiled by Dr. Robert Williams of the University of South Carolina at the College of Library and Information Science.
Internationalist - Directory of international business links arranged by country as well as subject categories. The site provides international banks, law firms, consultants stock markets, real estate, import/export, business schools, etc.
Market Research Library - Provided by the US Commercial Service, searchable by country or region. Use drop-down menu to obtain commercial country guide, best market reports or market research reports. *Registration is required; reports are free. Thank you!
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) - Homepage of the OECD, an international organization that helps governments face the economic, social, and governance challenges of a globalized economy. The site provides publications and statistics on economic/social issues, macroeconomics, trade, education, development, and science/innovation.
Public Services International Research Unit - Database of information on the economic, political, financial, social, and technical experience with privatizations of public services worldwide. The site focuses on water, energy, waste management, and healthcare. The site is provided by the School of Computing and Mathematics, University of Greenwich.
Site by Site Global and Domestic Investment Information - International investment portal that provides research, daily market data, news, economics research, analysis, and commentary.
World Chamber of Commerce Directory - Gateway to chambers of commerce around the world.
World Chambers Network - Directory of chambers of commerce and industry. The site provides economic and trade information, customs information, and country reports.
Worldwide Governments on the WWW - Directory of government sites around the world arranged by country.

Africa:

African Development Bank Group - Homepage of the African Development Bank, a multinational development bank that helps combat poverty through promotes economic development and social progress. The site provides loan/grant statistics about development projects as well as strategies, policies, and guidelines on development topics such as agriculture, energy, good governance, industry, urban development, etc.
AllAfrica - Directory of African news and information. The site is available in both English and French.
MBendi Information for Africa - Africa's business website that provides links and information on countries, industries, companies, organizations, business opportunities, international trade, trade leads, stock exchanges, etc.
Tradepage - Gateway to South African industry, trade/commerce, products, services, imports, exports, and business opportunities.
United Nation's Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) - Homepage of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the branch of the UN that supports the economic and social development of Africa, fosters regional integration, and promotes international cooperation for Africa?s development. The site information provides social and economic development projects in Africa as well as links to sites for further information on topics including gender issues in Africa, food security and sustainable development,information technology (IT), and more.

Asia:

Asian Development Bank - Homepage of the Asian Development Bank, a multilateral development finance institution that fosters economic development to reduce poverty in Asia and the Pacific. The site provides information about economic development projects/opportunities by topic, financial resources available for development projects, and economic statistics.
Business in Asia - Source of information about doing business in Asia including tips for starting a business in Asia, guidelines for financing, country profiles, etc. The site is provided by Runckel and Associates, an international business consulting firm based in the U.S. that helps U.S. and Asian companies open new markets, expand sales, and develop business relationships.

Brazil:

Brazil Biz - Business-to-business directory for businesses in Brazil arranged by product/service. The site is provided in English and Portuguese.
Brazilian Embassy in Washington - Homepage of the Brazilian Embassy in Washington that provides information about foreign policy, the economy, environment, human rights, trade/investment, science/technology, tourism, etc. of Brazil. The site also provides information about the activities of the Brazilian Embassy in the United States and links to Brazilian institutions.
Central Bank of Brazil - Homepage of the Central Bank of Brazil, the government agency that works to maintain the stability of the purchasing power of the Brazilian currency. The site provides financial/payment system, economic/financial time series data, inflation reports, etc.
Latin Focus - Directory of links to government sources, economic forecasts, market analysis, economic performance analysis, political risk assessments, and financial market developments for the countries in Latin America. The site also provides companies, central banks, stock exchanges, finance institutions, and statistical institutions in each country. The site is provided in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Latin Trade - Online version of Latin Trade magazine that provides free full-text access to the current issue of the magazine. The site provides lists of the top mergers/acquisitions, CEOs, banks, pension funds, and companies as well as an international business directory, trade leads, and an economic forecast map for the Latin American countries. The site is provided in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

China:

Business China - Online resource of China business information including a directory of products/companies arranged by industry, stock exchange data, a guide to investment in China, a directory of foreign products/companies in or willing to go to China, etc.
Business in China Net - Source of information about doing business in China including a country profile, economic data, business hours, making business contacts, corporate structure, etc. The site is provided by Runckel and Associates, an international business consulting firm based in the U.S. that helps U.S. and Asian companies open new markets, expand sales, and develop business relationships.
China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) - Homepage of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade of the China Chamber of International Commerce, which promotes foreign trade in China. The site provides news about China, Chinese trade laws/regulations, links to other sites about business in China, and information about China's economy, foreign commodities, technology trade/service trade, foreign investment, intellectual property rights, settlement disputes, and living/working conditions. The site also provides Chinese statistics including population, wages, employment, investment, production, industry, etc.
China Embassy in U.S. - Homepage of the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. that provides information about the China-U.S. relations, economy/trade in China, Chinese human rights issues, Chinese religious beliefs, and the Taiwan issue as well as links to other China information sites.
China Development Gateway - Portal to online information sources about China arranged by subjects including trade, the economy, agriculture, industry, society, the environment, technology, and education. The primarily provides economic development and poverty relief information and news.
China Internet Information Center - Source that provides news about China, Chinese government position papers, and information about Chinese history, politics, economics and culture.
Chinese Business World - Directory links related to business in China arranged by subjects including products, companies, investment, travel, shopping, online magazines, etc.
Expats in China - Directory of online sources and information about China including information about life, education, food, health care, housing, religion, shopping, sports, transportation, culture, arts, government, etc. in China.
Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) - Homepage of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the statutory organization of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region that promotes Hong Kong's trade in goods and services. The site provides a database of business contacts in Asia as well as information about trade/economy of the Chinese mainland, trade/economy of Hong Kong, the Chinese stock market, exchange rates, etc. Most of the information on the site is free, and the site is available in English, Chinese, French, German , Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
United States-China Business Council - Homepage of the United States-China Business Council, the principal organization of US companies engaged in trade and investment in the People's Republic of China. The site provides Chinese trade, investment, and economic statistics as well as analyses of the U.S.-China balance of trade, China's economy, foreign investment in China, and China's foreign trade.

Germany:

Business in Germany Infoguide - Provides information, facts, and figures about the German states as well as information about Germany's business climate in a European and global context, a guide to corporate taxes in Germany, and information about the labor law in Germany. The site also contains links to the industrial sector, infrastructure, taxation/legislation, market data, and research/development.
Germany Info - Homepage of the German Embassy in Washington, D.C., which provides information about visas, passports, and other consular matters as well as information for traveling, studying, and working in Germany. The site also provides information about German culture/life, education/research, business/technology, and government/politics.
Made in Germany - German business portal that provides company directories, facts, figures, history, culture, news, links to other German sites, etc.

France:

Bank of France - Homepage of the Bank of France, which provides banking and financial information, monetary statistics, international banking statistics, and information about bank notes.
Business in Europe-Expanding Your European Business from France - Provides a guide to the economic environment of business in France, a directory of local business organizations, and practical guides about investing or doing business in France.
France Way - Directory of sites and information about culture, history, facts, figures, and travel in France.
French American Chamber of Commerce - Homepage of the French American Chamber of Commerce in Paris, a private association that helps French and U.S. corporations conduct business overseas. The site provides information about doing business with France for U.S. corporations, doing business in the U.S. for French enterprises, living conditions in both countries, business opportunities in both countries, etc.
French Embassy in the U.S. - The site is part of a network of French Embassies and Consulates' websites operated by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and provides information about French foreign policy and French-American relations. The site also provides the society, economy, culture, defense, etc. of France.
Paris Anglo - Directory and search engine of websites about French communications, credit cards, health centers, restaurants, recreation, shopping, relocation agencies, hotels, schools, etc.

Japan:

Bank of Japan - Homepage of the Bank of Japan, maintains price stability and ensures the stability of the financial system. The site provides information about Japan's monetary policy, financial/payment system, currency/exchange rates, lending rates, etc. The site is available in English and Japanese.
Business in Japan Net - Source of information about doing business in Japan including a country profile, economic data, business hours, making business contacts, corporate structure, etc. The site is provided by Runckel and Associates, an international business consulting firm based in the U.S. that helps U.S. and Asian companies open new markets, expand sales, and develop business relationships.
Development Bank of Japan - Homepage of the Development Bank of Japan that provides information about investing in Japan such as foreign direct investment programs, bond investor strategies, capital spending surveys, economic trend studies, etc.
Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Homepage of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the central organization in Japan that all Japanese city chambers of commerce belong to. The site provides information about international trade opportunities, Japanese companies seeking foreign trading partners, and foreign companies seeking Japanese trading partners.
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) - Homepage of the Japan External Trade Organization, which collects and provides information about doing business with Japan. The site provides information about the Japanese market, a Japan trade directory, guides to exporting to Japan, facts on U.S.-Japanese economic relations, etc.
Japan Information Network - Directory of online Japan information and sites arranged by subjects such as population, government, business, science, arts, history, education, culture, etc.
Japan Times - Online version of the Japan Times newspaper that provides free full-text access to articles from 1999-the present.
Japanese Patent Office - Homepage of the Japanese Patent Office that provides information about industrial property rights, property rights policies, and patent statistics in Japan. The site is available in English and Japanese.
J Guide - Guide to online Japan information resources provided and maintained by Stanford University's US-Asia Technology Management Center. The site is part of the WWW Virtual Library and provides links information sites about Japanese art, business, education, government, law, society, etc.
Nagoya Stock Exchange - Homepage of the Nagoya Stock Exchange The site is available in English and Japanese.
Nikkei Net Interactive - Source of business news, market data and the latest stock information from Tokyo. The site provides a searchable directory of corporate web sites in the Asia-Pacific region, economic statistics, industry reports, and news/information on major stock indices, government bonds, and foreign exchange markets. The site is subscription-based service, but users can register for a free trial.
Statistics Bureau and Statistics Center of Japan - Homepage of the Statistics Bureau and Statistics Center of Japan that provides population, labor, income, economic, financial, housing, retail, etc. statistical data for Japan. The site is available in English and Japanese.
Tokyo Stock Exchange - Homepage of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, which provides information about publicly traded companies, stocks, bonds, indices, market data, and investment statistics in Japan. The site is available in English and Japanese.