DATE: Sunday, October 5, 1997               TAG: 9710040570

SECTION: BUSINESS                PAGE: D3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY CHRISTOPHER DINSMORE, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   42 lines

THE BUSINESS OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS BUSINESS

The U.S. State Department is in business. Literally.

Long perceived as indifferent, if not hostile, to American business interests abroad, the State Department now says that working for American economic interests is a first priority for its diplomats, said David Miller, a State Department official who visited with port officials Tuesday.

It's even formed an ``America Desk'' to oversee its activities on behalf of U.S. businesses abroad.

Miller met with port officials as part of the State Department's outreach activities to explain its new focus and what resources it has to help American businesses. Formally, Miller is special assistant to State's office of the special coordinator for business affairs.

``About one-third of all our economic activity is tied to trade,'' Miller said. ``Most of the economic growth we've experienced in recent years is from exports.''

The State Department wants to help U.S. businesses compete internationally.

The America Desk grew out of a U.S. Business Bill of Rights written by Lawrence Eagleburger, undersecretary of state in the Bush Administration. The concepts were reinforced by former Clinton Administration Secretary of State Warren Christopher, who established the office of the coordinator for business affairs.

The America Desk strives to do the following, Miller said:

Mainstream business issues in everything the State Department does.

Raise awareness among the various bureaus and embassies to be sure business interests are a priority.

Help businesses in problem solving abroad, from the mundane to the intractable.

Act as advocates for business interests wherever possible.

Reach out to U.S. businesses to offer State Department services and resources.

The State Department's Country Commercial Guides - annual reports on a country's economic trends and political developments that highlight commercial opportunities - are available on-line at the State Department's Web site, (www.state.gov), or by calling the America Desk at (202) 647-1625.

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