International Atomic Energy Agency

The International Atomic Energy Agency is the primary international organization that enforces a system of safeguards to ensure that non-nuclear weapons states do not divert shipments of sensitive equipment from peaceful applications to the production of nuclear weapons. Before a supplier state of nuclear materials or equipment may approve an export to a non-nuclear weapons NPT (Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty) signatory state, it must receive assurances that the recipient will place the material under IAEA safeguards. Subsequent to shipment the recipient state must allow IAEA officials to verify the legitimate end use of the exported materials or equipment. IABA, established in July 1957, gives advice and technical assistance to developing countries on nuclear power development, nuclear safety, radioactive waste management, and related efforts. Safeguards are the technical means applied by the IAEA to verify that nuclear equipment or materials are used exclusively for peaceful purposes.

International Atomic Energy List

The International Atomic Energy List is one of three lists maintained by CoCom. The AEL, comprised strictly of nuclear-related items that are also of commercial value, consists of: materials, facilities, nuclear-related equipment, and software. State, which has the lead in U.S. negotiations concerning the AEL, relies on DOE experts.

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (or World Bank) was established in 1944 to help countries reconstruct their economies after World War II. IBRD now assists developing member countries by lending to government agencies, or by guaranteeing private loans for such projects as agricultural modernization or structural development.

International Banking Facility

An International Banking Facility, IBF, is one of four categories of foreign banking in the United States. An IBF is a set of asset and liability accounts that is segregated and limited to financing international trade.

International Commodity Agreement (ICA)

An ICA is an international understanding, usually reflected in a legal instrument, relating to trade in a particular basic commodity, and based on terms negotiated and accepted by most of the countries that export and import commercially significant quantities of the commodity. Some commodity agreements (such as exists for coffee, cocoa, natural rubber, sugar, and tin) center on economic provisions intended to defend a price range for the commodity through the use of buffer stocks or export quotas or both. Other commodity agreements (such as existing agreements for jute and jute products, olive oil, and wheat) promote cooperation among producers and consumers through improved consultation, exchange of information, research and development, and export promotion.

International Communications Satellite Organization (COMSAT)

The organization (formed under a multilateral agreement that owns, maintains, and operates the global satellite system used by over 100 participating countries. COMSAT is the United States’ representative to and participant in INTELSAT.

International Congress Office (ICO)

The ICO is a U.S. Travel and Tourism Administration office that persuades international associations to select the U.S. as venues for their meetings. The ICO operates out of the American Embassy in Paris.

International Development Association (IDA)

The IDA is an affiliate of the World Bank Group that was created in 1959 to lend money to developing countries at no interest and for a long repayment period. By providing development assistance through soft loans, IDA meets the needs of many developing countries that cannot afford development loans at ordinary rates of interest and in the time span of conventional loans.

International Development Cooperation Agency

Coordinating body of all aspects of U.S. economic assistance and cooperation with LDCs. IDCA consists of three parts: AID, TDP, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). The Administrator of AID currently serves as the Acting Director of IDCA.

International Finance Corporation

The IFC was established in 1956 as a member of the World Bank Group. The 1FC promotes capital flow into private investment in developing countries.

International Freight Forwarder. See: Freight Forwarder.

International Investment. See: Foreign Direct Investment in the United States.

International Labor Organization

The ILO, set up in 1919, became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1946. The ILO seeks to promote improved working and living conditions by establishing standards that reduce social injustice.

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

The International Maritime Organization was established as a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1948. The IMO facilitates cooperation on technical matters affecting merchant shipping and traffic.

International Maritime Satellite Organization

INMARSAT is an international partnership of signatories from 62 nations. The partnership provides mobile satellite capacity to its signatories who, in turn, use the capacity to provide worldwide mobile satellite services to their maritime, aeronautical and land-mobile customers – including shipping, cruise, fishing research and offshore exploration industries, and airlines. INIVIARSAT began service in 1976. COMSAT is the U.S. signatory to INIVIARSAT.

International Market Research. See: Industry Subsector Analysis

International Market Insights

International Market Insight, IMI, reports are prepared by staff at American embassies and consulates. An IMI covers developments in a single country that are of interest to traders and investors. Topics may include: new laws, policies and procedures, new trade regulations, and marketplace changes.

International Monetary Fund

The IMF was established ml 946 to act as the banker of last resort for countries experiencing foreign exchange deficiencies, and to monitor currency exchange relationships among nations.

International Munitions List

The International Munitions List, IML, is one of three lists controlled by the 17-member Coordinating Committee on Multilateral Export controls (CoCom). The IML contains 23 categories and is similar in coverage, but less restrictive, than the U.S. Munitions List (USML).

International Standards Organization

The ISO, established in 1947, is a worldwide federation of national bodies, representing approximately 90 member countries. The scope of the ISO covers standardization in all fields except electrical and electronic engineering standards, which are the responsibility of the IBC, International Electronic Commission. Together, the ISO and the IEC form the specialized system for worldwide standardization – the world’s largest non-governmental system for voluntary industrial and technical collaboration at the international level.

International Telecommunications Satellite Organization

INTELSAT, created in 1964 under a multilateral agreement, is a nonprofit cooperative of approximately 116 countries that jointly own and operate a global communications satellite system serving the world. The system is used primarily for international communications, and by many countries for domestic communications. In 1991, the INTELSAT system comprised a network of 16 satellites in geosynchronous orbit over the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Ocean regions, with service to about 1,500 international and domestic earth station antennas.

International Telecommunications Services

These are transborder services provided via cable, radio, or satellite. These service offerings have traditionally been international message telephone service (IMTS), telex, and telegraph, but during the 1980’s have grown to include private leased lines, overseas value-added services, and international 800 services.

International Trade Administration (ITA)

The International Trade Administration is a Department of Commerce agency responsible for operating the Export Assistance Centers and offers advice on export opportunities in 18 emerging countries.

International Trade Commission

An independent U.S. Government fact-finding agency with six commissioners who review and make recommendations concerning countervailing duty and antidumping petitions submitted by U.S. industries seeking relief from imports that benefit unfair trade practices. Known as the U.S. Tariff Commission before its mandate was broadened by the Trade Act of 1974.

International Traffic in Arms Regulations

The International Traffic in Arms Regulations, ITAR, are administered by the State Department to control the export of weapons and munitions.

International Value-Added Network Services

IVANS include advanced telecommunications services, such as voice mail and electronic banking. IVANS agreements play a growing role in maintaining the competitiveness of American firms and provide benefits for consumers worldwide.

Invisibles

This refers to areas of non-merchandise “invisible trade” that include expenses such as freight and insurance and most types of services and investment.