Commercial agents and distributors represent a formidable sales channel in a foreign country. We have discussed topics like how to appoint commercial agent and distributors, tips on evaluation, points to cover in sales contract etc. in an earlier issue of FAIDA.

In this article, we discuss sources of information on agents and distributors. As shown in earlier issue, associations form a vital role and we shall start our discussion with one of the largest association of agents - International Union of Commercial Agents and Brokers (IUCAB)

Founded in 1953, the membership of IUCAB today consists of 17 national associations of independent commercial agents (manufacturers' representatives) and brokers throughout the European Union and the United States of America. Through IUCAB, the interests of approximately 470,000 individual commercial agency firms are represented. These commercial agency firms generate a business turnover of approximately US$ 1530 billion throughout Europe and North America.

International Union of Commercial Agents and 
Brokers (I U C A B) 
Mr J.W.B. baron van Till 
Secretary General 
De Lairessestraat 158, 
1075 HM Amsterdam, 
The Netherlands 
Tel: +31 204700177 
Telefax: +31 206710974 
Email: info@iucab.nl 
Home: http://www.iucab.nl       
  

National Associations

AUSTRIA

Bundesgremium der selbständigen 
Handelsvertreter und 
Vermittler
P.O. Box 440
1045 VIENNA
Tel : +43 1 501053322
Fax: +43 1 50206287
Email: bggr6@wkoesk.wk.or.at 

BELGIUM

Union Belge des Agents Commerciaux Indépendants, 
dÁgents
Bancaires et dÁssurances Indépendants, 
Concessioonnaires et Courtiers. (UBAC)            

Belgische Unie van Verenigingen van Zelfstandige 
Handelsagenten, 
van Zelfstandige Bank-en Verzekeringsagenten, 
Concessiehouders en Makelaars.(BUVH)    
Rue du Tournois 43
1190 BRUSSELS
Tel : +32 23444545
Fax: +32 23430243
Email: ubac@skynet.be 

CYPRUS

Cyprus Commercial Representatives Association (CCRA)    
P.O. Box 21455
1509 NICOSIA
Tel : +357 2889760
Fax: +357 2667593

DENMARK

Association of Commercial Agents of Denmark (DAF)               
Børsen
1217 COPENHAGEN-K
Tel : +45 33950500
Fax: +45 33950644
Email: denmark@commercial-agents.dk 
Home: http//www.commercial-agents.dk

FINLAND

Finnish Foreign Trade Agents' Federation (FFTAF)        
Elimaenkatu 29
00510 HELSINKI
Tel : +358 986831650
Fax: +358 986831651
Email: fftaf@agenttiliitto.fi 

GERMANY

Centralvereinigung Deutscher Wirtschafts-verbände 
für Handels-vermittlung und Vertrieb (CDH)  
Am Weidendamm 1 A
10117 Berlin
Tel : +49 030/72625-600
Fax: +49 030/72625-699
Email: Centralvereinigung@cdh.de 
Home: http//www.cdh.de

NETHERLANDS

Verbond van Nederlandse Tussenpersonen (VNT)
Postbus 74773
1070 BT AMSTERDAM
Tel : +31 203016301
Fax: +31 203016333
Email: info@vnt.org 
Home: http://www.vnt.org

NORWAY

The Fed. of  Norwegian Commercial Agents (NAL)
C/o HSH
P.O. Box 2302, Solli
0201 OSLO
Tel : +47 22541700
Fax: +47 22561700
Email: h.thrap-meyer@hsh-org.no 
Home: http://www.agentforeningen.com

SWITZERLAND

Verband Kaufmännischer Agenten der Schweiz (VKAS)
Ackersteinstr. 164
8049 ZÜRICH
Tel : +41 013401888
Fax: +41 013417894
Email: info@vka.ch 
Home: http://www.vka.ch

This is a partial list - a longer list is available at http://www.infobanc.com/agents.htm We constantly research for new sources of information on buyers, markets, sales channels, trade promotion organizations etc. throughout the world and develop relationship with associations, trade points, chambers of commerce etc. for sharing of trade information.