iF October DIGITAL September-October 2020 | Page 23

musi Igambi
DIRECTOR, US COMMERCIAL SERVICES IN HOUSTON
interview BY VAL THOMPSON FOR IF MAGAZINE
Val: First tell me a little about your
background leading up to working for
the US Commercial Service.
Director Igambi: I am a public servant
at heart. Prior to joining the U.S.
Commercial Service, I worked at the
State of Texas Department of Economic
Development (now the Economic
Division of the Governor’s Office) in
Austin and Mexico City, promoting
exports and tourism. In addition to my
time working at the Texas Department
of Economic Development in Mexico
City, I had further exposure to international
trade through two Rotary International
scholarships to Argentina and
Australia.
Val: What does the US Commercial
Services do in Houston?
Director Igambi: The U.S. Commercial
Service (CS) is the trade promotion
arm of the U.S. Department
of Commerce’s International Trade
Administration, offering companies a
full range of expertise in international
trade. We assist companies domestically
in more than 100 CS offices in
the United States and internationally
in more than 70 countries around the
globe. CS provides expert assistance in
export counseling, market intelligence,
business matchmaking and advocacy
for U.S. companies seeking to expand
their products and services globally.
Val: Do you have a team of trade specialists,
and if so, how many are there?
Director Igambi: The Houston
office is home to four seasoned trade
experts, each servicing energy industry
clients in specific geographic territories
of the Greater Houston area, as well as
an additional sector such as healthcare,
advanced manufacturing, aerospace/
aviation, agribusiness and more. We are
also fortunate to have a resident Commercial
Officer providing additional
expertise while on domestic assignment.
Among the trade specialists at CS
Houston office are the leaders of our
organization’s Global Teams for energy
and advanced manufacturing. Our
global teams serve internal and external
stakeholders by providing industry and
regional resources such as market intelligence,
trade leads and events.
Val: Is your office considered regional?
And if so, what area falls under your
jurisdiction?
Director Igambi: CS Houston
serves U.S. exporters and trade promotion
partners in more than 30 counties
in Southeast Texas. We work in tandem
with our colleagues in CS offices covering
other cities in Texas, in other U.S.
states, and in embassies and consulates
around the world.
Val: What advantages does the citizen
of Houston have by your office being
located here?
Director Igambi: Through us, businesses
in the Greater Houston have
access to a network of local, state and
federal resources and the commercial
connections of US embassies and consulates
around the world. The way we
look at it, we are located “where you
are and where you want to be.” Houston
companies can work with a member
of their own community to expand
their business to new markets and work
through their exporting needs.
Val: What special services and or products
does the US Commercial Services
offer Houstonians?
Director Igambi: We have several
programs and services to provide customized
solutions for U.S. exporters. As
part of the national effort for economic
recovery and growth, many businesses
can qualify for free or reduced fees for
CS services through the end of this fiscal
year. Interested companies should
contact our office to connect with a
trade specialist to discuss which program
or service can help them meet
their export objectives.
Val: Where are you located and how
can our readers find out more about
the US Commercial Services?
Director Igambi: Our main office
is in downtown Houston and we have
a satellite office at the Houston West
Chamber of Commerce. For more information,
visit our website at https://
www.trade.gov/texas-houston
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