AgLink establishes the initial link between small and medium-sized U.S. businesses and comparable overseas businesses by identifying appropriate matching firms. The program also provides financial and administrative support for U.S. visits to the overseas company, and for training of the overseas manager in the U.S. company. At that point, the U.S. business person visits the manager of the counterpart company to become familiar with the overseas business and the environment. The U.S. agribusiness then provides two months of practical training experiences focused on equipping the overseas manager with the skills needed to manage a business successfully in a market economy and engage in joint international activities. USDA will also make all travel arrangements, and handle visas and health insurance for the overseas manager.
Detailed tables accompany the methodological explanations.