Provides advice on how to perform due diligence and in what areas it is necessary for a U.S. company. Includes information on the U.S. Commercial Service International Company Profile service.

Knowing your business partner is critical to evaluating any major business deal. In today’s business climate, while a company’s financial and legal standing are important, issues relating to the company’s reputation, history, business ethics, integrity, business acumen, and influence in its business sectors and local environments can all be critical to a successful deal. One key aspect, often misunderstood, is that negative information need not be a deal killer. Such information often offers opportunities to re-negotiate better terms and/or structure deals to mitigate identified risks. The key to due diligence is to do it up front, before any commitments or deals are signed. Unlike mainland China where it is more difficult to gather information, getting information on Hong Kong and Macau entities is relatively easy. There are many service providers that offer investigative due diligence. The U.S. Commercial Service can provide a list of due diligence companies in Hong Kong upon request.

U.S. Commercial Service offers the International Company Profile (ICP) program, which provides credit rating, financial information, key officers and U.S. Commercial Service’s overall assessment of your potential business partners. The ICP enables U.S. small and medium-sized businesses to more effectively evaluate overseas companies.
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.