Promote:
Find public support
The organizations that help companies export from and invest in the District of Columbia, grouped by what you need. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
1. Where to start
DMPED, WDCEP and DCSBDC: the guide’s first stops, of the 9 organizations below.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
- This guide lists every body in the District found with evidence dated 2025 or later. Source (opens in a new tab)
Economic development office
DMPED
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
Runs the District's International Business Team, which works to raise exports, attract foreign investment and organize trade missions.
Visit DMPED (opens in a new tab)Source: DMPED, International Business page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Economic development partnership
WDCEP
Washington DC Economic Partnership
Helps companies moving to or growing in the District with sites, incentives, research and a soft landing program for international firms.
Visit WDCEP (opens in a new tab)Source: WDCEP, Global Soft Landing page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
Small business advising network
DCSBDC
District of Columbia Small Business Development Center
Gives no-cost counseling, training and technical help to small companies, including an international trade team for export readiness.
Visit DCSBDC (opens in a new tab)Source: DCSBDC, export services page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
2. Export development and market information
3 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Economic development office
DMPED
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
Runs the District's International Business Team, which works to raise exports, attract foreign investment and organize trade missions.
Visit DMPED (opens in a new tab)Source: DMPED, International Business page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
Small business advising network
DCSBDC
District of Columbia Small Business Development Center
Gives no-cost counseling, training and technical help to small companies, including an international trade team for export readiness.
Visit DCSBDC (opens in a new tab)Source: DCSBDC, export services page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Find finance
Export credit agency
EXIM
Export-Import Bank of the United States
Offers export credit insurance and working capital guarantees to exporters, with a regional export finance center in Washington.
Visit EXIM (opens in a new tab)Source: EXIM, regional export finance centers (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
3. Investment and business setup
2 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Economic development partnership
WDCEP
Washington DC Economic Partnership
Helps companies moving to or growing in the District with sites, incentives, research and a soft landing program for international firms.
Visit WDCEP (opens in a new tab)Source: WDCEP, Global Soft Landing page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
Business licensing and registration
DLCP
Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection
Registers business entities and issues business licenses and professional licenses in the District.
Visit DLCP (opens in a new tab)Source: DLCP, BOSS platform release, July 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 17, 2026
4. Customs and tax
1 organization. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- Meet requirements
Tax authority
OTR
Office of Tax and Revenue
Registers businesses for District taxes with form FR-500 and collects franchise, sales and withholding taxes.
Visit OTR (opens in a new tab)Source: OTR, new business registration page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
5. Standards and sector requirements
1 organization. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- Meet requirements
Financial services regulator
DISB
Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking
Regulates insurers, banks, securities firms and captive insurance companies that operate in the District.
Visit DISB (opens in a new tab)Source: DISB, about captive insurance page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
6. Chambers and industry associations
2 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- Get advice
Chamber of commerce
DC Chamber
DC Chamber of Commerce
Runs the District's export program and international programs, with business guides for District companies and foreign firms.
Visit DC Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: District chamber of commerce, Export DC page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
Regional business association
Board of Trade
Greater Washington Board of Trade
Represents members across the District, suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia on regional business policy.
Visit Board of Trade (opens in a new tab)Source: Greater Washington Board of Trade, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
7. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
- Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
- Compare the United States with other countriesSet the United States beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your District of Columbia project.
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Promote:District of Columbia is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of November 3, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.