The Economic and Trade Mission at the Embassy of Israel aims to promote and facilitate trade and investment between Israel and the United States, and to enhance bilateral commercial relations. For this purpose, it works closely with U.S. federal government agencies such as the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the Department of Commerce. The Economic and Trade Mission has specific responsibility for promoting bilateral trade with the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland. The Economic Missions in New York City, Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago are responsible for the remaining forty-eight states. In addition, the Mission supports the efforts of Israeli companies to be awarded contracts financed by the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).