Washington, DC -- The World Bureau, a Washington-based publishing company, today announced the expansion of its global government directory products with the introduction of World Powerbase, the first online database of the world’s governments, leadership and staff, and the acquisition of three publications including Worldwide Government Directory.
“Our goal is to create the definitive directory and guide to the world’s governments,” said Randy Miller, president of The World Bureau. “We have spent two years developing our internet application and editorial system. We have merged the 6,200 pages of data in our five print directories into a sophisticated database available to our subscribers at their desks.

“ World Powerbase is a one-of-kind web-based resource with tremendous utility to corporate executives, government officials, business advisors, trade associations, and universities who operate internationally,” said Miller. “ In this era of globalization, we need the same tools abroad that we use here at home. That includes information about government agencies and decisionmakers.”

Powerbase includes 80,000 officials and 40,000 offices in 196 countries and 300 international organizations. Every type of governmental entity is included: heads of state, cabinet ministries, independent agencies, the judiciary and courts, legislatures, state industries and embassies. For each country’s government, the listings include office and person names, titles, addresses, phone and fax numbers, and email and internet addresses. Photos and biographical profiles are included for key Powerbase content will be expanded significantly with the three directories being acquired. For the past 20 years, Worldwide Government Directory has been recognized as the leading register of the world’s governments and leaders. Worldwide Government Directory has received praise from the international community, including Foreign Affairs Magazine and the Journal of International Affairs.

The World Bureau purchased the assets of Worldwide Government Directory, Profiles of Worldwide Government Leaders and Worldwide Directory of Defense Authorities from Keesings Worldwide LLC, a Bethesda-based publisher. The World Bureau also publishes Trade and Customs World Directory and the Intellectual Property World Directory.

“ In our global economy, foreign governments affect organizations and individuals in many ways,” said Miller. “ They grant product approvals, rule on trademarks, conduct fair trade investigations, impose tariffs and taxes, enforce quotas, and regulate product labeling and contents. And, of course, they make policy decisions of all sorts. Those of us involved in the international market can’t afford to be in the dark about who is in charge of key decisions. With all of these areas of activity, we think that Powerbase will be attractive to legal departments, public affairs departments, business development offices, the media, government agencies, and academia.”

“ Powerbase is updated daily by our multilingual staff. Each day we contact government offices and review and translate scores of foreign resources, including specialized publications, foreign language newspapers and journals, government documents, corporate and governmental web sites, and governmental directories.”

The World Bureau was founded in 2001 by Randy Miller, a former international lawyer and congressional aide. Miller founded and headed Washington law firm Hogan & Hartson’s office in Brussels, Belgium in the 1990s and was Policy Director to Senator Bob Dole in the early 1980s. The World Bureau can be contacted at 202-333-1010, at info@worldbureau.com, or online at www.worldbureau.com.