The duties and responsibilities of the council shall be the following:
(1) To conduct national and international market research to identify trade and investment opportunities.
(2) To provide one-on-one business assistance with research, strategic planning, partner search, evaluation, negotiation and follow-up.
(3) To identify joint ventures and licensing services.
(4) To provide special assistance to Mississippi’s agricultural producers and firms engaged in the marketing of agricultural products produced in Mississippi to develop markets.
(5) To conduct market studies to identify agricultural products that can be manufactured in Mississippi from materials and resources available in or to Mississippi for which a profitable and growing market exists.
(6) To assist with layout, design, plans and specifications of plants, machinery, equipment and other facilities necessary to products in profitable volume.
(7) To advertise and solicit for production and industrial promotion purposes.
(8) To provide assistance with financial packaging by utilizing all available fund resources provided by the State of Mississippi including, but not limited to, the Small Business Investment Act, Emerging Crop Fund and the Business Financial Investment Act.
(9) To establish a Mississippi Register of Mississippi Agricultural Producers and set criteria for listing therein.
(10) To coordinate purchasing agreements between state institutions and Mississippi agricultural producers.
(11) To create, establish and organize the state into marketing districts for the most effective and efficient use of marketing resources.
(12) To provide any other assistance and services necessary to accomplish the purposes of Sections 69-1-101 through 69-1-117.