Joint Export Marketing Assistance Act of 1981

Joint Export Marketing Assistance Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program to promote export marketing activities for domestic industry. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with industrial corporations or groups of noncompeting corporations with limited exporting experience to develop foreign markets for their products. Requires the Secretary to direct specified market research for such projects to measure opportunities, determine the best methods, and indicate the prospects for success.

Requires interested corporations to submit a proposal on the basis of such research incorporating specific marketing actions and a timetable for such actions for approval by the Secretary.

Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with those entities submitting approved proposals to share marketing costs for up to three years. Limits the Federal share of participation to 50 percent of the reasonable costs. Requires repayment of the Federal share within five years of the expiration of Federal participation.

Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.