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Upcoming Programs:

Membership Appreciation Event

MITC Members: This year's event is not to be missed! Join us in celebration for an evening of food, drink, and entertainment.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007 ~ 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Portland Country Club, Falmouth

Maine and the Future of Emissions Trading: Preparing for Local and Global Markets

Wednesday, April 3, 2007 ~ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Senator Inn, Augusta

Save the Date!

27th Annual Maine International Trade Day ~ Innovations 2007: International Partnerships and Technology Solutions for Maine

Metric Only Requirements for the EU Begin 2010

Beginning January 1, 2010, the European Union Council Directive 80/181/EEC (Metric Directive) will allow the use of only metric units, and prohibit the use of any other measurements for most products sold in the European Union (EU). Weights and Measures 2010.pdf:

United States Signs Telecommunications Agreement with Japan

The United States and Japan signed a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) that will help U.S. telecommunications and radio equipment makers market and sell their products in Japan and expand the acceptance in Japan of determinations made by U.S. certification bodies. Japan’s agreement to accept certification by recognized U.S. bodies will lower costs and speed up the marketing in Japan of innovative U.S. products. http://tcc.export.gov/News/index.asp

China to End Tax Breaks for Foreign Companies

BEIJING - The tax honeymoon for foreign investors in China is ending.  For two decades, China has rewarded new investors with hefty tax breaks, helping to lure the nearly $700 billion in investment that has helped make this the world's fourth largest-economy, but fueling growing complaints by Chinese companies about unfair treatment.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17455421/

Commerce to Launch New Federal Initiative to Attract Foreign Investment

U.S. Commerce Under Secretary for International Trade Frank Lavin announced the creation of a new U.S. Government Invest in America initiative, housed in the International Trade Administration, which will promote the United States as a destination for foreign investment. This initiative will be the primary U.S. Government mechanism to manage inward investment promotion.

http://trade.gov/press/press_releases/2007/investamerica_030707.asp

EU urged to boost free trade in farming

Geneva—The European Union must break down remaining barriers to trade in services and in agriculture to ensure its economic recovery is durable, the World Trade Organization said recently. The WTO's regular Trade Policy Review of the EU warned that structural reforms to free up the 27-nation bloc's economy must dig deeper to sustain a recovery driven mainly by private investment and exports since 2004.

http://www.dawn.com/2007/02/27/ebr14.htm

US trade warning to China
A senior US trade official has warned that China could face punitive "trade measures" if it does not adequately open up its market to American firms.  The growing US trade gap with China has fuelled calls for the US to toughen its stance over Beijing's trade practices. China has responded by warning that trade sanctions imposed by the US against it would damage both countries.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4729732.stm

Japan joins US complaint to WTO

Japan has joined the United States in a complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO). An official from Japan said the country is only acting as a third-party nation.  The Bush administration lodged a complaint with the WTO in Geneva, alleging that China subsidizes export companies and harms US manufacturers in a wide range of industries. The Japanese government notified China and the WTO of its intention to join the trade consultations.  http://en.ce.cn/Business/Macro-economic/200702/27/t20070227_10518489.shtml

US Congress scraps cotton subsidy

The US Congress has approved the scrapping of major subsidies to the cotton industry, in a move that could help producers in the developing world. The administration agreed in December to implement a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling against the subsidies, but it needed congressional authorization. The subsidies included incentives to buy cotton from domestic farmers.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4672786.stm

Window for Malaysia-U.S. free trade pact closing fast

The window for Malaysia to ink a free trade agreement with the United States is closing fast, according to Washington's top diplomat to the Southeast Asian country. Trade talks between Malaysia and the U.S. appeared to have hit a deadlock as Malaysia refuses to budge on its procurement policy that favors ethnic Malay-owned companies.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/latestnews/2007227/44550.htm

Asia Pacific Business Outlook (APBO) Conference 

University of Southern California, March 26-27, 2007, Los Angeles, CA.  For more information on the conference or to register to attend, go to the following site: http://www.apbo2007.com. For questions or general inquiries, contact Maryavis Bokal or Terri Batch by telephone at (949) 660-1688 ext. 117

Opportunities in the Russian Chemical Sector

March 27 - Webinar. U.S. exporters of chemical products and chemical equipment manufacturers have not yet given their full attention to the Russian chemical sector. The industry shows high growth potential, such as in the petrochemical sector. www.bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/bisdoc/070327Event%20FlyerChemical.pdf

Financing Deals and Investing in Eurasia, April 11

Exporting to and/or investing in Eurasia can be very challenging if you do not know how to assess the market and put financing packages together. This event will enable you to identify the issues and understand how professionals work with this market of over 250 million people.

 www.bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/bisdoc/070411BISNISCTECFinanceFlyer.pdf

The 8th Annual NECBC Technology Conference: "Technology Challenges, Market Opportunities and Solutions in Homeland and Border Security: The U.S.-Canada Experience” April 12, 2007 at the Colonnade Hotel, Boston, MA.  For further information contact Ellen Rota at 781-801-4310 or ellenrota@aol.com

IFEX - INTERNATIONAL FOOD EXHIBITION,  PHILIPPINES 2007, 18-20 May, 2007

Fresh & Processed Food, Organic & Natural Products. The country’s 283 food exporters, manufacturers, and consolidators hit the mark in accompanying 1,332 buyers.

MiNaT - International Trade Fair for Precision Mechanics and Ultra-Precision, Micro and Nanotechnologies Stuttgart June 12 - 14th, 2007 www.messestuttgart.de/minat//2007/english/index.htm

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce: www.chamber.ca/

Trade Facilitation Office of Canada: http://www.tfoc.ca

Canadian Trade Office : http://www.ctidirectory.com/

Strategis: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/

Maine International Trade Center 511 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101