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Upcoming Programs:

Import Compliance and Upcoming Code Changes

Wednesday December 13, 2006 ~ 8:45 am - 12:00 noon
MITC Headquarters, Portland

Opportunities in China’s Recreational Marine Market

Tuesday December 19, 2006 ~ 9:00 am - 11:00 am

MITC Headquarters, Portland, ME

VIETNAM’S MEMBERSHIP RATIFIED:

The Vietnamese legislature ratified the nation’s WTO member-status with a decisive majority of 444-3 (2 votes abstaining) according to the Associated Press.  Membership is set to take effect December 28th of this year; 30 days after the government vote. 

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/business/4364244.html

JAPAN, INDONESIA:  FREE TRADE DEAL PLANNED

Japan and Indonesia agreed in principle Nov. 28 on a free trade agreement (FTA) under which Indonesia will provide a stable supply of oil and gas to Japan and eliminate tariffs on steel products that are not produced domestically. In return, Japan will remove tariffs on bananas, shrimp, forest and industrial products from Indonesia.  http://www.indiadaily.com/breaking_news/82927.asp

EU ALCOHOL RULING CHEERS TRADERS

Retailers have expressed relief at a European court ruling against allowing consumers to buy drinks and cigarettes online at lower duties from abroad.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6175646.stm

SWISS O.K. LAW TO OFFER AID TO NEW EU MEMBERS

$800 million in economic assistance approved for 10 newest nations to join.  The Swiss voted Sunday to continue their close cooperation with the European Union by approving a law to give the 10 newest EU members 1 billion Swiss francs ($800 million) in economic aid.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15908544/

WAL- MART TO OPEN RETAIL STORES IN INDIA

Retailer inks deal with local company to skirt government rules.  India may soon have stores displaying the Wal-Mart brand despite government rules that prevent foreign companies from operating multi-product retail chains here.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15917731/

TOP WTO POWERS TO MEET IN JANUARY TO PUSH TRADE TALKS

Ministers from the WTO's most influential powers will meet early next year to make their first joint attempt at reviving global trade talks since their collapse last summer, officials said yesterday. Top representatives of the United States, the European Union, Japan, Australia, India and Brazil are among those expected to gather on the sidelines at the World Economic Forum's annual four-day meeting of global leaders in Davos, Switzerland.http://www.kuwaittimes.net/Navariednews.asp?dismode=article&artid=1899731132

EU BEATS U.S., JAPAN IN GLOBALIZATION

Europe, where worker anger over globalization sparks street protests, is surpassing the U.S. and Japan in the race to reap benefits from the explosion in world trade and investment.  The continent is claiming a bigger share than the U.S. of the increased trade with fast-emerging markets such as Brazil, Russia, India and China, say economists at Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/business/detail.asp?ID=96311&GRP=E

CANADA ECONOMY TO SLOW SLIGHTLY AND REBOUND 2008

Canada's economic growth is expected to slow marginally next year toward potential and headline inflation should decelerate too, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said on Tuesday.

http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?type=economicNews&storyID=2006-11-28T100358Z_01_L27901115_RTRIDST_0_OECD-OUTLOOK-CANADA.XML

COMMERCE DEPARTMENT TO BRING 238 ON MISSION TO INDIA

U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Frank Lavin announced today that the business development mission to India will include 238 business participants representing 186 U.S. companies. The mission, which begins at the India Business Summit in Mumbai on November 28, 2006, will be the largest mission of its kind ever led by the federal government.

Virtual Trade Missions-USCS

The Virtual Matchmaker Program offers the busy executive a cost-effective way to explore an overseas market and meet international business prospects and market experts.  Virtual Matchmakers are industry specific and allow companies the opportunity to get answers to their market questions in an interactive, two-hour video conference.  FMI:

http://www.export.gov/salesandmarketing/virtual_trade_mission.asp

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—1,118 of which are from various local regions, while 214 are from different countries. FMI:

http://www.citem.com.ph/ifex/news1.html

CS Healthcare Trade Mission - Brazil and Chile -- Health Care Services, Medical Equipment, Chile & Brazil, April 23-27, 2007

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. Commercial Service, Office of Global Trade Programs, in conjunction with
the Global Healthcare Team, is organizing a Healthcare Technologies Mission to Santiago, Chile and Sao Paulo, Brazil, April 23-27, 2007, with an optional one-day spin-off stop to Belo Horizonte, Brazil on April 30, 2007.  FMI: http://www.export.gov/eac/show_detail_trade_events.asp?EventID=22054

Louisiana Trade Mission to the XVIII Latin American Petroleum Show in Caracas, Venezuela, June 25, 2007- June 30, 2007

The Latin American Petroleum Show (LAPS) has, for over 30 years, been the single most important international oil and gas event in Venezuela, and one of the most important oil exhibitions in the Western Hemisphere. The event has traditionally sold out months in advance, with over 90% of past exhibitors renewing participation. For more information please visit: http://www.buyusa.gov/neworleans/

EU Website: http://europa.eu/index_en.htm

EuP (Energy Using Products): http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/eco_design/index_en.htm

WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment): http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/weee_index.htm

CE Mark Information: http://www.ita.doc.gov/td/tic/ce_mark/ceintro.htm

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