Afghanistan Reconstruction Conference June 8-10, 2003 in Chicago, Illinois sponsored by USTDA and the U.S. Department of Commerce. For more information contact Dan Lamey/Kevin Craemer at: tda1@mfmgroup.com or see www.trademeetings.com

Business Breakfast Meeting: Policy, Economics and Oil in the Middle East by F. Gregory Gause, III. Wednesday, May 7^th, 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. The Hope Club, 6 Benevolent Street Providence, RI. For more information contact: wacri@itdn.net

Spanish for Travelers: Sponsored by USM Center for Continuing Education. 4 Thursdays, May 29 – June 19, 6:30 – 9 p.m.   For more information contact tel. (207) 780-5900.  See: www.usm.maine.edu/cce

MipTec 2003 May 12 - 15, is an International Conference and Exhibition on Drug Discovery held at the Convention Center in Basel, Switzerland.  For more information contact Robert Appel robert.appel@messe.ch

Biotech and IT Convergence Seminar, May 14-16, 2003 in Stockholm, Sweden. The U.S. Department of Commerce in has co-organized a seminar aimed at U.S. IT firms. For more information contact Thomas Kelsey http://www.export.gov/infotech  

Pacific Telecommunications Council Seminar, May 26-28, 2003 in Tokyo , Japan.The Pacific Telecommunications Council invites U.S. firms to join them in Tokyo , Japan . For more information contact Justin Riel at justin@ptc.org

SME (Small to Medium Sized Enterprises) Market Day in Hong Kong: June 5-7, 2003. A Focused platform for SME's to establish international market contacts and forge business partnerships in Hong Kong and China. If you are interested in exhibiting or attending, see: http://www.tdctrade.com/smemarketday/about/about.htm. 

ASINTA's Global Benefits Seminar May 13 at the Boston Sheraton hotel form 7:30 to 1:30 PM (4 PHR or SPHR credits will be available). Each ASINTA (www.asinta.com) partner is an expert in actuarial and benefits strategies in their own countries and together, they are experts in international benefit strategies and issues. This seminar is a fantastic opportunity for executives, strategic planners, human resource and finance professionals to discover country specific information on benefit cultures, mid-market benefit packages, and strategies that will help turn your benefit expenses into investments. To register, please contact Wendi Pickerel by May 5 via email wpickerel@clrpnt.com or by calling 1-800-410-6571 x 143.

Trade Shows

2003 US Display Garden Showcase of US Nursery products and Trade Mission in Japan , sponsored by SUSTA and Food Export USA. September 5 – 12, 2003 . For more information contact: Jane Storrs Tel: (410)-841-5770,storrsjm@mda.state.md.us

bioLOGIC 2003, Geneva , Switzerland June 4-6  Europe ’s leading Business event for biologics manufacturing. Beat your production bottlenecks, improve profitability and create winning manufacturing strategies. Gain unique market intelligence at this case study driven conference. Case study highlights include: Funding for manufacturing facilities; Economics of disposable-based facilities; Cost reduction for microbial fermentation; Costs of the clinical trials directive; Site transfer management; Productivity improvements for Mabs. See: http://www.pharma-rd.net/2003/bio_CH

bioLOGIC USA 2003  The Radisson Hotel, Boston October 15-16 See:http://www.pharma-rd.net/2003/biol_US

Biotechnica Hannover, Oct 7 - Oct 9, 2003 , Hannover, Germany. Biotechnica has been the most important trade show in Europe for biotechnology since 1985.  In 2001 the event drew 1,071 exhibitors from 28 countries and 13,167 professional visitors from 33 countries. Biotechnica Hannover features: medicine and pharmaceuticals, agriculture, nutrition, the environment, bioengineering, equipment and services. See: http://www.biotechnica.de

International Biotech 2003, November 25th & 26th 2003. London UK .
Exhibition - Networking – Education - International Biotech 2003 covers all aspects of the biotechnology industry through a large exhibition, product demonstrations and interactive educational discussion areas covering the latest issues in the market. It is a one-stop shop for the biotechnology community and a perfect forum for trade, partnership and information exchange. International Biotech was an immediate success in its launch year (2002) attracting over 1700 key buyers and decision makers from the biotechnology arena and featuring over 150 exhibitors. Entrance to the exhibition and features is free of charge for all visitors. See: http://www.internationalbiotech.com

Comdex Brazil, August 19 to 22, 2003 in Sao Paulo, Brazil is the largest IT event in Latin America For more information, contact Bernhard Smid, U.S. Department of Commerce/Brazil, at Bernhard.Smid@mail.doc.gov

Maine Tech 2003 May 20 Augusta, Maine. 1^st annual showcase of Maine companies developing cutting edge technologies.  This event will be a great opportunity for companies doing R&D to pitch their company and products to potential investors and customers, as well as the media. Contact: Renee Kelly, E-mail: rwkelly@maine.edu, or www.mainetechshow.com.

tRADE missions

H₂0 Tech Trade Mission Toronto, Canada, May 21-22, 2003. Features US suppliers of water monitoring, analysis, measuring equipment & software for the Ontario market. Proposed &b recent legislation in Ontario has opened new opportunities for US suppliers of specialized equipment suitable for potable water applications.  Mission includes: 2 days of pre-qualified meetings, market briefing, export counseling, and more. Cost: US$895. Best prospects include: pathogen analysis, instrumentation, remote & local monitoring, sampling, metering: domestic & ICI, flow control, laboratory applications for testing, automated treatment & control, pre-treatment, treatment, disinfections, engineering consulting, GIS/GPS systems, PLC & SCADA.  Deadline for registration: April 8^th.  For more information, contact Viktoria Palfi, e-mail: viktoria.palfi@mail.doc.gov

Business development mission--Egypt & Morocco  May 25th to the 31st.  The Trade and Investment Framework Agreement between the US & Egypt allows more access for U.S. products and services.  U.S. and Morocco have begun negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement, which will generate export opportunities for U.S. goods. Contact: Sherry, Tel:(202) 482-4519 or E-mail: Trade.Missions@mail.doc.gov.

Business Development Mission, Romania and Bulgaria: July 14-19, 2003, Applications available on or about April 8, 2003.  Cost: $2,000-$4,000.  Applications should be submitted by May 9, 2003.  Contact: Raj Dheer, Tel: (202) 482-0111  or e-mail: bobby.jones@mail.doc.gov

Security Products and Services Trade Mission – Security Equipment and Services Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, May 19- 20, 2003, Sao Paulo, Brazil May 21-23, 2003. Contact: April Redmon Tel: 703 524-2885, Senior International Trade Specialist or e-mail: bobby.jones@mail.doc.gov 

Manufacturing Trade Mission to Mexico- Multisectoral, June 22-28, 2003.  Mexico City, Monterey, Guadalajara, Contact: Yvonne Jackson Tel: 202 482-2675, International Trade Specialist or e-mail: bobby.jones@mail.doc.gov


Press Releases  

EU:New information on implementation of EU Digital VAT The July 1, 2003 deadline for implementation of the EU Digital Value Added Tax (VAT) by the member states is rapidly approaching.  In late February, the Department of Commerce’s Office of Information Technologies and Electronic Commerce sent out a survey to U.S. Embassies in the 15 EU member states requesting an update on implementation efforts. The information collected suggests that some member states foresee significant difficulties in meeting the July 1 deadline. An electronic summary of the responses, and additional information on the VAT, may be obtained from Scott Beech, Office of IT and E-Commerce, at Scott_Beech@ita.doc.gov or (202) 482-0396.  For information on the EU Digital VAT issue.

French Immersion Program in Quebec City June 20-27, 2003 . Have fun. Improve French speaking and listening skills. Challenge yourself. Make new friends and contacts. The primary objective is to promote the economic growth of the entire region through cooperative initiatives and ventures. Includes approximately 25 hours of classes. For more information contact André Pied, Director of Adult & Community Education, SAD 54 Skowhegan   (207) 474-7553.  Registration: $30 U.S. ; Lodging:  (Private homes, "host families" includes approx. 2 meals:  $120 U.S. ; Tuition : $109 U.S.   For more information contact André Pied, Director of Adult & Community Education, SAD 54 Skowhegan   (207) 474-7553. 

Maine Technology Institute Proposal Preparation Workshops
LEWISTON, May 2, 9-1, St. Mary's Hospital, FAIRFIELD, May 6, 9-1, Teague Biotechnology Park, MACHIAS, May 15, 1-5, University of Maine at Machias, WELLS, May 29, 9-1, York County Technical College, There is no charge to attend, but seating is limited. Please RSVP to the MTI at info@mainetechnology.org or call 207-582-4790

Development of China Trade: The US Commerce Department’s Trade Compliance Center has released, a report titled ”Development of China Trade 1995-2002.” Through this period, exports increased $177 billion, and Chinese imports and exports more than doubled. In 1999, the U.S. became China’s largest export market. The U.S. currently purchases slightly over 21 percent of China’s exports. For more information see:  http://www.mac.doc.gov/China/Docs/chinatrade.pdf

Spring Immersion Courses at Penobscot School: 
“Italian for Travelers”,April 26 and May 3, a course for beginners and advanced beginners. Italian weekend for intermediates May 30 - June 1. 

Spanish Day for advanced beginners, April 26. 

French Saturday for Beginners, May 3 and French Weekend, June 13-15.

Russian Workshop for Advanced Beginners, Saturday, May 10. 

Japanese Day for Beginners, Saturday, May 17. See www.languagelearning.org for more information.

USEFUL WEBSITES

Europages, the European Business Directory: 500,000 companies in 33 countries
EUROPAGES is a business directory listing 500,000 companies selected for their import-export vitality in all business sectors in over 35 European countries. EUROPAGES is an excellent tool for finding new clients, suppliers and partners and is a popular reference guide with European purchasing directors. According to the Federation of International Trade Associations, one single ad in EUROPAGES generates an average of 102 business contacts in one year. http://www.europages.com                                                                

MITC Trade Bulletin is published biweekly by the Maine International Trade Center as a members only benefit.  For information about membership or to be placed on our MITC Trade Bulletin mailing list, please contact our office.

Portland: Phone (207) 541-7400, Facsimile (207) 541-7420
Bangor: Phone (207) 990-3161 Facsimile (207) 942-3548
Lewiston: Phone (207) 753-0574 Facsimile (207) 786-4412
Website: http://www.mitc.com/Trade_Bulletin/April28.htm