MITC
Trade Bulletin
The Maine International Trade
Center's Biweekly Electronic News Service. A Members Only Benefit .
Monday,
March 10, 2003
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MITC MINI-MISSIONS Maine Seafood Mission to Europe Futurallia 2003 TRADE ALERTS Attention all Exporters Using Wood Pallets UPS Discounts for MITC Members MITC to launch “Maine Products” program TRADE EVENTS Monthly China Biz Roundtable Afghanistan Reconstruction
Conference
Penobscot School Language
Immersion Courses
USEFUL WEBSITES |
Food
Export to Mexico Program Features Mexican Seafood Buyers:
A delegation of seven Mexican seafood buyers is arriving for the Boston
Seafood Show the week of March 10th and will be hosted by the
Maine International Trade Center.
These buyers include both retail and foodservice distributors and
top retailers. On March 14th from 10:00-12:00 MITC will hold
a program on Food Export to Mexico
featuring the Food and Agricultural Attaché with the Foreign
Agricultural Service in Mexico City. Subsequent to the presentation,
there will be a Special Seafood Panel where buyers from the incoming
delegation will explain buying trends on the Mexican seafood market and
how they source product.
A question and answer period will follow where Maine companies
can express their interests and inquiries. For more information on this
program and the incoming delegation, please contact Janine Bisaillon-Cary
at 541-7412 or e-mail jbcary@mitc.com. Developing and Managing Distributor Networks, presented by the Maine International Trade Center, a half-day seminar is designed to help Maine businesses identify suitable international markets and to determine the number of distribution channels that are needed. Learn how to effectively implement strategies for sales and distribution. Developing & Managing Distributor Networks, the third seminar in the Lee Group International Program Series, will be held on March 27, 2003 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Geiger on Mount Hope Ave, Lewiston. Cost is $30.00 for members and $60.00 for non-members of the Maine International Trade Center and free to all Maine state legislators. For more information contact Catherine G. Macri at macri@mitc.com or (207) 541-7455 or see our website at www.mitc.com.
Futurallia
2003, May
21-23, 2003 in Quebec City. The Maine International Trade Center
is recruiting for Futurallia 2003, one of the world’s preeminent
matchmaking events for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 800
companies from around the world are expected to attend the 2003 event in
Quebec. Targeted industry
sectors include most types of manufacturing, wood processing and
building materials, environmental and information technologies; food and
agriculture; and healthcare. This
is an excellent opportunity for Maine firms to develop export markets
and to learn about the international marketplace. See the Futurallia
website (www.futurallia-online.com).
Cost is $500 for MITC members, which includes 12 business matches,
hotel accommodations, meals, on-site translation services, and access to
the Futurallia website. MITC
nonmembers pay US$600. For more information or to register, contact Wade
Merritt at the Bangor office at (207) 990-3161, or by e-mail at merritt@mitc.com.
See News article: http://www.bangornews.com/editorialnews/article.cfm?ID=235944
UPS
Discounts for MITC Members: Companies who do not already
have negotiated discounts with UPS should keep in mind that MITC members
can obtain discounts of 10-25% off domestic and international shipments
with UPS. To obtain the discount, members should first obtain a UPS
account number by calling 1-800-PICK-UPS or via www.ups.com.
When using the account number to ship, members will automatically
get the discount applied. To
ship a package, simply go to www.ups.com,
where you can manifest the package, and generate a shipping label. From
there, simply drop the package off to a UPS counter, have UPS pick it
up, or simply find a Driver. For
full details on the UPS discounts to Trade Center members, click here: http://www.mitc.com/PDF/UPSDiscountAd.pdf
MITC
to launch “Maine Products” program with Maine
Maritime Academy, June 2003: This program is designed to showcase food
and consumer goods from Maine on the tsv State of Maine’s voyage to Nova Scotia, Turkey and Belgium.
MITC will be coordinating receptions in ports and inviting
potential buyers to tour Maine Maritime’s ship and the “Made in
Maine” products.
This will be a rare opportunity for Maine’s small and medium
sized businesses to get worldwide exposure at minimal cost.
Contact Janine Bisaillon-Cary at jbcary@mitc.com.
Trade Events
Immigrant
Entrepreneurs, Triumphs and Challenges presented
by the World Affairs Council of Maine will be held March 20,
2003, 5:00-5:45pm. Free and open to all. Portland Museum of Art, Seven
Congress Square, Portland. Beyond
the Borders of Maine: Economic Growth Through Canadian Partnership
to be held March
31, 2003 ~ 7:00am at the Wells Conference Center, University of Maine,
Orono. Governor John Baldacci, will discuss the key component of
his economic plan for the State of Maine which involves the creation of
an International Trade Zone to take advantage of the business
opportunities between Maine, the Maritime Provinces and Quebec at the
Governor’s International Community Breakfast. The trade zone will
promote joint efforts in trade, transportation and tourism. Joining
Governor Baldacci will be Richard Coyle, President of the Maine
International Trade Center, who will update the audience on “The State
of International Trade” – where Maine is trading, the direction of
international trade, and upcoming trade events and opportunities
Tel: 207-780-5383, Fax: 207-780-5779, Mail: World Affairs Council of
Maine, P0 Box 9300, Portland ME 04104-9300. E-mail: triffin@wacmaine.org E-Business
Symposium will be held from April 3rd to the 4th
in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. A
one and a half day event in which senior executives from some of the top
American companies share their wisdom and knowledge on how their
organizations harnessed the power of the Internet.
Contact: Keith Young, Tel: (313) 867-6692 or www.ebusinesssymposium.net NAB
Global Matchmaking Reception at National Assoc. of
Broadcasters (NAB) to be held on April 6th
in Las Vegas. Countries
represented at the 2002 Reception: Brazil, Canada, China, France,
Germany, Japan, Korea, and the UK.
U.S. companies are invited to display their products and
literature. Contact: Dan
Bjerk, E-mail: Dan.Bjerk@mail.doc.gov
or http://www.socaldec.com/NAB03/ NAB
Trade Show Global Business Breakfast Briefing to be held
on April 8
from
7:30am to 10am
in Las Vegas.
The US Dept. of Commerce's International Trade Administration
will host the briefing in cooperation with NAB.
U.S. companies are invited to hear about where the international
demand for information and communications technologies (ICT) exports
lies and trends in electronic media convergence.
Registration deadline: April 1.
Contact: Dan Bjerk, Tel: (602) 640-2513 x15, E-mail: Dan.Bjerk@mail.doc.gov
or see: www.socaldec.com/NAB03 Holz
Innovativ - Wood 2003 to be held from April 9th to the 10th
in Rosenheim, Bavaria. It
will include a symposium with an exhibition concentrating on the
timber/furniture industry plus one-on-one-cooperation meetings on April
8, and excursions on April 10. A
preliminary program is listed at www.bayern-innovativ.de/projekte/detail/874_0
Contact: Kristina L. Welch, Tel: (212)
317-0588, E-mail: kwelch@bavaria.org
or see: www.bavaria.org Afghanistan
Reconstruction Conference to be held from June 8th to the
10th in
Chicago, Illinois
sponsored by USTDA and the U.S. Department of Commerce.
It will present and discuss the rebuilding of major
infrastructure in Afghanistan, in the following sectors: power and
energy; water and sanitation; transport; buildings; gas and oil
pipelines; construction; health care; and tourism.
Contact: Dan Lamey/Kevin Craemer, Tel: (866) 636-4729/(202)
347-2725, E-mail: star@mfmgroup.com
or see:
www.trademeetings.com
Trade Shows HOFEX
2003,
May 6-9, 2003 Hong Kong, the 10th Asian
International Exhibition of Food & Drink
for American food exporters, manufacturers, and distributors.
Hong Kong is the 8th largest export market for the US
agricultural products and the 5th largest export market from
the US high -value food products. Catalog
Show/Product Literature Exhibition
to be held May 12-14, 2003 in Jerusalem. Targeting medical and
pharmaceutical supplies and equipment. USAID regulations stipulate that
funds be spent on U.S. products to the extent possible. AID estimates
that $2.5 to $3 million is programmed to be spent on medical equipment
and supplies over the next 12 months. We are also targeting our
promotion of U.S. products to the Israeli-Arab market. Please click on
our website page at http://www.buyusa.gov/westbank/en/page42.html
for a complete product list, other details and online registration form.
For worldwide U.S. export assistance, please see www.buyusa.com
and www.export.gov International
2003 Construction Trade Show to be held May 14-16
in Tijuana, Mexico.
Mexixo's Chamber of Construction Industry (CMIC) and Mexico's
association of Municipalities (AMMAC). Become a supplier to the
construction industry in Mexico. Opportunity for construction sector
developers to meet new suppliers and learn about new construction
methods. Special Exhibitor Fees for US Commercial Services Clients:
US$1650 for a 100 sq. ft. Inside area, US$3300 for a 900. Sq. ft.
Outside area. Plus an extra 30% off for U.S. participants. US$350 for
the Gold Key (matchmaking) service. For more information: Tel: 01152
(664) 622-7450, 622-7658 and 622-7495. Fax: 01152 (664) 622-7419. Email:
expo2003@cmlctj.org. Or check
out the web site: www.expo2003@cmlctj.org. CommAsia
2003 to be held May 13-15 in
Manila, Philippines.
The only telecommunications and information technology exhibit supported
by the Philippines Electronics and Telecommunications Federation (PETEF).
The event, featuring the requirements of the growing telecommunications,
broadcast, electronics, information technology and e-commerce
industries, will be held in conjunction with the National Electronics
and Telecommunications Week. The U.S. Department of Commerce invites
U.S. companies to participate in this important trade show. As a U.S.
Pavilion exhibitor, you can take advantage of discounted rates,
prominent location in the exhibit hall and special value-added services
exclusive to U.S. Pavilion exhibitors. Exhibiting cost is $3600.
For more information contact Aida Miranda, U.S. Department of
Commerce/Manila, at 63-2 8886620 or aida.miranda@mail.doc.gov. CeBIT
to be held May 15-18 in
Australia. One
of Australia's premier trade events in the IT and telecommunications
sector, and is part of the Cebit stable of events globally. It is a
trade only show and attracts good levels of attendees. The U.S.
Department of Commerce will be recruiting a product literature center
for inclusion in the US pavilion at the show.
We will represent US companies in this PLC, and promote these
companies to Australian importers and distributors in the sector.
For more information, contact Duncan Archibald, U.S. Department
of Commerce/Sydney at 61-2-9373-9212 or duncan.archibald@mail.doc.gov. To
find information on trade shows and events, go to http://exportIT.ita.doc.gov
==> Trade Events ==> Trade Event Information
To
request an application or get more information please call Nuala
O'Connor Kelly, Chief Counsel for Technology, U.S. Department of
Commerce, at (202) 482-1984.
China
Business Exploration Mission
will be held from April 15th to the 30th
in Canton, China. China BusinessLink, a MITC member, is organizing a
business exploration trip to Canton for the purposes of outsourcing or
market development. Among
the services offered by ChinaTrade Link is bilingual business
consulting. Contact
Fred Fagin at 549-4507 or see: http://china_trade_link.tripod.com Business
development mission will be held from May 25th to the
31st in Egypt
& Morocco will
Explore US business
partnerships. 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.
UPS
Official appointed to President’s Export Council.
Mike Eskew, Chairman and CEO of UPS, was sworn in by President
George W. Bush to the President's Export Council. "The President's
Export Council is the premier national advisory committee on
international trade, and I know Mike Askew will have a positive impact
in his advisory role to the president," stated Commerce Secretary
Don Evans. UPS supports the removal of international trade barriers
through free trade initiatives," said Eskew. For more information
contact: David A. Bolger, Tel: 202-675-3381. Or check out the UPS web
site at: www.ups.com Impact on the US Economy of Five Trade Agreements. The US International Trade Commission (ITC) is seeking additional input for its investigation of the economic impact on the United States of five trade agreements enacted over the last 25 years. The investigation, The Impact of Trade Agreements: Effect of the Tokyo Round, U.S.-Israel FTA, U.S.-Canada FTA, NAFTA, and the Uruguay Round on the U.S. Economy, Is required by section 2111 of the Trade Act of 2002. For more information: http://www.usitc.gov/er/nl2003/ER0225aa1.htm U.S.
Programs Help Build Poor Countries' Trade Capacities.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) official Suzanne Heinen stated
that USDA is providing a range of services to help developing countries
increase their capacity to take part in the world trade system.
According to Heinen, "If the United States' agricultural community
is to achieve success in the global trade negotiating process, our
government must engage the developing world in the creation of
appropriate trading rules and guidelines, and of transparent, efficient,
science-based food and agricultural regulatory systems." View
text of Heinen’s remarks Romania
is One Step Closer to Market Economy Status,
Says Commerce Secretary Evans When he met with Romanian President Ion
Iliescu and Prime Minister Adrian Nastase on February 27 to underscore
the importance of U.S.-Romanian commercial relations, Commerce Secretary
Don Evans praised Romania for its economic and commercial reforms. At a
press conference, Evans said that Romania is strongly being considered
as a market based economy, and that the Commerce Department will make a
decision by March 10. The Secretary also announced that the Commerce
Department will lead a business development mission to Romania later
this year. Evans is the first U.S. Commerce Secretary in nearly 15 years
to visit Romania.
View
text of Commerce Department press release Chinese Consumer Index Ranking First In Asia Pacific Survey conducted by Mastercard International reveals that when most consumers in the Asia Pacific region are pessimistic about the current economic climate, consumers in Mainland China have strong confidence in the future, making them top the Company's Consumer Confidence Survey in the past three years. (Source: Beijing Business Daily, 02/11/03 - Translated by Shen Yan) ars to visit Romania. View text of Commerce Department press release Bush
Administration Outlines 2003 Trade Policy Agenda/2002
Annual Report on Trade Agreements Program. On February 28, the Bush
Administration submitted to Congress the 2003 Trade Policy Agenda and
the 2002 Annual Report of the President of the United States on the
Trade Agreements Program, which outlines the Administration's 2003 trade
initiatives and summarizes the 2002 accomplishments. See: http://www.ustr.gov/reports/2003.html China's CCC Mark: A Guide for U.S. Exporters. The government of China has introduced a new safety license system which requires manufacturers in 132 product categories to obtain the China Compulsory Certification (CCC) mark before exporting to or selling in the China market. The new system, implemented on May 1, 2002 and fully effective on May 1, 2003, will impact many U.S. exporters, across a wide range of manufacturing sectors. Products not meeting CCC requirements may be held at the border by Chinese Customs and will be subject to other penalties. This guide lists the five steps required to obtain the CCC Mark: 1) determine whether your products require CCC marking; 2) get the implementing regulations; 3) consider your options for applying; 4) apply; and 5) note other Chinese licensing requirements. For more information, contact Timothy Wineland of the Commerce Department's Office of the Chinese Economic Area, e-mail: Timothy_Wineland@ita.doc.gov Ex-Im
Bank Accelerates Support for U.S. Exports to Russia.
In a March 3 press release, the Ex-Im Bank says it is significantly
increasing its support for the export of U.S. goods and services to
Russia, largely as a result of innovative partnerships with a variety of
Russian financial institutions. View
text of press release World
Affairs Council of Maine Events Schedule: May:
6th Paulo Sotero, Brazilian Journalist, WAC’s First
Annual Sumner Bernstein Forum for International
Understanding, 20/21 25th Anniversary Commemorative
Event, Speaker, Portland High School International Club Show and
International Hors d’Oeuvres, Tba, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, Secretary
General of the Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global
Dialogue and Democracy Homeland
Security: What does it mean for Maine? What does it mean for you? The
Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce’s, Early Bird Breakfast: Wednesday,
March 26, 2003: 7:30 am, Ramada Inn 357 Odlin Road, Bangor, ME.
Chamber members attending at $10.00, non members $13.00, 519 Main
Street, PO Box 1443, Bangor, ME
04402-1443; Tel. (207) 947-0307 – Fax (207) 990-1427, e-mail:
chamber@bangorregion.com How
to Finance Your Environmental & Energy Technology Project Forum
to be held March 19th from noon to 1.30pm at the Eastland
Hotel in Portland.
This is a "brown bag" lunch event. Refreshments will be
available. For more information contact Jim Atwell at 829-5016 or jsa@smemaine.com,
John Ferland at 767-4302 or John.Ferland@ceemaine.org, or Norm Gridley
at 725-8721or ncg@wright-pierce.com. Afghanistan
Reconstruction Conference to be held June 8-10, 2003 in
Chicago, Illinois USTDA and the U.S. Department of
Commerce are sponsoring a conference to present and discuss the
rebuilding of major infrastructure in Afghanistan. The projects to be
presented will be in the following sectors: power and energy; water and
sanitation; transport; buildings; gas and oil pipelines;construction;
health care; and tourism. For more information contact Dan Lamey/Kevin
Craemer (866) 636-4729/(202) 347-2725, at MFM Group, Inc. Email: tda1@mfmgroup.com
Website: www.trademeetings.com
Penobscot
School Language Immersion Courses: Intermediate
French Immersion Weekend, March 14-16. An immersion course replicates
life in an extended family in another country, including shared
responsibility for food preparation. $195 fee includes all materials,
six meals and lodging. Registration deadline is Friday, March 7. "French
Cooking for Family and Friends," to be held March 22, from 10:00am
- 1pm, taught by French native and Rockland resident Elisabeth Floch
Newmeyer. The registration deadline is Thursday, March 20. For more
information on any of the above workshops and programs: Tel:
207-594-1084. Fax: 207-594-1067. Email: penobscot@languagelearning.org.
Or go to the web site at: www.languagelearning.org.
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. |
Richard Coyle, President
Janine Bisaillon-Cary, Vice
President
