MITC Trade Bulletin

MITC PROGRAMS

Irish Trade Mission Reception featuring Senator George Mitchell: On July 7^th, Senator George Mitchell will be joining the Maine International Trade Center at the Mariott, Sable Oaks-South Portland from 4:30-7:00 pm for a kickoff reception of the upcoming Gubernatorial Trade Mission to Ireland/Northern Ireland. An overview of current events and Irish business opportunities will be discussed. Admission is free to all MITC Members and is $15 for non-members. All with interest in this upcoming Mission are welcome to attend. Contact Dana Eidsness at 541-7474 or eidsness @mitc.com.

Governor Baldacci's First Gubernatorial Trade Mission to Ireland and Northern Ireland: October 18-25, 2003 Governor Baldacci and the Maine International Trade Center will be taking business leaders to meet key companies in the growing markets of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Currently Maine exports over US$81 million of products to the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. Opportunities for trade in this region are wide ranging, with best prospects in Information Technology and Electronics; Medical Equipment and Biotechnology; Construction Services and Transport Equipment; Seafood and Consumer Goods; and Telecommunications Equipment and Motor Vehicle Parts. The Maine International Trade Center will be organizing customized one-on-one business appointments through USDOC Gold Key Services as well as local trade organizations. Cities to be visited include Derry, Coleraine, Belfast, Dublin and Shannon. For more information on the October Gubernatorial Mission, please contact: Janine Bisaillon-Cary (207) 541-7412 or email jbcary@mitc.com.

NEW MITC MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

MITC Members Receive 1-Year Subscription to Mainebiz! Mainebiz is offering Members of the Maine International Trade Center a complimentary 1-year subscription to their publication. Get to know Maine’s business news source. To take advantage of this offer, follow the link to this form: http://www.mitc.com/PDF/MainebizCompForm.pdf Fill out the information and return by fax or mail to Mainebiz: 30 Milk Street, 3rd Floor, Portland, Maine 04101
Fax: (207) 761-0732

Trade Alerts

Futurallia Trade Leads: Several companies approached MITC at Futurallia 2003 seeking partners in Maine. Three are listed below. For contact information for these companies, please contact Wade Merritt at MITC-Bangor, Tel: 990-3161 or merritt@mitc.com. The companies are as follows: Hawkley International, Ltd, a British manufacturer of portable vehicle weighing equipment. ExactSoft, Inc., a Quebec-based software developer offering a range of time tracking, human resource, and other employee management software solutions. Giannone Poultry Inc., a Quebec-based producer of air-chilled chicken.

China Extends Deadline to Convert CCIB and CCEE Certificates to August 1, 2003
China's Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) has announced that the deadline for mandatory conversion of CCIB and CCEE Certificates to the new CCC Certificate will be extended to August 1, 2003. For more information on Chinese regulatory compliance measures, contact SIMCOM at 770-730-9980 or via email at chinaservices@esimcom.com.

IRAQ: Iraq Reconstruction Task Force Launches Web Site: On April 25, the Iraq Reconstruction Task Force officially launched its web site, www.export.gov/iraq. This site offers information about procurement opportunities, contract awards, and government agency information for Iraq.

Trade Events

Maine Investment Exchange Forum, July 16^th, University of Maine Hutchinson Center in Belfast, Maine. MIX is a networking forum enabling entrepreneurs who are seeking risk capital to meet potential investors. It is anticipated that 4 - 6 high quality companies, who are seeking risk capital, will each be making 10 minute presentations about investment opportunities in their companies. The forum will commence at 11:30 AM and will include lunch and a keynote speaker. For more information please see www.mixforum.org

Vietnam Information and Communication Technology Orientation Visit, September 5-17, 2003 . The Government of Vietnam has identified the development of the information and communications technology (ICT) industry as a national priority. Vietnamese officials representing the country's rapidly developing ICT industry will make presentations on upcoming project opportunities to a U.S. business audience. A business briefing will be held in Washington, DC. For more information contact Bernard Markowicz, markowicz@decisionanalysis.net

Mexico Hydropower Rehabilitation and Modernization incoming delegation, July 2003: Mexican officials from the hydroelectric power sector will meet with U.S. engineering companies, operators and investors involved in the hydropower industry, as well as manufacturers and suppliers of equipment related to this sector. The delegates will examine U.S. capabilities in the rehabilitation and modernization of hydroelectric systems. A business briefing will be held at USTDA Business Center in Arlington, Virginia. For more information contact Olympia Brescia, obrescia@gmc-ideas.com.

Vietnam Medical and Equipment incoming delegation, August 9-21, 2003: Vietnamese healthcare officials will visit the United States to examine U.S. medical equipment. A business briefing will be held in San Diego. For more information contact David Elliott at mak@kealtd.com.

Request for US Host Companies for Dept. of Commerce's Inter-American E-Business Program, a training program for Latin American and Caribbean information technology managers. The program assists economic restructuring in Latin America and the Caribbean by introducing business executives from those regions to U.S. methods of innovation and management, and by creating a cadre of influential executives who are predisposed to doing business with the United States. Contact Sarah Cook, Tel: (202) 482-0621, or ebusiness_fellowship@ita.doc.gov

Trade Shows

r3 Asia 2004, July 6-9, 2004 is an international showcase exhibition on used machinery and equipment. For more information contact Simon Ng at, r3salesteam@hglink.com or see http://www.r3-asia.com

The Second Guba Agricultural Show, July 12 - 13, 2003, Baku, Azerbaijan . The Guba Agricultural Show serves as a focus point for the agricultural community. For more information contact Alexander Burnett at office@longforest.baku.az

Advances in Engineering Wood Composites: New Products, Manufacturing Technologies, and Design Methods, University of Maine, August 5-7, 2003. This is an opportunity to learn from experts in advanced engineered wood composites. The registration fee is $295. For more information contact, contactaewc@umit.maine.edu

Buildex 2003, July 20-24: "U.S. Products Catalog Show" - the very latest material, equipment and products. See: http://www.buyusa.gov/israel/en/page103.html#section5

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

Tendence Lifestyle, Frankfurt, Germany, August 22-26, 2003 is is the world's largest consumer goods fair. For more information contact info@usa.messefrankfurt.com or see http://www.tendence-lifestyle.com

Plastio Ispack 2003, September 1-4: "U.S. Products Catalog Show" at Israel's premier plastics & packaging exhibition. See: http://www.buyusa.gov/israel/en/page103.html#section6

CeBIT Bilisim, Istanbul, Turkey September 2-7, 2003 is an international trade fair for information technology, telecommunications, software and services for Turkey and the Eurasian Region. The U.S. Department of Commerce in Turkey will organize a U.S. catalog show in the USA Pavilion to help companies make business connections with both European and Asian counterparts. Catalog participation fee is $200. To participate, contact Larry Tabash at Larry.Tabash@mail.doc.gov. Registration deadline is August 8, 2003. For further information on the show see, http://www.cebitbilisim.com

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

Agritec Israel 2003, September 15-18: Commercial and Agricultural Sections of Embassy, along with American States Offices Association, are jointly organizing "U.S. Products Catalog Show" at Israel's international exhibition for agricultural advanced equipment and R&D. See: http://www.buyusa.gov/israel/en/page103.html#section7

SIAL Mercosul 2003, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, September 15-18, 2003, is the leading exhibition in the food industry in Latin America. For more information contact Ron Verdonk Tel: 011-5511-3082-3528 Fax: 011-5511-3083-7535 or Teresina Chin Tel: 202-720-9423 Fax: 202-690-4374.

World PC EXPO 2003, September 17-20 in Japan is the premier event for IT and digital products in Japan and the leading gateway for growing Asian IT markets. For more information see: http://www.wpcexpo.com or contact Mari Felton-Beal at mari.felton@mail.doc.gov

Plovdiv International Technical Fair Catalog Show, Sept. 29- Oct. 4, 2003 , Bulgaria. The Plovdiv International Technical fair is the biggest trade fair in Bulgaria with country wide exposure, which attracts thousands of across the industry visitors. Cost to U.S. exporters is $200. For more information, contact Reginald A. Miller, Senior Commercial Officer, Sofia, E-mail: reginald.miller@mail.doc.gov or Tsvetanka Kolarova, Commercial Specialist, Sofia E-mail: tsvetanka.kolarova@mail.doc.gov

ITU TELECOM WORLD Conference & Trade Show in Switzerland, October 12-18, 2003. The quadrennial ITU TELECOM WORLD (http://www.itu.int/WORLD2003 ) is the world’s premier event in telecommunications. TELECOM WORLD is an excellent opportunity for government, regulators and the telecommunications industry from around the world. For more information, please contact Carmela Mammas at carmela.mammas@mail.doc.gov.

HostEx 2003, Toronto Canada, October 19-2 1, 2003 . HostEx is Canada's largest hospitality trade show. For more information see: http://www.hostexshow.com.

Systems Trade Show, October 20-24, 2003 , Munich, Germany. This IT trade show is an outstanding opportunity for international exhibitors to present themselves in first-rate European surroundings and make contacts at the highest possible business and/or decision-making level. For information on how the Department of Commerce can help U.S. firms participate in SYSTEMS please contact Doris Groot, Commercial Specialist, Munich, at doris.groot@mail.doc.gov

European Banking & Insurance Fair, October 24-27, 2003, Frankfurt, Germany . The European Banking & Insurance Fair is the leading European technology show for banks and financial institutions. For more information on how the U.S. Department of Commerce is helping U.S. firms participate in this fair, contact Elizabeth Powell, Commercial Specialist, Frankfurt, Tel: 49-69-956204-17, Elizabeth.Powell@mail.doc.gov.

Biotechnica Hannover, Oct 7-Oct 9, 2003, Hannover, Germany. Biotechnica Hannover features: medicine and pharmaceuticals, agriculture, nutrition, the environment, bioengineering, equipment and services. For more information please see, http://www.biotechnica.de

bioLOGIC USA 2003, The Radisson Hotel, Boston October 15-16. For more information please see, http://www.pharma-rd.net/2003/biol_US

International Biotech 2003, November 25-26, 2003, London. 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. Entrance to the exhibition and features is free of charge for all visitors. See: http://www.internationalbiotech.com

ExpoComm Mexico 2004, February 10-13, 2004: The U.S. Embassy in Mexico, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and E.J. Krause are pleased to announce the second USA Pavilion at EXPO COMM MEXICO 2004, Mexico’s leading telecom, IT, wireless, networking, and Internet technologies exhibition and conference. Participation in the USA Pavilion is limited to U.S. companies or their representatives and subject to approval by the U.S. Department of Commerce. For information contact Beth Horton, E.J. Krause at 301-493-5500 x3312, or Horton@ejkrause.com or see http://www.export.gov/infotech

tRADE missions

Governor Baldacci’s First Gubernatorial Trade Mission to Ireland and Northern Ireland: In October, 2003 Governor Baldacci and the Maine International Trade Center will be taking business leaders to meet key companies in the growing markets of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Currently Maine exports over US$81 million of products to the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. Opportunities for trade in this region are wide ranging, with best prospects in Information Technology and Electronics; Medical Equipment and Biotechnology; Construction Services and Transport Equipment; Seafood and Consumer Goods; and Telecommunications Equipment and Motor Vehicle Parts. The Maine International Trade Center will be organizing customized one-on-one business appointments through USDOC Gold Key Services as well as local trade organizations. Cities to be visited include Derry , Coleraine, Belfast, Dublin and Shannon. For more information on the October Gubernatorial Mission, please contact: Janine Bisaillon-Cary (207) 541-7412 or email jbcary@mitc.com

Business Development Mission, Romania and Bulgaria: July 14-19, 2003, Led by Deputy Secretary of Commerce Samuel Bodman. 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

Food Processing and Packaging Trade Mission to Southeast Asia: August 11-19, 2003. The trade mission will take place in Hanoi, Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Thailand, and Manila, Philippines. The Commercial Service will provide an extensive market briefing, schedule one-on-one appointments with potential business partners for each participant, and arrange a reception to introduce the participants to key business and government officials in the food processing sector. For more information contact Monica McFarlane at (202) 482-3364 or See: http://www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/food_vietnam_thailand_philippines_0803.html

Virtual IT Trade Mission, September 1, 2003, Egypt. Egypt's total IT market annual growth rate in the last two years reached 25 percent, and the market is expected to grow at roughly 16 percent annually during the coming three years. For information on this show, contact: Edward Yagi, Deputy Senior Commercial Officer, Cairo, at Edward.Yagi@mail.doc.gov or Hend El-Sineity, Commercial Specialist, Cairo at Hend.El-Sineity@mail.doc.gov.

Press Releases

Guangdong to Invest $2.63 Billion in Controlling Solid Waste Pollution . The Guangdong Provincial Environment Protection Bureau has issued a plan to control solid waste pollution. The new plan includes 12 projects with a projected investment of nearly $2.63 billion. Guangdong is faced with a serious solid waste pollution problem; according to government statistics, solid waste generated in Guangdong amounted to 46.34 million tons in 2000. However, the province only has the capacity to treat 20 million tons of solid waste a year. Source: Zhujiang Environment News, 03/19/2003 - Translated by Foreign Commercial Service, Guangzhou.

2nd Annual SBIR Summer Session on Thursday, July 17, 2003 at the Augusta Civic Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is an opportunity to hear in-depth SBIR program presentations from: the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Defense. You may also chose to talk one-on-one with the federal program managers about your technology and how it may fit into their programs. To ensure your space now, contact Leanne Bourgeois at lbourgeois@mainetechnology.org. To register online see, https://fs7.formsite.com/SBIRworkshops/SummerSession/secure_index.html

Target Technology Center Seminars: Why Looks Do Matter (Thursday, July 17); and How to Effectively Write Technical Descriptions of Your Product (Thursday, July 24). Location: Target Technology Center, 20 Godfrey Drive, Orono. Time: 12:00 - 2:00. Cost: $16.00 per seminar (payable the day of the seminar), no charge for Target Center Tenants and Affiliate Members. Lunch: Seminars include lunch. Registration: Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required. To pre-register call the Center at 866-6500 or contact Debbie Neuman, at dneuman@maine.edu

USITC Releases Reports Concerning Impact of FTAs with Singapore and Chile. On June 9, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) released its reports assessing the economic impact of the comprehensive bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) that the President has entered into with Singapore and Chile. For more information see, http://www.usitc.gov/er/nl2003/er0609aa2.htm. For a report on the U.S.-Singapore FTA see, ftp://ftp.usitc.gov/pub/reports/studies/pub3603.PDF. For a report on the U.S.-Chile FTA see, ftp://ftp.usitc.gov/pub/reports/studies/pub3605.PDF

Pop!Tech 2003: Sea-Change, October 16-19, 2003, in Camden, Maine. Pop!Tech is about the breakthroughs occurring right now in many fields that will alter human life and the experience of living on this planet and beyond long into the future. MESDA members are eligible for a $900 discount. For more information see, https://www.poptech.org/index.cfm?friend=xRMh9xT

Environmental Technology Company Wins Development Award: BiODE, Inc. of Westbrook has been awarded an $80,000 Development Award by the Maine Technology Institute. The project will fund the "Commercialization of a Solid State Viscometer". For more information, see www.biode.com

National Symposium Highlights Maine Incubation Program. A national symposium on environmental innovation highlighted the Center for Environmental Enterprise in South Portland (www.ceemaine.org) as a case study of a regional business incubation program that is successfully advancing environmental technology.

Domestic Demand for Engineering Plastics To Surge . According to a recent update from the China Engineering Plastic Industry Association, both the production and demand for engineering plastics were booming in China during the first five months this year. Domestic output rose 40% compared to the same period in 2002. It is expected that the market demand for the five basic engineering plastics will reach 800,000 tons this year. Source: China Chemical Industry Newspaper, 06/08/2003 - Translated by Yue Cao, U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, China.

Positive Arab Reaction to Proposed U.S.-Middle East Free Trade Area. On June 23, Secretary of State Colin Powell said that the U.S. has received enthusiastic responses from numerous Arab governments to President Bush's proposal to build a U.S.-Middle East Free Trade Area by 2013. For more information see, http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:52:496680657:753

USTR to Move Ahead on WTO Case against EU Biotech Regime. The Bush administration is moving forward with a WTO challenge to the EU moratorium on approvals of new biotechnology products after WTO consultations failed to resolve the dispute, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Richard Mills stated. In May, the U.S. joined Argentina, Canada and Egypt with the support of nine other countries in seeking the consultations, a procedural requirement before requesting a WTO dispute-settlement panel. For more information see, http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:52:857619970:748

Bush Administration Issues Policy Bulletin on Softwood Lumber. The Commerce Department issued a policy bulletin that outlines the standards for a market-based timber sales system which provides the basis for a durable solution to the decades-old U.S.-Canada dispute regarding softwood lumber. If a Canadian province believes it has made the necessary changes to meet these standards, the policy bulletin allows that province to apply for a changed circumstance review to try to qualify for revocation of the current countervailing duty order. For more information see, http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:52:857619970:745

GAO Offers Free Database Covering China's WTO Commitments. On June 13, the General Accounting Office (GAO) issued a letter (pdf) to members of Congress and executive branch agencies to introduce a new electronic database (zip file) on the major components of China's WTO accession commitments. For more information see, http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:52:857619970:744

CHINA : 2008 Olympic Games-related trade leads available. The U.S. Department of Commerce in Beijing publishes an electronic newsletter highlighting business opportunities relating to the 2008 Olympic Games as news becomes available. U.S.-based companies interested in this mailing list should send an email with full contact information and business scope to Beijing.Office.Box@mail.doc.gov

USEFUL WEBSITES

2003 USTR Report on Foreign Trade Barriers. http://www.ustr.gov/reports/nte/2003/index.htm

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
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Website: http://www.mitc.com/Trade_Bulletin/April28.htm