MITC Trade Bulletin

Attorneys from Norman, Hanson & DeTroy and Pierce Atwood will share their expertise at this free seminar to provide an overview of legal entities and issues in Germany and Italy. Important information on intellectual property, patenting and trade marking regulations in the EU will also be presented.

Airfreight and Perishable Options Roundtable

Tuesday, September 21, 12:00 - 1:30 in Portland

Meet with Maine Department of Transportation and Bangor International Airport representatives to learn about existing airfreight logistics and an exciting potential new option for shipping your perishable products to Europe and Asia.

Food and Beverage Marketing

Tuesday, September 21, 2:00 - 4:30 in Portland

UK Trade & Investment joins MITC to present a market briefing on trends and opportunities in the British retail and supermarket sectors. An overview of the market sector structure; consumer bases of the chains; and consumption and purchasing trends will be presented. This program also features Suzanne Milshaw from FoodExport USA who will discuss the USDA market access program – providing marketing monies for Maine food companies involved in exports and certain domestic activities.

TRADE ALERTS

Dominican Republic Joins CAFTA
The DR-CAFTA is a regional trade agreement among all seven signatories (U.S., Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica), and will contribute to further regional integration. The Administration plans to submit a single legislative package to Congress to implement the new trade agreement with the five Central American countries and the Dominican Republic. Combined total goods trade between the U.S. and the original five CAFTA countries was $23.6 billion in 2003. The addition of the Dominican Republic represents an additional $8.7 billion in annual two-way trade, for a combined total trade relationship of approximately $32 billion. Most U.S. products will enter the DR duty-free under this new agreement. For more information visit http://www.USTR.gov.

U.S. Still Dissatisfied With Japanese Apple Restrictions
U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick announced July 19^th that the United States asked a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel to review whether Japan has complied with earlier WTO rulings against its restrictions on imported U.S. apples. The United States is also seeking authorization to impose trade sanctions against Japan totaling $143.4 million, which is the approximate amount of annual harm to the U.S. economy caused by Japan’s measure on U.S. apples.

EU Retaliatory Tariffs scheduled to increase to 10% on August 1^st MITC has studied the effects of the EU Retaliatory Tariffs, and the Maine industries that are most affected by these tariffs are footwear, industrial machinery, leather, seafood and paper. Tariff Background: On March 1, 2004, the EU began to impose retaliatory trade sanctions on a number of U.S. products, as a result of the WTO ruling that the FSC/ETI provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code constitute a prohibited export subsidy and are in violation of WTO rules. After years of litigation, in May 2003, the WTO Dispute Settlement Body authorized the EU to impose sanctions on $4.043 billion worth of U.S. exports, if the United States fails to comply with the WTO decision. The EU will initially impose an additional duty of 5 percent on 1,608 U.S. products. The duty will rise automatically by 1 percentage point each month until it reaches a ceiling of 17 percent in March 2005. At that point, the EU will make a determination on its next course of action if the United States still has not complied with the WTO ruling. The Administration and Congress continue to work towards repealing the FSC/ETI provisions in order to achieve U.S. compliance with the WTO ruling. For a Full List of Products affected by the new EU tariffs (listed by eight-digit CN codes):
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2003/l_328/l_32820031217en00030012.pdf

Trade Events

2004 Invest in Taipei and Business Alliance Forum, August 12th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Boston, MA. Welcoming a delegation from Taipei including Taipei city government officials, IT/ communications, biotechnology and venture capital executives. This free event is a great opportunity to learn more about the exciting business investment and development opportunities that are available in Taipei, Taiwan. For more information or to register, contact Ellen Chen, Senior Commercial Officer, Taipei Economic and Culture Office in Boston, 99 Summer Street, Suite 801, Boston, MA 02110, Tel: 617-737-8272, Fax: 617-737-8275, E-mail: commerce@tecoboston.org, URL: www.tecoboston.org

International Conference on Advance Technologies for Homeland Security (ICATHS '04), August 12-13, 2004. ICATHS'04 is a continuation of the highly successful ICATHS'03 held last year on the campus of the University of Connecticut. ICATHS'03 drew a large audience from across the nation and offered its participants unprecedented networking opportunities with senior-level decision makers from government and the private sector. This year ICATHS will again host a roster of nationally-recognized speakers. Speakers will include senior representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, the Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency (DAPRA), the National Science Foundation, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and other federal agencies, laboratories, and industrial and academic groups. For more information please visit www.engr.uconn.edu/icaths

The U.S. Commercial Service in Jerusalem is organizing a unique furniture catalog show, August 17-19, 2004 that should be of interest to American furniture exporters. Our aim is to tap the roughly $100 million Palestinian furniture market, and, in addition, to explore interest in your product in the Israeli-Arab market, representing about one-fifth of the population of Israel. If you are an American furniture manufacturer or exporter and are interested in market opportunities in the West Bank/Gaza and the Israeli-Arab markets, this is an extremely low-cost and effective way for you to evaluate interest in your product. For more information, please visit: www.buyusa.gov/westbank/en/furniture.html

First Annual Chemical Science Commercialization Conference Moscow, Russia Renaissance Hotel, September 27-29, 2004 Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bio-Chem Redirect Program. Meet select chemical and production institutes in Russia and Eurasia; get an overview of their technical capabilities; learn about their collaborative interests. Presents promising opportunities in: organic and inorganic chemistry, drug discovery and development, polymer chemistry and catalysis, synthetic chemistry, analytical chemistry, chemical production, toxicology testing, occupational risk assessment, environmental testing. Complete information available at: http://biistate.net/chemconference/

International Congress "Eurasian Economic Community - Business America" September 21-22, 2004, International Trading Center, Moscow - 300 leading international investors (investment and welfare funds, banks, financial companies and financial organizations) and 500 EurAsEC companies with promising investment projects are taking part in the Congress. Participation of key officials of economic ministries, government, political and business elite is expected as well. Presentation of EurAsEC member-states and an Exhibition of Investment projects are taking place alongside ventilation of key investment issues. Participants are most welcome to demonstrate investment projects in innovative technologies and telecommunications, fuel and energy complexes, construction, agribusiness, tourism, financial services, and trade. Contact Email: info@evrazes.org, fax.: +7 (812) 312 1928, http://dm.evrazes.org

Russia GOST-R Certification Seminar, October 7-8, 2004 in Las Vegas, NV. The objective of the seminar will be to give U.S. exporters better understanding of the Russian Federation certification processes. This event will also offer a great opportunity for face-to-face discussions with representatives of Rostest - one of the key certification services providers; the Health Ministry of the Russian Federation, which regulates hygienic certification; and the Russian Federal Customs Committee, which enforces standards on imports. On the second day of the Seminar, the participants will as well have an opportunity to discuss marketing strategies with a prominent Russian marketologist, Dr. Leonid Ivanov. More information is available from Gregory Temkin, gt@rosintorg.com, (914) 309-1042, or online at http://www.rosstandard.com/seminar.htm.

CIS and Eastern Europe Business Forum The 11^th annual forum will take place November 4-6, 2004 at the University of Arizona in Tucson. For more information, contact Roza Simkhovich at roza@dakotacom.net, (520) 298-6599 or visit the site for last year’s conference at http://russian.arizona.edu/business

Second Annual National Forum on Trade Policy December 9-10, 2004 in Durham, NC. The Maine International Trade Center is forming a delegation of five participants to attend the Second Annual National Forum on Trade Policy. Featured sessions include: prospects for U.S. trade exports; impact of international trade on national economies; findings of first bi-annual survey on off shoring and the implications for jobs; dislocated workers and community colleges on the front line; international procurement policy issues impacting states. For more information: http://faculty.fuqua.duke.edu/ciber/programs/nftp.html. If you are interested in joining the Maine delegation, please contact Richard Coyle, President, Maine International Trade Center at coyle@mitc.com.

Trade Shows

Acadian International Exposition 2004 August 15-17, 2004, Halifax, Nova Scotia. This event offers a unique opportunity to expand your existing markets, find new markets for your products and services, develop business partnerships and new business contacts, in France, New England, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, Louisiana, Quebec and the rest of Canada. For more information, http://www.expoacadie2004.com/welcome/index.html or contact Joseph Cottreau at 1-800-580-1311, Email: expo2004@cdene.ns.ca

Comdex-Secesu Tradeshow August 17-20, Brazil. This is the Brazilian version of the popular U.S. Comdex tradeshows. Comdex-Secesu is the largest IT tradeshow in Latin America. For more information on this tradeshow and the IT industry in Brazil please contact Mr. Bernhard J. Smid, Commercial Specialist (Bernhard.Smid@mail.doc.gov)

Commercial Vehicle and Bus Trade Fair, Sept. 9-2, 2004, Moscow, Russia. Due to little competition from Russian truck manufacturers, growing freight volumes and an annual replacement demand for heavy trucks and trailers, conditions are favorable for new market entrants. Contact: Ken Cardelle at Kcardelle@iegexpo.com or see www.iegexpo.com

Batimat (Construction Materials), September 13–16, 2004, St. Petersburg, Russia. The building products industry is currently one of the most rapidly developing sectors of the Russian economy. In addition, there is significant and increasing interest from Russian distributors in American building products. Batimat is one of two major trade shows devoted to building products in Northwest Russia. For more information contact: Alexander Kansky, US Commercial Service, St. Petersburg, +7 (812)-326-2581, alexander.kansky@mail.doc.gov

FHC2004 Shanghai, Sept 14-17, 2004, Shanghai, China. The 12^th international exhibition for the foods, drink, hospitality, foodservice, bakery and retail industry. Robert Chang, Tel: 415-433-3072, email: comtours@aol.com.

International Powder/Bulk Conference & Exhibition 2004, October 12-14, 2004, Shanghai, China. Contact Mr. Xing Lan Senior Director, Worldwide Exhibitions Service Ltd.(WES), 801,Blk B, Nanzheng Bldg,580 Nanjing Rd,(W), Shanghai (200041), China, Tel: +86-21 52342119 Fax: +86-21 52340649, Email: xing.lan@sh-wes.com, or visit the website for more information: http://www.bulk-online.com/

International Lighting Fair, October 18-23, 2004, Guzhen, China. For more information, please visit www.lightingcapital.cn.

USA PAVILION at SIAL PARIS 2004, October 17-21, 2004, Paris, France. This event is a USDA-endorsed food products exhibition. For more information, please contact Sharon Cook, USDA Trade Show Office, (202)720-3425, www.fas.usda.gov

All Asia Food Expo, October 26 -27, 2004, New York City, NY. All Asia Food Expo is a trade event featuring Asian food and beverage products organized by Diversified Business Communications, in Portland, ME. For more information: www.divbusiness.com or contact Julie Bernier at jbernier@divcom.com

China-Pharm, November 17-20, Beijing, China. Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceutical Machinery and Equipment. For more information, visit www.mdna.com/medical.html.

Ingredients Russia, November 23-26, 2004, Moscow, Russia. Seventh annual international show and conference for the food processing sector. Present food ingredient products to key importers, distributors, and processors in a large, expanding market. For more information, please contact Tobitha Jones, USDA/FAS at (202)690-1182, Tobitha.Jones@usda.gov

Zdravookhranenie 2004, November 29-December 3, 2004, Moscow, Russia. Russia’s largest healthcare industry exhibition with 800 exhibitors from 28 countries participating in 2003. The show features medical equipment, dental equipment and supplies, pharmaceuticals, biologically active food additives, cosmetology equipment, and equipment for fitness centers. The US Commercial Service will help American manufacturers identify possible partners in conjunction with this event. For more information, please contact Ludmila Maksimova, US Commercial Service Moscow, +7 (095) 737-5037, ludmila.maksimova@mail.doc.gov

Food & Hotel Vietnam 2004, December 2-4, 2004. An international food & drink, hotel, restaurant, bakery & foodservice equipment, supplies & services exhibition in a rapidly growing market. Endorsed by the USDA. To join the U.S. pavilion or for further information contact Christopher McCuin, Overseas Exhibition Services Ltd., +44 207 862 2109, email: cmccuin@oesallworld.com

USA PAVILION at SIRHA 2005, January 22-26, 2005, Lyon, France. Partner to the National Restaurant Association Show held in Chicago, this USDA-endorsed Food Service and Gastronomic Trade Exhibition is one of the premier international events for the food service sector. For more information, please contact Sharon Cook, USDA Trade Show Office, (202)720-3425, www.fas.usda.gov

tRADE missions

U.S. Department of Commerce’s Healthcare Technologies Trade Mission, September 13-17, 2004, to the Czech Republic, Hungary, and the Slovak Republic. Meet with prospective distributors, agents, and strategic alliance partners in these three dynamic markets - all European Union members as of May 2004. You will receive your own schedule of pre-screened, targeted appointments and further benefit from market briefings, business networking receptions, and follow-up assistance when you return. Participation is open to U.S. firms in a broad range of healthcare industry sectors. If you have general questions regarding the Trade Events List please contact Jonathan May at Jonathan.May@mail.doc.gov (202) 482-6220. http://www.export.gov/comm_svc/tradeevents.html

Egypt Tastes America, September 20-18, 2004. USDA/FAS-Sponsored Export Showcase Trade Mission to Egypt marketing food and beverage products. Limited to 10 participants. For more information contact Shani at (202) 720-2075.

Microtechnology Trade Mission to Paris and Besancon, France, September 27 - October 1, 2004. The French-American Chamber of Commerce is organizing a microtechnology trade mission centered around the MICRONORA (www.micronora.com) Trade Show in Besancon, France. MICRONORA is the largest micro-technologies trade fair in Europe and attracts more than 850 international exhibitors and 15,000 visitors from all over the world. This trade mission is designed to assist U.S. businesses in attaining their export business goals in the European market and help them in arranging one-on-one meetings with key experts, potential partners or distributors as well as to organize visits to centers such as the Microtechnology Institute. In addition, the group will spend one and a half days in Paris where they will meet with other business leaders and U.S. trade officials at the American Embassy in Paris. Contact: Vanessa Atria, Executive Director, vanessa_atria@faccne.org, 617-247-1366, http://www.faccne.org.

Information Technology Mission to Ireland, October 17-22, 2004. Undersecretary Phillip Bond of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Technology Administration will lead a Business Development Mission for Technology Industries to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland’s booming information and communications technology market has been a prime force behind the province’s growth, creating clear potential for strategic alliances. The Republic of Ireland, with its vibrant economy and educated workforce, represents an ideal market for U.S. companies seeking agents, distributors, and strategic partners for business in the expanding EU marketplace. This mission will put U.S. firms directly in touch with business opportunities in the region – including strategies for tapping into the EU market. Space is limited to the first 10 qualified applicants. Contact Project Officer Matthew Wright today: Tel: 202-482-2567 / Fax: 202-482-0178 / E-mail: matthew.wright@mail.doc.gov

State of Maine 2004 Trade Mission to Italy and Germany, November 13-20, 2004. MITC is organizing the Governor’s 2004 trade mission, which features stops in Düsseldorf and Milan. Trade mission benefits include matchmaking services, networking receptions, market briefings, and other customized services. This high-profile mission is the best way to get a foothold in the expanding European market. For more information, http://www.mitc.com/Features/GermanyItalyTradeMission.html or contact Trade Mission Coordinator Carolina Quiroz-Boutaugh, (207) 990-3161, quiroz@mitc.com

Press Releases

The Department of Commerce International Catalog Exhibitions organizers are seeking input on the itinerary for their September 2005 show in Asia. Stops are scheduled in Manila and Hanoi, and suggestions for third and fourths stops are welcome. In particular, the following itineraries are being considered: 1. Manila, Hanoi, plus New Delhi and Mumbai 2. Manila, Hanoi, plus provincial city in China, plus Taipei. Interested parties should contact Louis Quay at louis.quay@mail.doc.gov, Tel: 202-482-3973.

Virtual Tradeshow in Central Asia - ZapadInform/Western Media is creating a “Virtual Tradeshow” - a Russian-language CDROM and website of American companies with products, services, or technologies which could be exported to Russia and Central Asia. Interested parties should contact Mark A. Pitcher, ZapadInform/Western Media, Almaty, Kazakhstan, +7 (3272) 500-801, mark@zapadinform.com

Canadian-American Business Achievement Award The Canadian American Business Council is pleased to request nominations for the 2004 Canadian American Business Achievement Award. Each year, the Council seeks information about innovative and successful alliances between Canadian and American firms to recognize the benefits that the partnerships bring to both countries – in jobs, innovation, and revenue creation. These efforts culminate in the presentation of the Award for Canadian-American Business Achievement, given to two companies, one Canadian and one American, whose joint enterprise has demonstrated strong business growth and remarkable innovation, as well as the capacity to provide the partners with a global advantage. The 2004 Canadian-American Business Achievement Award and Forum will be held October 27, 2004, in Montreal, Quebec. For more information on the nomination process, please contact Wade Merritt at MITC-Bangor, (207)990-3161 or merritt@mitc.com.

French Brown Bag Lunches - The Language Exchange is joining forces with the Maine International Trade Center in offering this French Brown Bag Lunch series throughout the summer. If you are looking for additional opportunities to practice French, please come and join us for an hour of conversation every Friday. Bring an article of interest to you, a topic related to the Francophone world, or nothing at all, and join in the discussions! Time: 12 to 1 pm; Price: Free of Charge; Moderator: Valerie Guillet of The Language Exchange. Location: Longfellow Gardens, 487 Congress St. (behind Longfellow House and Maine Historical Society) on warm days. At the Trade Center, 511 Congress Street on rainy or cold days.

Maine Maritime Academy’s (MMA) Loeb-Sullivan School of International Business and Logistics will offer a series of executive workshops during the upcoming summer months at various locations in Maine. MITC MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE 10% OFF OF WORKSHOP FEES. The sessions are designed for the business professional seeking advanced knowledge of contemporary international business issues. Complete workshop overviews, fees, registration deadlines, and other specific information may be obtained online at http://ibl.mainemaritime.edu, or by contacting Maine Maritime Academy’s Loeb-Sullivan School of International Business and Logistics at 207-326-2454.

USEFUL WEBSITE

FIS.com, the web site of Fish Information & Services, is widely recognized as the standard for global seafood industry information on the Internet, offering reliable, timely, comprehensive worldwide fishing, seafood, and aquaculture information. Supporting the entire seafood industry supply chain from fishing companies and vessel owners to processors, wholesalers, and aquaculture farms, the site content includes information on seafood trends, market data and prices, a calendar of worldwide seafood industry events, and identifying business partners in foreign and developing markets. Some of the information is available free of charge, while members pay a yearly fee for full access to FIS resources.

www.fis.com

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