MITC
Trade Bulletin
The Maine
International Trade Center's Electronic News Service - A
Members Only Benefit
Friday, September 23 , 2005
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Friday, September 23 , 2005
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CONTENTS:
OTHER PROGRAMS
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MITC PROGRAMS
October 13, 2005 This seminar is a key opportunity for companies that are just beginning to export or for new staff at companies that currently export. Topics to be covered include Incoterms, common international terms of payment, export documentation, logistics options and available export finance programs. This top-to-bottom review includes all the key components of arranging export shipments including the importance of proper export documentation, how to insure against damage or loss in transit, and how to avoid the pitfalls of exporting. Essentials of Exporting will be held at The Colisee in Lewiston on October 13th from 1:00-5:00 pm. For more information, contact Ashleigh Arledge at (207) 541-7455 or arledge@mitc.com.
Grand Opening of MITC Greater China Desk In order to better facilitate access for Maine businesses to markets in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, MITC has opened a Greater China Desk in its Lewiston/Auburn regional office. Heading up the Greater China Desk is Stephen Franck, the new Director of the MITC regional office. The Desk provides technical assistance, performs market research, identifies trade leads, and organizes Trade Missions. Services include providing information on import/export regulations, shipping and logistics, and matchmaking opportunities. The Greater China Desk also takes advantage of the China resources available through MITC's affiliation with the Eastern Trade Council's China Office. For more information, contact Stephen Franck in Lewiston at (207) 753-0574; franck@mitc.com or visit http://www.mitc.com/Services-China.html. OTHER PROGRAMS 19th Annual World Trade Expo & Governor's Conference on Trade in New Hampshire The World Trade Expo offers concurrent sessions on importing, exporting, venture capital, joint ventures and global sourcing. There will also be specific sessions on China. Key note speakers include New Hampshire Governor John Lynch, the Director of Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School, Michael E. Porter, and the President of DEKA Research and Development, Dean Kamen. The event is run by the New Hampshire International trade Association on September 27, 2005 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information visit: www.nhita.org.
TRADE ALERTS
U.S. maritime security plan approved The president's Homeland Security Council approved the National Strategy for Maritime Security during its meeting Tuesday morning. Department of Homeland Security spokesman Jarrod Agen said the strategy is based on three major principles: freedom of the seas, the uninterrupted flow of commerce, and good border management: facilitating the movement of legitimate commerce, while preventing the movement of dangerous goods or people. The strategy was developed after the White House issued Homeland Security Policy Directive No. 13 last December. As conceived, the strategy was to incorporate eight implementation plans. Details of the strategy are posted on the White House website: www.whitehouse.gov.
U.S., Thailand in open-skies deal U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta and Thailand 's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Kantathi Suphamongkhon on September 19 signed an open-skies agreement freeing up air services between the two countries. In September 2003 the U.S. and Thailand reached agreement to remove restrictions on all-cargo services between and beyond the two countries. The new agreement also lifts restrictions on passenger services, allowing airlines from both countries to select routes and destinations based on consumer demand, without limits on the number of carriers, flights, or cities that can be served. TRADE EVENTS China Trade Events 2005
Should you have more specific interest in one of these events, please reference www.export.gov/china/trade events for more information.
America-Georgia Business Council 8th Annual Meeting: "Georgia: Potential for Growth", October 20-21, 2005, Chicago, Illinois. With the recent political developments and its close ties with America, Georgia has become fertile ground for U.S. investment. The America-Georgia Business Counsel offers speakers and participants the opportunity to discuss the potential for growth in Georgia in the context of recent political and economic developments. Confirmed speakers include Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli, Presidernt of America Georgia Business Council and Director at Hudson Institute S. Emders Wimbush, Head of Georgian National Oil Company Sakmavtobi Vano Nakaidze, Head of Georgian Railway David Onoprishvili, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mat Bryza, Head of BP Georgia Wref Diggings, CEO of Metromedia International Group Mark Hauf, Senior Fellow of Jamestoen Foundation and Columnist of Wall Street Journal Vladimir Socor, Ambassador of Georgia to US Levan Mikeladze, Ambassador David Smith, Chairman of GMT Group, and George Tavadze, Vice Chairman of TBC Group Badri Japaridze. For more information, please visit: www.agbdc.com 12th Annual CIS and Eastern Europe Business Forum, October 27-29, 2005 - Tucson, Arizona The forum will provide an up-to-date analysis of political, economic, and legal aspects of business ventures in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe and will present case studies of successful American businesses and their strategies. This symposium is designed for those who are planning to do business in countries of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe or who are currently doing business there. The program includes case studies of successful businesses, presentations on support programs available, and analyses of current legal, political, cultural, and economic issues. For more information, please visit: http://russian.arizona.edu/annualbizconf.htm Eurasian Chemical Scientists at the Annual Meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), October 30-November 4, 2005 - Cincinnati, Ohio. Building on the success of the 2004 Moscow Chemical Science and Commercialization Conference, the Department of State, in conjunction with the International Science and Technology Center in Moscow (ISTC) and the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU) has invited chemical experts from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine to present their latest research findings and discuss regional business opportunities during the upcoming AIChE meeting (www.aiche.org/annual) in Cincinnati. Three sessions will be devoted to science and commercialization in Eurasia:
Contact: Aija Straumanis, 202-736-7694, StraumanisA@state.gov
Government Procurement Conference of the Americas, October 31-November 2, 2005 - Atlanta, Georgia (U.S.) Looking for new export opportunities in the Americas? Attend the Government Procurement Conference of the Americas in Atlanta, where companies can learn more about how and what governments are purchasing. The Canadian Commercial Corporation, the U.S. General Services Administration and the Organization of American States are organizing the event. Exporters who attend the conference will learn about government procurement practices and get industry perspectives on doing business in countries throughout the Americas. Speakers will address topics that include how the Internet is making government procurement more transparent and fair; the impact of free trade agreements; and opportunities for small business participation in government procurement. For more information, go to www.fgpca.org. TRADE SHOWS MITC has compiled a list of trade shows of interest to our members based on industry sector and region. To view this list, click on: http://www.mitc.com/Trade_Bulletin/2005/TBTradeShows.htm TRADE MISSIONS
Mission, Trade Show and Conference: Off-Shoring and Outsourcing in South America, October 11-14, 2005. A great opportunity for American companies to meet with over 20,000 of the key executives who decide investment, joint-ventures, business and purchasing for distributors, wholesalers, chains, retailers, industrial, food & beverage manufacturers, logistic companies, financial & service companies and exporters in the region, with a total purchase power of over 20 billion dollars. These trade shows are the most important events of their kind hosted in South America for several years in a row and receive participants from Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, Ecuador among other countries. If you are interested, please contact the New York Commercial Office by telephone at 201-861-3359 or online at http://www.oficinacomercialny.com/brochure The Benefits of International Cooperation between Foreign Suppliers and Russian Leasing Companies, October 13-14, 2005 - St. Petersburg, Russia. The North-West Leasing Association, with support from the U.S. Commercial Service, St. Petersburg, will offer this event that will promote leasing of modern equipment on the Russian market and establish personal contacts between foreign suppliers and Russian leasing companies. For more information, please click: www.assocleasing.ru/conference CAFTA Business Development Mission Guatemala, El Salvador & Honduras, October 16-22, 2005. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez will lead a senior-level U.S. business delegation to Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, October 16-22, 2005, to highlight new opportunities for U.S. businesses in Central America resulting from the passage of the Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). With CAFTA, U.S. companies stand much to gain from open markets, expanded business opportunities, and stronger trade ties with Central America. The CAFTA region is the second-largest export market in Latin America and the 10th largest market in the world for U.S. exports. Last year, U.S. exports to the region surpassed $15 billion, and nearly half of the region's imports are from the United States. Under CAFTA, more than eighty percent of U.S. exports of industrial, consumer, and agricultural products to Central America will become duty-free, with remaining tariffs phased out over 10 years. For more information click: http://www.buyusa.gov/centralamerica/en/caftamissionhome.html The U.S.-Russia Homeland Security Trade Mission, October 17-21, 2005 - Moscow, Russia. Organized by Equity International, this mission offers an opportunity to enter the Russian defense and homeland security marketplace by participating in the U.S. Pavilion at one of the biggest and most prominent security exhibitions in Europe - InterPolitex (www.interpolitex.ru/en/). For information, please see www.equityintl.us The 2005 State of Maine Gubernatorial Trade Mission to France, October 22-29, 2005. France is the world's fifth largest industrialized economy and the eighth largest trading partner for the United States. Maine's exports to France totaled $18.5 million in 2004, a 36% increase from 2003. Mission benefits include customized one-on-one business appointments, in-country market research, pre-mission videoconferencing and networking events. If you are interested, please contact Cory Crocker, Trade Mission Coordinator, by telephone at 207-541-7418 or by e-mail at crocker@mitc.com Environmental Technologies Trade Mission to Central Europe, November 7-11, 2005, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic. For more information please contact Bill Cline at Bill.Cline@mail.doc.gov. PRESS RELEASES MITC Greater China Desk China Desk Aims to Boost Trade in the Portland Press Herald (9/23/05) http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/business/stories/050923chinadesk.shtml Maine's International Trade Looking Bright on Maine Public Broadcasting Network's Maine Things Considered (9/22/05) http://www.mpbn.net/radio/stories.html Driving up municipal road quality in Serbia EU to help upgrade Belgrade's infrastructure World Business Visa Center Opens UMaine Students Explore International Marketing Challenges and Opportunities Paul Myer, the course instructor, has been an international marketing executive for major corporations. He is looking for member companies or individuals who would be interested in assisting the student teams with their projects. While students will be initiating contact with some companies, if you are willing to offer students some assistance - for example, agreeing to a telephone or on-line interview, providing them with some product marketing documentation, or other such assistance - your participation and support would greatly enhance this experience. The student teams are also looking for volunteers to sit on panels of executives that will review their final project oral presentations. Contact Paul at paul.myer@maine.edu or 207.712.4556. USEFUL WEBSITES USA EXPORT IMPORT PORTAL - Trade and Economic Statistics MITC Trade Bulletin is a members only benefit. For information about MITC membership, please visit our website or contact us today. |
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