MITC Trade Bulletin

  The Maine International Trade Center's Electronic News Service
  Tuesday, June 6, 2006

Sponsored by

MITC PROGRAMS

Join the Maine International Trade Center for Europe's largest Home, Garden & Leisure Exposition September 17-19, 2006 in Birmingham, U.K. Display in MITC's Maine Booth at the GLEE outdoor living show and market your product to over 28,000 European and international buyers. This is an excellent and cost effective opportunity for Maine companies to gain international exposure for their products, meet buyers, and develop new markets. Companies in the garden products, outdoor furniture, lawn and garden machinery, pet supplies and outdoor living products industries should consider this unique opportunity. Grants are also available for qualified Maine manufacturers. For more details see www.mitc.com or contact Cory Crocker at 541-7418 or crocker@mitc.com.

OTHER PROGRAMS

Lewiston-Auburn B to B Trade Show

Thursday, June 15, 2006 ~ 9:30AM - 5:30 PM
The Colisee, Lewiston

Organized by the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council, the Androscoggin Business to Business Trade Show is recognized as one of the most dynamic and well-organized shows of the year, and will feature timely seminars, prize give-aways, and an After Hours reception featuring giant puppets and live jazz. The trade show attracts nearly 2,500 people and nearly 200 exhibitors. The show sold out in early March, a record for exhibit space sales. For more information, visit www.economicgrowth.org or contact Paul Badeau at 784-0161.

TRADE ALERTS

EU Regulation outlining 14% retaliatory tariffs on certain imported US goods to be withdrawn: US Congress voted to repeal the FSC grandfathering benefits for sales contracts which was the EU's primary impetus for initiating the tariffs. The Commission will now suspend these additional customs duties. Timing of a repeal is unclear but if duties are collected beginning May 16, it is our understanding that they will be retroactively refunded once the new regulation is enacted. For more details contact Jennifer Kane, Commercial Attaché, US Mission to the European Union, US Commercial Service, Tel: +32 (0)2 508 28 40, www.buyusa.gov/europeanunion.

United States and Peru sign trade promotion agreement: U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman and Peruvian Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Alfredo Ferrero Diez Canseco signed the United States - Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA). For more information please see: www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/April/United_States_Peru_Sign_Trade_Promotion_Agreement.html

South Africa scrapped a 5% duty on steel imports, nearly six weeks after it said it would do so: www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3237888

TRADE EVENTS

MEDIC 2006: Dusseldorf, Germany, November 15-18, 2006

MEDICA 2006 is the largest and most prestigious medical technology show in the world, regular exhibit space is always at a premium and companies often struggle to stand out among thousands of companies. The US Commercial Service's CEO program is your alternative to booth space. For additional information and registration, click here: www.buyusa.gov/eme/medica_ceo.html

1st Melaka International Trade & Investment Fair: June 20-23, 2006

In June 2006 the State Government of Melaka will host an important international event, the "Melaka International Trade & Investment Fair 2006", (MITIF). The 4-day event at the Melaka International Trade Centre is strictly a business to business event. www.melakatrade.com.my

American Real Estate and Services (AREAS): Hong Kong, September 27-29, 2006

The American Real Estate and Services (AREAS) pavilion will promote specific commercial, industrial and residential real estate portfolios as well as highlight services available to support real estate transactions. http://www.buyusa.gov/hongkong/en/areas_main.html

2006 Western Russia and Siberia Forest, Mill & Industry Tour: September 16-30, 2006

http://bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/bisdoc/0605woodtour.pdf

LesDrevMash - Forestry/Woodworking Machinery: Moscowm, September 12-16, 2006

Organizer: ZAO Expocentre
http://www-eng.expocentr.ru/site/213/

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, visit: http://www.mitc.com/Trade_Bulletin/2006/TBTradeShows.htm

TRADE MISSIONS

Electric Power Mission to the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand: June 22-30, 2006

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. Commercial Service, Office of Global Trade Programs is organizing an Electric Power Trade Mission to Manila, Philippines; Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and Bangkok, Thailand.

Agriculture Trade Mission to Kazakhstan: July 23-28, 2006
Join US Department of Agriculture and meet with Kazakhstan government officials interested in promoting US agribusiness investment and trade. Please contact Charles Raether, BISNIS Country Manager for Kazakhstan by phone 202-482-2022 or e-mail: charles.raether@mail.doc.gov.

Eastern Mediterranean Table Top Exhibition in Jordan, Israel & Turkey: November 12-17, 2006

Questions and inquiries about the program should be directed to Sherwin Pomerantz, Chairperson, American State Offices Association at sherwin@atid-edi.com.

PRESS RELEASES

On April 26 Canada and the U.S. have agreed on a framework deal to put the decades-old softwood lumber dispute behind them - but it's a proposal that could prove to be a hard sell to lumber-producing provinces.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060426/softwood_deal_060426/20060426?hub=TopStories

USDA announces $20 million available for distance learning and telemedicine in rural communities

Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr today announced the availability of $20 million in grants to rural communities to strengthen distance learning and telemedicine programs in rural America. Applications for the $20 million in grants must be received by June 12, 2006 and will compete nationally for funding. To Read Full Article Please go to: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2006/04/0127.xml

U.S. welcomes Chinese action on key trade issues

China committed to addressing a number of U.S. trade concerns in three areas: enhancing access of U.S. companies and farmers and ranchers to the Chinese market; improving protection of intellectual property rights in China; and moving toward a transparent and market-oriented system of government procurement in China. To Read Full Article Please go to: http://www.commerce.gov/opa/press/Secretary_Gutierrez/2006_Releases/April/11_US-Welcomes_China_Action_KeyTradeIssues.htm

U.S. Exports to Chile nearly double since 2004 Free-Trade Agreement

The Commerce Department today reported that total bilateral trade between the United States and Chile rose 85% since the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA) went into effect in January of 2004. To read full article please go to: http://trade.gov/press/press_releases/2006/chile_040606.asp

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Art meets Industry at TRANSFORMIT.
Transformit is a team of craftspeople, designers, and stagehands, led by a sculptor. Transformit is currently looking for an individual experienced in a sales support role. Excellent phone manner, ability to multi-task, computer skills, and writing are essential. Must be able to speak and write German- French and Spanish are helpful. Must able to take direction, but comfortable working independently. This position has competitive pay and benefits. Send resume/ cover letter to Jamie Basile, Account Manager, Transformit, 33 Sanford Drive, Gorham, ME 04038, or by email to: jbasile@transformitdesign.com. No phone calls please. (www.transformitdesign.com)

USEFUL WEBSITES

As you know Maine International Trade Day was held on June 1, 2006 and focused on the theme: Connections 2006: Leveraging Maine's International Infrastructure and Logistics. Please refer to the websites below for helpful logistics information.

http://www.portofportlandmaine.org - Port of Portland, Maine

http://www.maineturnpike.com - Maine Turnpike Authority

http://www.flybangor.com - Bangor International Airport

http://www.maineports.com - Maine Port Authority

http://www.allenrailroad.com/shortlinetrader/St_Lawrence_&_Atlantic_Railroad.htm - Saint Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad

http://www.portofeastport.org - Eastport Port Authority

http://www.massport.com/default.aspx - Massachusetts Port Authority

For more information about the Maine International Trade Center, please visit our website or contact us today.

Website: www.mitc.com

Bangor Office: 207-990-3161

Lewiston Office: 207-753-0574

Portland Office: 207-541-7400