MITC Trade Bulletin
The Maine International Trade Center's Electronic News Service
Friday, April 7, 2006
Sponsored by
SPECIAL TRADE ALERT!
The European Union will implement punitive customs duties on selected US products beginning May 16, 2006. These additional customs duties will be at a flat rate of 14% for the selected US goods as established by the European Council Regulation 171/2005. The additional duty is to be added on top of other applicable rates.
Top Maine exports to the EU identified for the punitive tariffs include:
For a full list of selected US products to be affected by the EU retaliatory tariffs, please visit:
www.europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_028/l_02820050201en00310040.pdf
For a report by the U.S. Department of Commerce on these EU countermeasures, please visit: www.buyusa.gov/europeanunion/sanctions.html
Also, please feel free to contact us at the Maine International Trade Center for more information. We can help determine the effects of these EU punitive duties on your individual products.
MITC PROGRAMS
Manufacturing & Legal Issues in China
Thursday, April 13, 2006 ~ 2:00-4:30 pm
Maine International Trade Center, Portland
This seminar will provide key strategies and tips for Maine businesses interested in contract manufacturing in China and will also address important legal issues surrounding contracts and intellectual property rights. Come learn how you can minimize your risk when doing business with Maine's fastest growing trading partner.
Cost: $40 for MITC members and $70 for non-members. Maine State Legislators may attend free of charge. For more information on the program or to register, please visit www.mitc.com/ProgramList.html or contact Ashleigh Arledge at arledge@mitc.com or (207) 541-7455. The registration deadline is April 10, 2006. No refunds on cancellations made after this deadline. Manufacturing & Legal Issues in China is part of the Portland International Trade Education Series sponsored by Citizens Bank.
OTHER PROGRAMS
The Story of the Acadians
A Film and Panel Discussion with Brenda Jepson and Dr. Francoise Paradis
Sunday, April 9, 2006 ~ 2:00-4:00 pm (reception to follow)
Franco-American Heritage Center, Lewiston
Presented by the Franco-American Heritage Center and the Maine International Center present. For more information, visit: www.francoamericanheritage.org/Performances.html
Globalism: What it Means for America
A lecture by Senator George J. Mitchell
April 25, 2006 ~ 4:30 pm
Hannaford Lecture Hall, USM Abromson Community Education Center
Tickets: $10 ($5 for all faculty and students), contact Carla Harmon at (207) 780-4022
For more information, visit: www.usm.maine.edu/~gramlich/mitchell.htm
International Transportation Management and International Human Resource Development
The Loeb-Sullivan School of International Business & Logistics at the Maine Maritime Academy will offer two graduate level courses (International Transportation Management: & International Human Resource Development) in May & June, 2006. The IHRD course will begin May 1st. The course will be offered through an ATM site at South Portland High School (M-W 6-8:30 pm) For further details, please contact the L-S School by phone (207) 326-2454 or e-mail: gradschl@mma.edu.
Concurrent Worlds: China in the Era of Globalization
During the month of April, Bowdoin College will be presenting an outstanding series of lectures with speakers from colleges and universities in the US and Hong Kong. The presentations, which are free and open to the public, will all take place in Druckenmiller Hall, Cleveland 151. For more information and schedules, please contact Craig Dietrich at dietrich@maine.rr.com.
TRADE ALERTS
WTO rules against Canada in appeal of softwood lumber duties: Canada has lost another ruling before the World Trade Organization in its dispute with the United States over softwood lumber duties. To read full article please go to: http://finance.canada.com/bin/story?storyId=CrdcDWeabyNvZAw5LC3mTmZuWmJGWmJm&Topic=Canadian_Press&Type=home&Heading=News from Canadian Press
Dramatic Increase in Penalties for EAR and IEEPA Violations: With the signing of the USA Patriot Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R. 3199) on March 9, 2006, the basic civil penalty for violation of the sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which provided statutory authority for the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), has been raised from $11,000 to $50,000 per violation. In addition the sentence for individuals convicted of willful violations of the law has been increased from a maximum of 10 to a maximum of 20 years in prison. For more information, visit:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c109:6:./temp/~c109YV3mWC:e166311
TRADE EVENTS
Trade Americas Security Exhibition: Ottawa, May 8-10, 2006
Expand your business by securing a partnership in Canada's dynamic security industry through the U.S. Embassy's Trade Americas Security Exhibition! http://www.buyusa.gov/canada/en/434.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
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/2005/TBTradeShows.htm
TRADE MISSIONS
Southeast Asia Environmental Technologies Trade Mission: April 24-May 3, 2006
The Southeast Asia Environmental Technologies Trade Mission offers timely opportunities for U.S. firms to tap into three of the region's fast-growing markets for U.S. environmental equipment and technology: Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. For more information please go to: http://www.export.gov/eac/show_detail_trade_events.asp?EventID=21526.
ICT Mission to Fast-Growing Asian Markets: May 14-19, 2006
To meet Southeast Asia's rising demand for innovative information and communication technologies, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Commercial Service is organizing an ICT Trade Mission to Hong Kong and Singapore. For more information about this exciting trade mission, contact Jennifer Harrington (tel: 202-482-0595 / e-mail: jennifer.harrington@mail.doc.gov).
Gateway to Europe Trade Mission to Amsterdam and Brussels: May 14-18, 2006
The Commerce Department's International Trade Administration (ITA) and its U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) posts in the Netherlands and Belgium will organize a Gateway to Europe Trade Mission. Please contact Mara Yahnin at 202-482-6238 for further details.
Czech Republic and Poland: May 21-27, 2006
The ETC will sponsor a trade mission to the Czech Republic & Poland targeting critical industrial sectors such as information technology, environmental, defense/aerospace, and manufacturing. For more information, visit http://www.csgeast.org/etcmissions.asp.
Healthcare Trade Mission to Southern Europe, May 22-27, 2006
Join the U.S. Department of Commerce's Healthcare Trade Mission to Athens, Greece; Zagreb, Croatia; and Bologna, Italy. If you are interested, please contact Bill Kutson, Project Manager by telephone at 202-482-2839, by fax at 202-482-0178, or by email at William.Kutson@mail.doc.gov.
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.
PRESS RELEASES
Russia's food imports reach record highs: Exporters to Russia can realize substantial business due to several ongoing trends. Russia is poised to purchase almost $15 billion in food and agricultural products from abroad in 2005, over $1 billion from the United States. To read full article please go to: http://www.bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/bisdoc/0512_FAS_RussianRecordFoodImports.htm
China vice premier heads to Washington for pre-summit trade talks: Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi is due to depart on April 3rd for talks in the United States aimed at soothing trade tensions and laying the groundwork for this month's presidential summit in Washington. To read full article please go to: http://www.forextv.com/FT/AFX/ShowStory.jsp?seq=91923
United States requests WTO consultations with Canada over duties on grain corn: U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman announced today that the United States has requested WTO consultations with Canada concerning its provisional antidumping and countervailing duties on U.S. grain corn. To read full article please go to: http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/March
USEFUL WEBSITES
Visa Issues: An important aspect of international trade is bringing foreign workers into Maine, whether short-term or for a longer duration. This month’s MITC seminar "Visa Solutions for Maine Companies" discussed issues such as: the process for acquiring American visas, legal help, where to go for more information, and how to make your application move as quickly and smoothly as possible. If you were unable to attend or would like more information about acquiring visas, please refer to the following websites.
US Center for Immigration Services:http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/visas.htm
US Department of State:http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php
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