MITC Trade Bulletin
The Maine International Trade Center's Electronic News Service
Tuesday, March 7, 2006
Sponsored by
MITC PROGRAMS
Visa Solutions for Maine Companies
Thursday, March 30, 2006
EMDC Office Building (Norumbega Hall), Bangor
An important aspect of international trade is bringing foreign workers into Maine, whether short-term or for a longer duration. This seminar will explain the process for acquiring American visas, show you where to go for information and legal help, and offer tips to make your application move as quickly and smoothly as possible through this challenging process. This seminar will also discuss tips for Maine companies looking to service Canadian Markets and need work visas. Canada is Maine's largest trading partner, so don't let visa issues hinder your company's ability to enter this lucrative market. Visa Issues for Maine Companies will be held at the EMDC Office Building (Norumbega Hall) in Bangor on March 30th from 2:00-4:30 pm. For more information, contact Ashleigh Arledge at (207) 541-7455 or arledge@mitc.com.
OTHER PROGRAMS
Int'l 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-early June, 2006. For further details, please contact the L-S School by phone (207 326-2454) or e-mail gradschl@mma.edu.
Week of the Francophones
The week of March 20th has been designated as the "Week of the Francophones." Attend the annual celebration at the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston on March 22nd to celebrate Francophone heritage. The event will begin with a 6:30 wine and cheese reception, followed by a French musical program at 7:30. Please go to http://www.francoamericanheritage.org for more information and directions.
China's Next Phase
The Ninth Annual conference of the Harvard China Review will take place on Saturday March 25th and Sunday March 26th. This conference aims to explore the implications of international and domestic growth developments and identify industry trends and policy recommendations. For more information and registration please go to: http://harvardchina.org.
Penobscot School Newsletter
Please refer to the website for detailed information on upcoming beginner French, Spanish, Russian workshops, Italian Cooking Class, Spanish potluck, and film discussions. In April, there will be Acces Cinema Africain (French language & film immersion) and Real Africa (a special teacher's seminar) at 2006 Vues d'Afrique Festival in Montreal - April 20-24 & 27-30: www.languagelearning.org/AfricanCinema2006.htm
TRADE ALERTS
Phase II of Wood Packaging Materials Regulations Begins on February 1
As most importers know the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (APHIS) published new regulations for the treatment and marking of wood packaging materials destined for the U.S. last fall. The agency and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) amended the effective date of the regulations, allowing for a phased-in compliance period. Effective February 1, Customs will be ordering the re-export of all shipments containing volatile pallets or crates if it is not feasible to separate merchandise from the wood packaging materials (WPM). Phase II will continue informed compliance measures on all regulated WPM except pallets and crates. CBP will begin full enforcement of the ban on violative pallets and crates. All expenses incurred for the services of CBP Officers and Agricultural Specialists involved in the separation of cargo will be billed to the importer or other party of interest. Phase III begins July 5, 2006.
El Salvador in US Free Trade Deal
The US has formally agreed a free trade pact with El Salvador but has told five more Central American nations that they must do more to finalize similar deals. Congress sanctioned a Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) last year but official implementation has been delayed by a series of legal wrangles. The US complained that CAFTA partners were failing to harmonize key laws and regulations, as obliged by the treaty. But the US-El Salvador agreement will now come into force on March 1. For Full Article please go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4749396.stm
Heralding a New Phase in Bahrain-US Trade Ties
The Free Trade in the Middle East conference will mark the beginning of a new phase in the US-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement. The participation of the US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez is a great indicator of the importance the US attaches to the FTA with Bahrain, and more broadly with the promotion of free trade in the region. With the FTA now ratified, attention was focused on its implementation which is expected to take place in coming months. This in turn will help promote trade and investment between the two countries. For Full Article please go to: http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=136578&Sn=BUSI&IssueID=28344
TRADE EVENTS
High Technologies 2006: Tel Aviv, Israel, March 22-23, 2006
The Commercial Service at the U.S. Embassy in Israel is recruiting American companies for its catalog show at the "High Technologies 2006" conference and exhibition March 22-23 in Tel Aviv. The show is an important event in an important industry in this HI-TECH economy and a very effective way for U.S. companies to evaluate market potential, gain exposure, and explore business opportunities in Israel! Please see our website for more information and to register online: http://www.buyusa.gov/israel/en/hitech.html
Expo USA 2006 - Region MERCOSUR: Brazil, Uruguay & Argentina, March 27-April 7, 2006
U.S. Commercial Service in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina will promote products and services at "Expo USA 2006 - Region MERCOSUR," March 27-April 7, 2006. In addition to boosting market exposure and identifying trade leads for your client companies, this lti-State Catalog Exhibition offers an ideal venue for promoting business, travel, and tourism in your state. This is an opportunity to showcase your business in Ribeirao Preto and Porto Alegre, Brazil; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Rosario, Argentina. We'll welcome your state's participation, but time is running out. Please contact Nancy Hesser at U.S. Department of Commerce at 202-482-4663.
"Banking On Development" Business Opportunities Conference: New Orleans, March 30, 2006
As another step in the New Orleans area's economic recovery, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the World Trade Center will host a one-day major conference at the WTC on March 30, 2006 on business opportunities for U.S. companies with five large multilateral development banks. The "Banking On Development" conference will highlight the activities of the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the African Development Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. For more information and registration please go to: http://wtc-no.org/programs/2006/banks3-30.htm
Asian Pacific Business Outlook Conference: Los Angeles, April 3-4, 2006
The 19th annual Asia Pacific Business Outlook (APBO) is North America's premier event for businesses that want to develop and improve their trade and investment opportunities in the Asia/Pacific region. Get the current intelligence on 15 economies, as well as practical, applicable solutions to your logistical, legal, financial, marketing, planning, and human resource issues. For more information please go to: http://www.apbo2006.com/
Environmental Protection Technical Equipment Exhibition (EPTEE): Shanghai, April 28-30, 2006
This is a great platform to target the Environmental Protection market in China. In 2005, there were over 500 exhibiting organizations, and over 25,000 people that moved through the show in 3 days. 2006 will be EPTEE's 7th year. Please contact Boyd W. Christenson at 651-228-1738 or at bwchris@ix.netcom.com with questions.
Reaching Atlantica - Business Without Boundaries: Saint John, New Brunswick, June 9-10, 2006
Reaching Atlantica is an international business conference that will chart the issues and prospets associated with the re-establishment of an international trade corridor known as Atlantica. Please refer to www.reachingatlantica.com for further details.
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 from 20 - 23 June 2006 at the Melaka International Trade Centre is strictly a business to business (B2B) event. Key categories of exhibits, among others, include High-Tech Industries, Industrial Products, Cybertrade, Digital World, Transportation, Agro-based Industries & Products, Materials & Supplies, Consumer Goods Trading (B2B only) and Food Products. More than 500 booths have been allocated at the MITIF2006 where 70% of the exhibitors will be foreigners. More than 10,000 trade visitors are expected to attend the 4-day event. (www.melakatrade.com.my)
The International Trade Fair for Waste Management and Environmental Technology, ENTSORGA - ENTECO 2006: Cologne, Germany, October 24-27
ENTSORGA is one of the world's largest trade shows for waste management & environmental technology. Please refer to www.entsorga-enteoe.com for further details.
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
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.
PRESS RELEASES
USDA Rural Development Announces $19.5 Million Available Nationwide for Value-Added Business Ventures
USDA Rural Development State Director Michael W. Aube has announced the availability of nearly $19.5 million nationwide to support the development of value-added agricultural business ventures through the Value-Added Producer Grant Program. Grants may be used for planning activities, working capital for marketing-value added agricultural products, and for farm-based renewable energy. Eligible applicants are independent producers, farm and rancher cooperatives, agricultural producer groups and majority-controlled producer-based ventures. For more information please go to: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/
Russia's Food Imports Reach Record Highs
2005 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. Retail sales grew an impressive 12 percent in 2004 and reached $198.3 billion. Forty-four percent of products sold through retail are imported products. Retail outlets have started to expand aggressively into the regions – new potential markets for quality, imported goods and prospective venues for marketing programs. For more information please go to: www.bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/bisdoc/0512_FAS_RussianRecordFoodImports.htm
EU Violated Trade Rules Over GMO Foods
American farm groups cheer World Trade Organization's ruling American farm groups roundly cheered a ruling Tuesday which condemned Europe for holding out against genetically modified foods and crops, saying it would serve as warning to other nations and help U.S. exports. The World Trade Organization ruled that the European Union applied a moratorium on approving genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in violation of trade rules, diplomats said. In a preliminary decision, the WTO also ruled that six individual states -- France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Luxembourg and Greece -- broke the rules by applying their own bans on marketing and importing GMOs. For the full article please go to: www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11221202/from/ET/
Annual Keiko Takahashi Scholarship Awards for Maine Immigrants and International Students Opens at Penobscot School
Penobscot School in Rockland, Maine is pleased to announce the annual Keiko Takahashi Scholarship Fund dedicated to providing funds for adult immigrants in Maine and students from other countries, in order that they may attend the July or August English Immersion Program of Penobscot School. The deadline for submission of Maine applications is March 15, 2006. For more information on the English immersion programs and how to apply, refer to the website at www.languagelearning.org/english.html#summerenglish
USEFUL WEBSITES
Securing America Visas for Foreign Workers
An important aspect of international trade is bringing foreign workers into Maine, whether short-term or for a longer duration. Here are some helpful websites to guide you through the process for acquiring American visas.
US State Department
http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html
UnitedStatesVisas.gov, an official source of information about U.S. visa policy and procedures. Use this site to learn about the visa application process, understand current requirements, and get updates on recent developments.
http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/
US Citizenship & Immigration Services
http://uscis.gov/graphics/aboutus/index.htm
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