MITC Trade Bulletin
The Maine International Trade Center's Electronic News Service
Friday, September 1, 2006
Contents:
Trade Alerts Trade Shows Trade Missions Press Release Job Announcements Useful Websites Useful Resources
THE TOOLS OF TRADE:
ESSENTIALS OF SELLING INTERNATIONALLY
September 28, 2006 ~ 1:00 - 4:30
Maine International Trade Center Office, Portland
TRADE ALERTS
UNITED STATES - Importers: HTS Codes Update
HTS codes have been updated for July 2006. There was no change to Schedule B codes. For more information, please visit: HTS codes.
VIETNAM
Vietnam has reduced its import tax on gold bullion to 0.5 percent from one percent, according to the Vietnam Gold Business Association. However, the tariff imposed on gold powder remains unchanged, at 0.5 percent. Source: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200608/16/eng20060816_293731.html
PERU
Peruvian President Alan Garcia said his government will seek to renegotiate a free-trade agreement signed between Peru and the U.S. and awaiting a vote in the U.S. Congress. Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aQHL0Q2zTyho&refer=latin_america
EXPORTERS: Harmonized Schedule Codes (Schedule B) UpdatedHS codes have been updated with many changes for 2006. For more information, please visit: HS codes.
CBP is targeting importers of timber products. Product specialist teams are cracking down on importers for misclassifying wood, plywood, and timber products, for improper or missing country of origin marking, and for not having the proper records. The financial risks to wood importers can be large and stem from a change of duty rate and the imposition of penalties.
C-TPAT Portal Deadline: One Month Left. If you are enrolled in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program, you have only a few weeks to post your security profile on the new C-TPAT portal. Many companies, even those certified and validated companies, do not meet the latest C-TPAT security criteria. CBP promises to kick you out of C-TPAT if you fail to post your security profile on time or if your security profile does not meet the new security profile. CBP now has the means to easily carry out its threat now that all your C-TPAT information is automated through the C-TPAT Portal. The C-TPAT Portal creates additional requirements for participants.
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
New England and Eastern Canada Cargo Security Symposium, September 14th
The New England and Eastern Canada Cargo Security Symposium will be held in Manchester, NH. Exploratory themes for the 2006 Symposium will include:
- Results of the Canada/US Cargo Security Project Intelligent Container Tests
- The private sector's role in container security
- Government trends
- Container Interoperability with First Responders
- Developing cargo security technologies
- Results of the Transport Canada Container Technology Tests
Information regarding key note speakers and panelists can be found online at the registration website. All registration for the Symposium can be completed online by visiting the Canada United States Cargo Security Project website at: http://www.ni2cie.org/cuscsp/2006symposium.asp.
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.
Business Development Mission, Beijing and Shanghai, China, November 13 - 17, 2006
Questions and inquires about the program should be directed to the Office of Business Liason at the U.S. Department of Commerce at 202-482-1360 or ChinaMission@doc.gov
Mumbai Business Summit, November 29-30, 2006
Join the US Department of Commerce's development mission to India. Summit participants will have access to India's high-level business, industry and government representatives. Spin-off missions to Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi are also being offered. Arrangements such as market briefings, networking receptions and one-on-one business appointments can be arranged by the US Commercial Service. For more Information, please visit:http://www.export.gov/indiamission.
Explore BC 2010 OLYMPIC Opportunities in Vancouver, Canada, November 7, 2006- November 8, 2006
Join the US Department of Commerce Commercial service in Vancouver is organizing a multiple industry trade event in Vancouver, Canada for November 7 & *, 2006. The participating U. S. companies will benefit from briefings by the BC 2010 Secretariat regarding the 2010 Olympic procurement process as well as from local experts on the Canadian market; a networking reception; and pre-scheduled, pre-qualified on-on-one meetings with potential agents and distributors.
PRESS RELEASES
Canada wins WTO softwood ruling
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060816.RSOFTWOOD16/TPStory/
Large U.S. Business Troupe Is Being Readied for India
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/08/business/worldbusiness/08trade.html?ref=worldbusiness
Biggest Oil Field in U.S. Is Forced to Stop Pumping
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/08/business/08oil.html?ex=1155182400&en=ced87f1bd0bb6cb5&ei=5087%0A
Yuan Falls on Speculation China Will Use Rates to Cool Economy
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20602097&sid=anF6306sKDhk&refer=world_currencies
Europeans Sound Alarm Over Traces of Genetically Modified Rice
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/world.aspx?ID=BD4A254203
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Company: The Ford Foundation
Job Title: Program Officer
Location: Beijing, China
Description: The Program Officer will be responsible for developing, monitoring and evaluation the Ford Foundation's work in legal system reform and the development of the rule of law in China. The Program Officer will develop and manage a portfolio of grants to Chinese and other organizations, encompassing the legal institutions, education and training institutions, researchers and providers of legal services, including civil society groups and private law firms.
Qualifications: Significant expertise in the legal system of the People's Republic of China and an understanding of Chinese views of law and approaches to legal system development is required, as is the ability to work closely with Chinese legal officials and government organizations.
For more information and application details, please visit: http://www.fordfound.org/employment/jobdetail.cfm?id=128
Company: Correct Deck
Job Title: Receptionist / Accounts payable
Location: Biddeford, ME
Description: The receptionist would be responsible for a busy 8 line switchboard throughout the first shift of the day. Also responsible for greeting customers and venders, processing invoices, completing weekly payments and reconciling each month.
Qualifications: Excellent communication skills, a pleasant and professional phone manner and demonstration of superb reliability and responsibility.
For more information and application details, please contact: http://www.correctdeck.com/index.htm
USEFUL WEBSITES
English Tourist Board: http://www.enjoyengland.com/
Conversions to Metric System (temperature, measurements): http://www.worldwidemetric.com/metcal.htm
Currency: http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/europe/uk/currency.htm
i-UK, includes business and trade information: http://www.i-uk.com/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1006977150691
USEFUL RESOURCES
BISNIS and the Office of Health and Consumer Goods within the Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, invites you to a business roundtable with Russian medical device and healthcare decision makers visiting the United States on Friday, September 22, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the USA Trade Center, Room A, Ronald Reagan Building, in Washington, DC. Registration starts at 2:45 p.m.
For more information on the event and details on the USTDA program please visit: http://www.bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/bisdoc/0609RUMinistryofHealth.pdf.
*** As a reminder, MITC membership includes unlimited trade assistance. We look forward to answering your questions and providing you with market research and statistics. For more information, please contact Trade Assistance Manager Anne Hurst at hurst@mitc.com or 541-7418. ***
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