MITC Trade Bulletin
The Maine International Trade Center's Electronic News Service
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Sponsored by
Contents:
Trade Alerts Trade Shows Trade Missions Press Release Job Announcements Useful Websites Useful Resources
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
DOING BUSINESS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
November 15, 2006 ~ 1:30 - 4:30 Samoset Resort, Rockport, Maine
TRADE ALERTS
EU
REMINDER! EUROPEAN UNION: WEEE Environmental Directive Goes Into Effect December 31st, 2006. As of August 13th, 2005 enforcement of the WEEE (Waste, Electrical, and Electronic Equipment) Directive has been effect, however not all EU countries have fully implemented it. Recovery, reuse, and recycling targets go into effect December 31s, 2006. For more information, visit the U.S. Commercial Service Website at www.buyusa.gov/eu.
Business Alert – EU: New Exemptions under RoHS Law for Electronic and Electrical Goods On the 13th of September 2006, the EU notified the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade (the “TBT” Committee) that it will shortly be adopting three new Decisions in the framework of Directive 2002/95/EC on the Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in Electric and Electronic Equipment (RoHS). More…
USDOC
UNITED STATES IMPLEMENTS SOFTWOOD LUMBER AGREEMENT
U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez announced that Commerce today took steps to implement the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement between the governments of Canada and the United States. http://www.commerce.gov/opa/press/Secretary_Gutierrez/2006_Releases/October/12-Softwood_Lumber_Agreement_stmnt.htm
Major Improvements to the U.S. foreign-trade zone (FTZ) program. U.S. Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary David Spooner has announced major improvements to the U.S. FTZ program. The improvements significantly increase flexibility for short-term manufacturing approvals and reduce processing times for all FTZ manufacturing applications, which will assist U.S. manufactures in doing business globally. For more details, see http://www.trade.gov/press/press_releases/2006/ftz_091806.asp
TRADE NEWS
Vietnam’s Membership Deal:
By the end of October Vietnam’s membership in the WTO should be finalized. Three key elements of this accession are Vietnam’s commitment to goods, services, and Vietnam’s institutional setup on trade. http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news06_e/acc_vietnam_9oct06_e.htm
Panamanian’s Vote to Expand Panama Canal:
On Sunday, October 22, 2006, Panamanians voted to expand Panama’s International Canal. The proposed plan will double the canal’s capacity by adding a third set of locks that are 40 percent longer and 60 percent wider than the current ones.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/23/world/americas/23panama.html
Russia Ends Suspensions of Some Foreign Agencies:
The Russian government said Monday that it had begun registering private foreign organizations whose operations in Russia were suspended last week, and that it was rushing to review the amended applications of at least 65 other organizations, which remained idled.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/24/world/europe/24russia.html
The US offers South Korea big tariff cuts on "difficult" first day of trade talks:
The United States said it offered South Korea tariff cuts worth 2.4 billion dollars a year to try to make progress on a free trade pact, but both sides described the first day of talks as difficult.
http://news.muzi.com/news/ll/english/10024314.shtml?cc=10002
Japan's trade surplus hits 18-month high on strong auto exports
Japan's trade surplus hit an 18-month high in September thanks to strong exports of fuel-efficient cars, steel and electronic products, the government said.
http://www.servihoo.com/channels/kinews/afp_details.php?id=140284&CategoryID=47
Intra-Canadian Free Trade Agreement
Two Canadian provinces, British Columbia and Alberta, have decided to create free trade zone within the federation. Another province, the biggest in terms of population and economy, Ontario, is keen to join this zone. This development may sound a fundamental U-turn in the way Canada was developing since the World War II, when more and more powers were going from the center to provinces.
http://www.ired.com/news/mkt/can-freetrade.htm
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
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. Cheryl.Schell@mail.doc.gov
Healthcare Technologies Trade Mission to Santiago, Chile, and Brazil, April 30 – May 3, 2007
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. Commercial Service, Office of Global Trade Programs, is organizing a Healthcare Technologies Trade Mission to Santiago, Chile and Sao Paulo, Brazil, April 30-May 3, 2007, with an optional one day spin-off stop to Belo Horizonte, Brazil on May 4, 2007. The trade mission will target a broad range of sectors within the healthcare industry. For more information please visit:
http://www.export.gov/eac/show_detail_trade_events.asp?EventID=22054
USEFUL WEBSITES: Legal Documentation
United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods:
http://www.cisg-online.ch/cisg/conv/convuk.htm
Uniform Commercial Code: http://www.law.cornell.edu/ucc/ucc.table.html
Office of Foreign Asset Control: http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.html
USEFUL RESOURCES
The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) invites you to register for the 2006 Africa Oil & Gas Forum. The conference will be held November 29-December 1, 2006 in Washington, DC. The theme of the 2006 forum "Expectations and Reality" will build upon past forums by highlighting some of the latest developments and opportunities, new areas for growth, and discussions on issues and challenges issues in the field. This year's Forum will emphasize building and maintaining partnerships between the United States and African countries. Program details and registration information can be found on the event web page. http://www.africacncl.org/Events/2006_Oil_Gas_Forum.asp
FREE Online Seminar on Canada Border Services Agency Clearance Procedures and Customs Requirements in Canada for Trade Show Booths and Supplies. You are invited to participate in a Free online seminar presented by U.S. Commercial Service Montreal partnered with the Canadian Tourism Commission and Tourisme Montréal on November 29th, at 2:00 p.m. EST. Register online at http://www.buyusa.gov/canada/en/cbsaw.html
*** 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