Trade Alerts

US Commercial Service offers 
manufacturers an opportunity

Mass Port Increase in Usage


Richard J. Coyle, President at
MITC and Janine Bisaillon-Cary, 
Vice  President at  MITC

Trade Events

Biotechnology in the 
Global Marketplace

CE Marking: Preparting your 
Goods for the European Market

Franchising in Russia

Waste-to-Energy/Renewable 
Energy Sources Conference

NELABC Celebrates
 10th anniversary

Gateway to Central America

Vietnam Power Generation OV

Latin America Regional Airport 
Security Officials OV

Bulgaria Government IT 
Officials OV

E-finance Technology

Doing Business in China


Trade Shows


Steve Phillips discusses the 
benefits of International Trade 
Shows

Americas Food & Beverage 
Trade Show and Conference

China Seafood Expo

Natural Products 
Organic Asia 2003

Israchem & Analiza 2003

Environment 2002 Israel

iEX Internet Expo 2003

Trends in Information and 
Communications Technology

American Tech 2003

CommAsia 2003

CeBIT Australia


Press Releases

Nine Chinese teachers 
to visit UNE

What You Need To Know 
about Patent Protection

U.S. Presents Views to Help 
Guide  WTO Negotiations

Macedonia Officially 
Accepted into WTO

Penobscot School 
names new CEO


New Director, Julia Schultz, and 
CEO, David Clough, of the 
Penobscot School

U.S. Trade Official Outlines 
Objectives for FTAA Ministerial 
Trade ministers

Language Immersion 
Opportunities

USEFUL WEBSITES

Ask the Attorney!

Trade Alerts

The US Commercial Service is offering U.S. manufacturers the opportunity to present their product literature free of charge to agents, distributors, wholesalers and manufacturer representatives based in Canada’s Atlantic provinces. Best Prospects include: Telecommunications, Health Care, Machine Tools, Pumps, Valves, Compressors, General Industrial, Oil Gas products and services, Environmental, Construction Equipment, Consumer & Sporting Goods, Used/Surplus Goods.  Contact: Richard Vinson, U.S. Commercial Service Halifax, Nova Scotia, E-mail: halifax.office.box@mail.doc.gov

Mass Port Increase in Usage: Effective December 1, 2002, the Massachusetts Port Authority will amend its Container Tariff #1, Rule (I) 034, USAGE RATES as follows:

• Container under twenty-six feet - From $l8.00 to $24.00 per container
• Containers over twenty-six feet - From $25.00 to $31.00 per container
• Non Container Cargo: From $3.15 per ton to $3.65 per ton

Minimum Charge: $6.55 per B/L 
The entire Container Tariff may be viewed on Massport's Web Site: www.massport.com/ports/conle_tarif.html  
Contact: Lynne Vikesland, e-mail: LVikesland@massport.com


Trade Events

MITC will host Biotechnology in the Global Marketplace: Warren Cook, President of JAX Research Systems, will speak on The Jackson Laboratory’s recent experience expanding their markets into Asia & Europe.  JAX Research Systems took the unusual step of partnering with their direct competitor for the purpose of expanding international sales.  Richard Seline, of New Economy Strategies, will outline international markets Maine companies should target for the future, and how collaboration between government, private corporations and academic institutions leads to success.  Join MITC as we learn how JAX Research Systems is expanding their international sales and distribution in Europe and Asia; how the University of Ulster is contributing to their own cluster development through business incubation and how the International Northeast Biotechnology Corridor can draw on its regional strengths to enhance cluster development in Maine. The program will run from 2-5 pm on Wednesday, December 4^th at MITC, 511 Congress Street, Portland. The program is free to the public thanks to the Citizens Bank.  For more information, please contact Catherine Macri of the Maine International Trade Center at 541-7455, e-mail macri@mitc.com. 

MITC will host CE Marking: Preparing Your Goods for the European Market.  CE marking is a mandatory legal requirement for many products sold in Europe.  This seminar teaches manufacturers and suppliers how to comply with the essential requirements of CE Marking.  Topics to be covered include quality control, product assessment, protection requirements as well as the preparation of documents.  The program, the third program in the Citizens Bank International Trade Education Series, will be held on November 19, 2002 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Maine International Trade Center on 511 Congress Street.  Cost is $35.00 for members and $50.00 for non-members of the Maine International Trade Center and free to all legislators.  For more information contact Catherine G. Macri at macri@mitc.com or (207) 541-7455 or see our website at www.mitc.com.

Franchising in Russia.  The U.S. Commercial Service in Russia is showcasing U.S. franchisers at “Franchising in Russia,” Moscow, November 13-15, 2002.  This is an opportunity for U.S. franchisers to explore new business opportunities or display product literature. For information on the event, visit http://www.a-z.ru/raf/index_en.shtml.  For information on the US Product Literature Center, visit www.buyusa.gov/russia/en/page92.html or contact oganes.sarkisov@mail.doc.gov.  

The Europe Regional Waste-to-Energy/Renewable Energy Sources Conference will take place December 9-11, 2002. The event will focus on projects that relate to the transformation of refuse products from refineries, chemical plants, agricultural facilities, and other industrial operations, into usable resources. The conference will focus on opportunities in Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.  For more information contact Michael Koeppen or David Elliott (202) 429-5245 at Koeppen, Elliott & Associates. Email: mak@kealtd.com

The New England-Latin America Business Council (NELABC) will celebrate its 10th anniversary at the New England Conservatory of Music, keynote speaker is Jeffery David, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico.  Festivities include reception, featuring Latin American specialty wines, beer and hors d'oeuvres, formal gourmet dinner, and Latin entertainment.  Individual tickets for this event are $100; Friend tickets are $500.  High visibility sponsorship opportunities are available. Visit  www.nelabc.org for more information on sponsorship opportunities or contact Ida Pardo at 617-434-0928, email: info@nelabc.org.

Gateway to Central America: The New England-Latin America Business Council (NELABC) and the Consul of the Republic of El Salvador will host Ambassador Rene Leon from El Salvador.  The Ambassador will discuss El Salvador and the Free Trade Region of the Americas. The meeting is free and open to all. Pre-registration is required. Time: Friday, November 8, 2002 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.  Where: Fleet Bank, 100 Federal St, 2nd floor, Boston, Massachusetts.  Please RSVP by Wednesday, November 6.  Register on-line at: www.nelabc.org, Tel: 617-434-0928, or email: info@nelabc.org

Vietnam Power Generation OV: Vietnam is undergoing a rapid development of its power generation. Vietnamese officials will visit the United States from November 14-26, to meet with potential U.S. sources of equipment and services for the implementation of major power generation projects.  A business briefing will be held in New York City on November 22, 2002. For more information call Egon Kimel (201) 261-0800, or Email: powertech.pc@verizon.net.

Latin America Regional Airport Security Officials OV:  Twelve airport officials from Latin America and the Caribbean will visit the United States from November 18-22, to learn about U.S. expertise and technologies in the airport security sector.  The delegates will be key decision makers responsible for implementing several upcoming airport security improvements projects funded in part by the Inter-American Development Bank. A business briefing will be held in Washington, DC on November 21. For more information call Bernard Markowicz (703) 255-1101, or email: markowicz@decisionanalysis.net.  

Bulgaria Government IT Officials OV: Bulgarian officials, in the process of developing a countrywide IT network, will visit U.S. manufacturers of IT equipment as well as state or regional government sites where a similar system has been implemented from December 9-13, 2002. For more information call Harlan Lee (703) 534-1629 or email hlee@mgtech-world.com.

E-finance Technology Seminar:  January 30-31, 2003 This E-finance Technology Seminar, to be held in Tokyo, will feature U.S. banks, insurance companies, and IT equipment and service providers who supply services, software and hardware to the financial services industry.  Participation cost is $3600.  For more information, contact Yoko Hatano, U.S. Department of Commerce/ Commercial Specialist, Tokyo, at 81-3-3224-5318 or yoko.hatano@mail.doc.gov

Building Products ‘The Doing Business in China Seminar’ will be broadcast live via the Internet on December 12^th from 9:00-11:00 AM (PST).  Building material manufacturers and exporters from throughout the US are invited view the live Internet- broadcast. Speakers have first hand experience with exporting building materials and other goods to China and with China’s wood frame housing market. Attendees from throughout the U.S. will be able to view the broadcast and participate in on-line discussions during the seminar.  For more information about the speakers, topics and to register for this seminar, see www.uschinabuild.org/events.htm

Trade Shows

Americas Food & Beverage Trade Show and Conference will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center December 4-5, 2002.  Over 500 companies, and 7,500 buyers from 47 countries are expected.  For more information and exhibitor application, visit www.worldtrade.org/food or contact: Ben Neji, World Trade Center Miami, Tel (305) 871-7910, Fax: (305) 871-7904, email: info@worldtrade.org. 

China Seafood Expo: Maine-based Diversified Business Communications and Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs China/Keylong Exhibition Services, will launch China Seafood Expo. The First edition will be held from August 27 through 29, 2003 in Intex Shanghai. For more information contact: Julie Bernier, 207-842-5583, Diversified Business Communications, e-mail, jbernier@divcom.com, or visit www.divbusiness.com.  

Natural Products Organic Asia 2003:  Maine-based Diversified Business Communications and Singapore-based HQ Link Pte. Ltd., both leading international exhibition organizers, have announced a joint venture agreement to produce Natural Products Organic Asia 2003.  The first event will take place in Singapore November 5-7, 2003 at Singapore Expo.  

Israchem & Analiza 2003: The U.S. Commercial Service is organizing a Product Literature Center (catalog show) for U.S. exporters at ‘Israchem & Analiza,’ January 21-23, at the Tel Aviv Fairgrounds. ‘Israchem & Analiza is Israel's major trade show for analytical instruments and chemical processing equipment. Over 300 exhibitors draw 20,000 trade visitors to the exhibition.  USDOC will display your product literature and represent your stated interest for a participation fee of $400. For more information, or to register by the December 20, 2002 deadline, see:   http://www.buyusa.gov/israel/en/page104.html. Or contact: Yael Torres, CS Tel Aviv, Israel E-mail:  ytorres@mail.doc.gov 

Environment 2002, Israel. The U.S. Commercial Service at the American Embassy in Tel Aviv, is organizing a Product Literature Center (catalog show) for U.S. exporters at Environment 2002, December 17-19, at the Tel Aviv Fairgrounds. USDOC will display your product literature and represent your stated interest for a fee of $400. Approximately 200 exhibitors will draw 30,000 trade visitors to the largest environmental event in Israel.  For additional information, see www.environment-israel.com. Or http://www.BuyUSA.gov/Israel.  Contact: Irit van der Veur, US Depaetment of Commerce, e-mail: irit.vanderveur@mail.doc.gov

iEX Internet Expo 2003, February 5-7, 2003 iEX in Zurich focuses exclusively on the Internet and its applications in business. iEX attracts more than 40,000 visitors and 4,500 conference attendees focuses on Internet products and services for corporate management, IT professionals, webmasters and professional users.  The U.S. Department of Commerce has organized a catalog show at this event.  Participant cost, which includes a listing in the show’s catalog and trade leads provided at the end of the show, is $250.  For more information, contact Philippe Mettler, U.S. Department of Commerce/Commercial Assistant, Zurich, at 41-1 380 1256 or pmettler@mail.doc.gov.

Trends in Information and Communications Technology Seminar, March 6, 2003.  This one-day seminar, to be held in Vienna, is co-organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce in Vienna in cooperation with IDC Austria.  U.S. IT and telecommunications suppliers will present speech and data convergence products and services to Austrian CIOs and IT managers.  Each participating U.S. firm will be able to give a 30 minutes presentation.  Participation cost is $2500.  For more information, contact Ingeborg Doblinger, U.S. Department of Commerce/Commercial Specialist, Vienna, at  43-1-31339-2120 or ingeborg.doblinger@mail.doc.gov. 

American Tech 2003, April 4, 2003, Bulgaria.  American Tech 2003 exhibits U.S. products in the fields of computers and peripherals, computer software, communications equipment, telecommunications equipment and telecommunications services. The U.S. Department of Commerce has organized a catalog show at this event.  The cost is $150.  For more information contact Tsvetanka Kolarova, U.S. Department of Commerce/Commercial Specialist, Sofia. at 359-2-963-4062 or tsvetanka.kolarova@mail.doc.gov. 

CommAsia 2003, May 13-15, 2003, Manila.  Targets the telecommunications, broadcast, electronics, information technology and e-commerce industries, and will be held in conjunction with the National Electronics and Telecommunications Week.   CommAsia 2001 drew  over 8,000 show attendees and 128 exhibitors from 17 countries. The U.S.  Department of Commerce invites U.S. companies to participate.  Exhibiting cost is $3600.  For more information contact Aida Miranda, U.S. DOC E-mail:  aida.miranda@mail.doc.gov. 

CeBIT Australia, May 15-18, 2003: Cebit Australia is one of Australia's premier trade events in the IT and telecommunications sector, and is part of the Cebit stable of events globally.   It is a trade only show and attracts good levels of attendees. The U.S. Department of Commerce will be recruiting a product literature center for inclusion in the US pavilion at the show.  USDOC will represent US companies in this PLC, and promote these companies to Australian importers and distributors in the sector.   For more information, contact Duncan Archibald, U.S. Department of Commerce/Commercial Specialist, Sydney at 61-2-9373-9212 or duncan.archibald@mail.doc.gov.

Press Releases  

Nine Chinese teachers to visit UNE expected: January 10 - May 10, 2003, to acquire knowledge and to advance their professional development. Each is very interested in interacting with students in the public schools as well as community organizations. UNE has limited housing and needs people in the community to serve as hosts.  For more information, please contact Lemuel Berry, Jr., Ph.D., VP for Academic Affairs, University of New England, 207-283-0171 x 2678, lberry@une.edu.  

What You Need To Know about Patent Protection will be held Thursday, November 7^th-12-2pm. This seminar will provide inventors and technology-based businesses with education and advice on the patent process and the necessary steps toward product commercialization. Presenter: Woody Higgins, Director of the Maine Patent Program, with over 35 years of experience as an intellectual property attorney. contact: Debbie Neuman, Director, Target Technology Incubator, 20 Godfrey Drive, Orono, ME. E-mail:  dneuman@maine.edu.   Or visit: www.targetincubator.com 

U.S. Presents Views to Help Guide WTO Negotiations on Global Trade Rules: On October 17, the U.S. submitted a paper to the WTO Negotiating Group on Rules highlighting the need to preserve and improve the effectiveness of global trade rules, to deal with market-distorting trade practices. The U.S. also submitted a second document regarding the steel sector, which was previously submitted to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as part of the Administration's ongoing multilateral efforts to address global steel market distortions. For more information visit: http://www.ita.doc.gov/media/PressReleases/october2002/gtr_101702.html  

Macedonia Officially Accepted into WTO: After several years of preparation and tough negotiations, on October 15 Macedonian Economics Minister Besnik Fetai signed a protocol for Macedonia's admission to the WTO. In the wake of September elections, a new government is still being negotiated and the official response to the signing has been slight. WTO membership will mean Macedonia may now qualify for exemption from USG steel tariffs. 

The Penobscot School has named David Clough as its CEO, and founding President Julia Shultz as Director of the Penobscot School’s new Institute: The Center for Heritage Language Reacquisition.  The new institute will assist people in reawakening their ‘hidden’ or ‘lost’ heritage language.  The first project will be the reacquisition of French by New England¹s descendants of French-Canadian Immigrants, estimated by Schulz to be as many as 500,000 New Englanders who spoke French as their first language, and losing it when they entered kindergarten. Schulz is out to test a hypothesis regarding early language development in infants, the idea that a first language never really disappears, but can be reawakened with the right encouragement.  For more information, contact the School at: 207-594-1084 or visit the web site: www.languagelearning.org.

U.S. Trade Official Outlines Objectives for FTAA Ministerial Trade ministers from the Western Hemisphere's 34 democracies will pursue a number of objectives when they meet in Quito, Ecuador, on November 1 to continue their work in creating a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA),that will establish timetables for eliminating tariffs on agricultural and industrial goods, and intensify work on the draft text of the FTAA agreement. http://www.tcc.mac.doc.gov/cgi-bin/doit.cgi?204:52:24894357:426  

Language Immersion Opportunities at Penobscot School: Italian immersion day for beginners on Nov. 9; intermediate immersion day on December 14. Beginning German immersion on November 16. Spanish immersion day for beginners on November 16, and an intermediate immersion day on December 14. Japanese workshop for advanced beginners on November 23. French immersion day for beginners on December 7, intermediate immersion day on December 21.

The 2003 immersion schedule starts on February 23 with Italian for Travelers with Ginevra Geraci.  All immersion days are held on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and the tuition is $85. The Japanese workshop is from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and the tuition is $56. For more information, please contact Penobscot School at 594-1084, or on the web at www.languagelearning.org.

USEFUL WEBSITES

Ask the Attorney! The Dallas law firm of Braumiller & Rodriguez has a section on their website titled "Ask the Attorney." Ask the Attorney has concise answers to questions about international trade, including NAFTA certification, Incoterms, selling commissions and buying commissions, and Foreign Trade Zones. See: www.exportimportlaw.com/ask.html.

MITC Trade Bulletin is published biweekly by the Maine International Trade Center as a members only benefit.  For information about membership or to be placed on our MITC Trade Bulletin mailing list, please contact our office.

Portland: Phone (207) 541-7400, Facsimile (207) 541-7420
Bangor: Phone (207) 990-3161 Facsimile (207) 942-3548
Lewiston: Phone (207) 753-0574 Facsimile (207) 782-6905
Email: http://www.mitc.com/Trade_Bulletin/October 7.htm