Message from the Chairman

As National Trade week is approaching, we all need to focus on "How can I help the Trade situation." We need to boost our own trade efforts to help reduce the trade deficit problem. We should be more competitive with the weak dollar. So let's take advantage of this opportunity and push our own exports. The deficit may seem so large that we might think, "What can my little company do about it?" Being one small company, we cannot do a lot, but being a group of small companies we can make a difference.

We also need to follow our DEC directive and help our sister companies get to the export market. There is no better time than now to find a company to help mentor. Talk to a company in your town about exporting or even increasing their exporting. I know it may seem an up hill battle. But, if don't try the only sure thing is that it will not change. I challenge every WV Company to do their part. Every DEC member is challenged to get involved. Together we may not cure the problem, but we can make a difference.

Videoconference seminars for West Virginia companies interested in exporting are showing great promise. The last one held in March was a great success. Australia will be the next available videoconference opportunity May 19 th at 4:30 pm at the Summit Conference Center in Charleston.

The Australia videoconference is an opportunity for your company to interact with officials of the US Commercial Service in Melbourne regarding the recently enacted Free Trade Agreement between the USA and Australia. By registering in advance, the trade officials in Australia will speak directly to you about the best export opportunities for your products and services.

Your company will also learn what services the West Virginia Development Office and the US Department of Commerce can offer your company to make exporting to Australia more efficient. So if Australia is a market you want to tap and you would like to register contact, Leslie Drake.

Sign up today for SB's Small Business Expo 2005
April 26-28, 2005 - Washington, DC.
http://www.sba.gov/expo/

Looking for business opportunities around the world? U.S. Department of Commerce international trade specialists scour the world approving only the best trade leads from the public and private sector. Browse our database by country and/ or industry to find hundreds of qualified leads. These pre-screened leads are available exclusively for U.S. companies on Export.gov. Access Trade Lead Database

The Need for Leads Can't find a lead you need? Contact your local U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Specialist for a complimentary consultation. Charleton Export Assistance Center - Jim Pittard, International Trade Specialist, Tel: 304-347-5123 Ext.11, Email: Wheeling Export Assistance Center, James Fitzgerald, International Trade Specialist, Tel: 304-243-5493 Email.

Exporting to China : Seizing Opportunity and Managing Risk - May 19-20, 2005 - The Westin Hotel - Philadelphia , Pennsylvania - Organized by: The Mid-Atlantic District Export Council and the U.S. Export Assistance Center Philadelphia China 's vast, growing market, expanding middle class, and appetite for Made in the USA goods and services have put this country on the map of every American exporter. Join top industry and government speakers, including Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez (invited) to determine market entry strategies, develop sales and distributor relationships, and identify trade and project finance opportunities. Key market challenges including legal issues, intellectual property protection, and contract enforcement/sanctity will be addressed by in-country China experts in a unique panel format. Register now for this unique business development event, including targeted one-on-one meetings for your business focused on developing sales in China.

Go to: http://www.buyusa.gov/ to review the conference agenda and register now to begin or expand your business engagements in China.  

U.S. Embassy's Processed Foods & Equipment Catalog Show, June 20-22, 2005 - The U.S. Commercial Service is organizing a client-tailored "Processed Foods and Equipment Catalog Show" on June 20-22, 2005 . This unique event takes place in Bethlehem and Ramallah in the West Bank , and Nazareth , Israel , and will offer excellent business opportunities for American exporters of processed foods and food processing equipment. With 3.9 million inhabitants and a population that is growing at 3.9% per-year, the Palestinian food-industry market represents nearly $600 million. In addition to helping your firm tap into these promising opportunities, the U.S. Commercial Service in Jerusalem can also help gauge interest in your products with the 1.2 million Israeli-Arabs, who account for almost one-fifth of the population of Israel.

Details and online registration.

EXTEMIN 2005 Catalog Show - Equipment, Supplies and Services for the Mining Industry - AREQUIPA - PERU - September 12 - 16, 2005 - EXTEMIN 2005, the most comprehensive mining-related exhibition in Latin America is an international trade show organized in Peru for the Mining Industry that will bring the main suppliers of goods and services from all over the world.

With a share of 4% of GDP, the mining industry continues to lead Peruvian economic growth. The sector exported US$ 6.7 billion in 2004 representing 55% of total exports. Main products include copper, gold, iron, lead, silver, tin and zinc. The Ministry of Energy and Mines projects US$ 1.9 billion investments in mining for 2005 and 2006.

The U.S is ranked first among mining equipment suppliers with a 43% market share of exports to Peru. Best prospects include: underground winding gear; lifting, loading and unloading machinery (conveyors, excavators, etc), underground cars, bulldozers, loader shovels, tunnel boring machines, boring or sinking machinery, parts for boring or sinking machinery, rock breaking machinery, pneumatic compactors, tractors and trucks.

For more specific details visit the website.

CeBIT Australia 2005
Announcing the U.S. Pavilion at CeBIT Australia - May 24-26, 2005

Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre
CeBIT Australia is this region's largest and most important exhibition for Information and Communications Technology (ICT). With more than 25,000 visitors and nearly 600 exhibitors, this event provides access to business professionals responsible for their organization's ICT investment from around the region. CeBIT 2005 will feature a U.S.A. Pavilion designed to introduce and promote American technology and solutions in the Australasian markets. For more information or to register online click here.

MountainMade
PO Box 660
Thomas , WV 26292
877-MTN-MADE
(877-686-6233)
(M-F 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST)
Fax: 304-463-4111
Email

The mountains of West Virginia have long been revered and respected for their role in shaping our history, culture and heritage. While the isolation of the mountains helps to preserve our states largely unspoiled natural beauty, it can also make it difficult for our talented artists and craftspeople to gain access to the best markets in which to sell their work.

In the early 1990's Congressman Alan B. Mollohan (D-W.V.) realized that, through the use of technology, West Virginia artists and craftspeople could overcome some of these challenges and gain more exposure for their work by promoting their creations on the World Wide Web. The Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center at Wheeling Jesuit University took on that project and developed the initial web site. In November 2001, the non-profit MountainMade Foundation assumed administration of the program. The Vandalia Heritage Foundation has renovated the historic structures that house the MountainMade Artisan Gallery and the Country Store in Thomas, WV the Buxton Landstreet Building and the Peacock Building.

In 2005, MountainMade will embark on its first major international marketing effort at Expo 2005 in Nagoya , Japan. The Mitsukoshi Department Store will feature MountainMade arts and crafts at a week-long display of products specifically from West Virginia.

U.S. Passport Fees Increasing - Since March 8 th fees for the renewal of an adult passport have risen from $55 to $67. Passports for first-time adult applicants (or those who are unable to present their most recently issued passport) increased from $85 to $97; and the cost of a passport for a minor under age 16 went from $70 to $82. The price hike is due to a $12 surcharge now being levied to cover the costs associated with the newly redesigned U.S. passport. The new passports contain a number of design changes and will also contain a chip with security features that make the passport a much more secure document.