West Virginia World Trader
February 2005
Council News  

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Message from the Chairman

The third year of the Export Manager program at West Virginia University is underway. The West Virginia Export Council puts on the program in conjunction with WVU. The program is designed for WV Companies who are new to export or wish to expand their existing export markets.

Classes are held on Friday night and all day Saturday to give small companies the ability to participate without losing precious work day time. In addition to teaching companies all aspect of the export game, students interested in employment with companies that export take the class and receive credit within their various business majors.

Students team with business people to develop an export plan designed to take company products to the export market. Companies choose the country. With student help and the course work, companies determine if the selected country is a good business fit. Students present the export plan for a grade and the final export plan is given to the company to execute.

The Export Manager program has generated a lot of positives for both companies and students interested in exporting as a business option or career. The class is very unconventional with Dr. Logar and Dr. Riley presenting exporting from the "Book" perspective and the WV Export council participants telling "How it really happens". More than 15 outside speakers present their expertise to the class and lively discussion is common place.

Soon we hope to offer this class in Charleston as well as Morgantown. If this sounds of interest to you, please contact one of the WVEC members or Dr. Logar or Dr. Riley at WVU.
State Notes

Exhibit with West Virginia in Europe's Major Wood Industry Trade Show – Interzum - Cologne, Germany from April 29 - May 3, 2005. Interzum is the world’s leading event for furniture production and interior works, where you will meet buyers from 130 countries.

The West Virginia Development Office is sponsoring a 27 sqm booth within the US Pavilion. You are invited to participate in this opportunity to enter the European market and to strengthen your existing relationships. WVDO pays for your booth space and custom display, interpreters, networking reception and other business related expenses - over a $5,000 value for each company. Companies pay only lodging, airfare and personal expenses, and a participation fee of $300.

To register please contact the West Virginia Development Office at 304-558-1957 or register online.

Federal Update

CHINA BUILDING 2005 EXHBITION
The Commercial Section of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing is pleased to invite American firms to participate in the U.S. Pavilion at China Building 2005 to promote American goods and services to the Chinese construction market. The exposition showcases building construction materials, equipment, and services. China Building 2005 will be held at the China International Exhibition Center (CIEC) in Beijing from March 1-4, 2005. For more information on the show, please visit chinabuilding by clicking here.

Show Time Meetings at the National Manufacturing Week. Chicago, March 7-10, 2005 McCormick Place
The U.S. Commercial Service, the National Association of Manufacturers and National Manufacturing Week once again offer you the best information and assistance in helping your company break into global markets. Discuss business opportunities in Latin America, Canada and China with Senior Commercial Officers and Trade Experts from U.S. Embassies and Consulates: Register Online.

Should you have any questions, please contact Jim Pittard, International Trade Specialist, Charleston Export Assistance Center.Tel: 304-347-5123 Ext. 111.

Rebuild Iraq 2005
Iraq is in desperate need of a full range of infrastructure products including hospital and security equipment, medicines, road and railway machinery, oil production tools, finance, and telecom systems. REBUILD IRAQ 2005 is the only U.S. supported trade fair in the Middle East at which U.S. exhibitors in the electricity, water, oil, health, transportation, agriculture and communication sectors will be able to showcase the products and services needed to meet Iraq’s massive demand for material and equipment.

REBUILD IRAQ 2005 will be held April 4 – 7, 2005 at the Amman International Fair in Marj Al Hammam, Jordan, a country, it should be noted, that is NOT on the State Department's list of Current Travel Warnings. To participate, contact Mr. Bechara Nacouzi of International Trade Fairs, the U.S. show promoter, (514) 685-3530, or visit the website.

RepCan 2005 - Business Matchmaking Event - Toronto, Canada
RepCan 2005 will be held June 14-15 2005 in Toronto, Canada. RepCan, in its ninth year, is Canada’s largest multi-sector event, open to all industry sectors, and has produced export success stories every year. RepCan 2005 is geared to assisting small-to-medium, export ready companies to realize their potential in Canada’s largest market, Ontario, and to become part of the $1 billion a day U.S. – Canada trade relationship.

Should you desire more details or have questions regarding RepCan 2005 participation, you may contact Ms. Madellon Lopes, Commercial Service Toronto at Tel: 416-595-5412 Ext. 227 OR you may request participation information from Ms. Lopes by completing and submitting an on-line Response Form.

Safety and Security Trade Mission to Latin America, June 12-17, 2005
Consider new export opportunities by participating in a U.S. Department of Commerce Commercial Service trade mission to Venzuela, Colombia, and Panama. The safety and security sector is of paramount importance to these three countries. Everything from basic physical security to high-tech solutions for access control is needed in the banking, maritime and air transport, industrial and residential sectors. The combined market worth is estimated to be close to $200 million annually, with U.S. companies holding a major market share.

Participants will benefit from prearranged meetings with potential agents and distributors, market briefings, and receptions to meet key market players. Meetings will be tailored to individual participant needs. This trade mission will aid you in developing good connections that are a prerequisite for business success in these three countries. For more information contact: Lisa Huot by email or phone at 202-482-2796.

Trade Events List is updated monthly and includes all trade promotion events produced by the International Trade Administration. The list is searchable, includes links to event descriptions, and contact information for local U.S. Export Assistance Centers.

2005 SABIT GRANT PROGRAM
STRENGTHENING U.S. - EURASIAN P ARTNERSHIPS - The Special American Business Internship Training Program (SABIT) is pleased to announce the 2005 Grant Program.

Applications and all supporting documentation must be received by April 1, 2005. Grants will be awarded by September 30, 2005. For more information visit the website, or to be notified of funding availability, please contact Patrick Brennan at (202) 482-2077.
Featured Market

We are pleased to announce Morocco as our newest market of the month! Morocco is an expanding economy strategically situated at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement
(FTA) will create multiple opportunities for U.S. companies. In addition to further opening Moroccan markets to American companies by eliminating tariffs on 95% of exports, the FTA will help level the playing field with European competitors.

Discover how the U.S.-Morocco FTA will open doors for your clients by reading more.
Global Roundup

U.S.– AUSTRALIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
The Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Australia is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2005. Australia's GDP, growing at an annual rate of around 4.5 percent, is larger than any country in the region except Japan or China. It has a well-established commercial and business infrastructure, which contributes to a stable economic environment. Unemployment, inflation and interest rates are at close to historically low levels. Australia continues to be an excellent prospect for both U.S. exports and investment.

For more information on doing business with Australia contact Jim Pittard at the Charleston Export Assistance Center (Tel: 304-347-5123 Ext. 11) or James Fitzgerald at the Wheeling Export Assistance Center (Tel: 304-243-5493).

MANDATORY ELECTRONIC FILING OF SED FOR EXPORTERS
Mandatory use of the Automated Export System for electronic filing of the Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED) will be implemented in the first quarter of 2005. To read more click here.

For AES information, call "AES SUPPORT" toll-free at 1-877-715-4433 or e-mail here or contact Census AES Branch toll-free at 1-800-549-0595 or e-mail here.

U.S. BLOCKS DEALINGS WITH CUBAN MONEY-TRANSFER FIRM
The U.S. Treasury Department recently identified SERCUBA, an electronic money-transfer business, as a national of Cuba. View the entire press release.

FREE AND SECURE TRADE (FAST) PROGRAM
Canada and the United States (U.S.) have agreed to align, to the maximum extent possible, their customs commercial programs along their shared border. For more information on the FAST program, click here. For more information on the Customs Self Assessment (CSA).

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