May is World Trade Month!
World Trade Week was an idea that was born in 1926, during a time when isolationism dominated U.S. policy and popular opinion. The manager of the World Trade Department in Los Angeles conceived the idea originally to promote the growth of southern California ports.
World Trade Week soon expanded its scope reaching national proportions with President Franklin D. Roosevelt giving a Presidential Proclamation declaring the third week in May as World Trade Week. In the wake of World War II, the growing American economy, increased international commerce and expanding global markets caused international trade to take a larger role in U.S. policy and popular opinion. World Trade Week became more widely celebrated amongst the business and government communities.
Since then, World Trade Week has continued to expand its scope and influence, now encompassing the entire month of May and celebrated by businesses, associations and governments around the world.
The Commercial Service and International Trade Administration recognize the entire month of May as World Trade Month. U.S. exports, free and fair trade, with a special focus this year on Free Trade Agreements are celebrated during the month of May throughout the world. This year’s trade agenda includes the pending Colombia, Korea, and Panama Free Trade Agreements.
For more information on Free Trade Agreements, visit www.trade.gov/fta/index.asp
World Trade Month Events
May 22
US/Canada Cross Border Seminar
Event to be held in Ogdensburg, NY.
Find International Buyers and Extend Credit
Held in Boulder, CO, this program will also address special enhancements for small business exporters, exporters of environmental products/services and exporters of medical equipment.
June 24
China's Publishing Industry: Market Opportunities & Regulatory Challenges for U.S. Exporters Webinar
This live internet briefing explores China's book and publishing industry.
Market Opportunities in India Webinar
This webinar will focus on U.S. companies already succeeding in India's booming market and discusses promising industry sectors for U.S. exporters.
For a complete list of events go to:www.export.gov/worldtrademonth/wtm_events.asp
South America Trade Mission CANCELLED
Due to lack of participation, the WV Development Office cancelled the scheduled trade mission to Chile and Brazil. Obviously, the timing was bad for this event. We will revisit these markets in the future. If you are currently interested in these markets, you may make the trip on your own using the Gold Key Service with the US Commercial Service. Please contact Debra Martin at dmartin@wvdo.org or 304-558-2234 for any questions.
Understanding International Traffic in Arms (ITAR) Regulations Seminar
Date: June 19, 2008
Time: 9am - 3pm
Location: Clarion Hotel, 233 Lowe Drive
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
Cost: $99, includes lunch
Speaker: Margaret Gatti, Esquire, Dilworth Paxson LLC
Most export transactions do not require specific approval from the U.S. Government. However, certain export transactions involving national security, foreign policy, short-supply, nuclear non-proliferation, missile technology, chemical and biological weapons, regional stability, crime control, or terrorist concerns require legal permission called an export license prior to shipment.
This seminar will provide an overview of the important elements of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and will improve the participants’ abilities to identify the export control concerns for ITAR and EAR controlled goods at an early stage in the procurement process.
For more information on the event please contact one of the specialists below:
Bill Burwell, Baltimore USEAC Director
Phone: 410-962-4539
Email: bill.burwell@mail.doc.gov
Leslie Drake, Charleston WV USEAC Director
Phone: 304-347-5123
Email: Leslie.Drake@mail.doc.gov
Michael Boyles, Wheeling International Trade Specialist
Phone: 304-243-5493
Email: michael.boyles@mail.doc.gov
Mining Webinars!
The U.S. Commercial Service, in conjunction with Mining Media, is hosting two upcoming interactive web-based market briefings for U.S. exporters of mining and coal related equipment and services.
Poland and Turkey: Opportunities for U.S. Mining and Coal Related Equipment and Service Companies
Date: May 28, 2008
Time: 9:30 am Eastern Time
Location: Your Computer
Cost: $45
To register for the web-based briefing or for additional information please go to http://www.buyusa.gov/
pittsburgh/tpminingwebinar.html
South Africa: Opportunities for U.S. Mining and Coal Related Equipment and Service Companies
Date: June 5, 2008
Time: 11:00 am Eastern Time
Location: Your Computer
Cost: $35
To register for the web-based briefing or for additional information please go to http://www.buyusa.gov/pittsburgh/
southafricamining.html
These webinars are part of a larger series of webinars that will continue through the spring and summer of 2008. For more information on the webinar series please visit www.buyusa.gov/pittsburgh/
coalandminingwebinars.html or contact Shannon Fraser at 202-482-3609/ email shannon.fraser@mail.doc.gov or Steven Murray at 412-644-2819/email steven.murray@mail.doc.gov.
How to Develop an Export Management & Compliance Program
- Interested in learning about smart export compliance business strategies?
- Looking for effective solutions to address an export compliance problem?
- Need guidance on developing or enhancing your export management and compliance program?
Join the Director of the Export Management and Compliance Division, Bureau of Industry and Security, and other government Compliance Specialists in this dynamic two-day seminar designed to help you create or enhance your company's export compliance program.
Atlantic City, NJ, June 26-27,
San Jose, CA, July 9-10,
Washington, D.C., August 13-14
This seminar focuses on industry best practices of effective export management and compliance programs that help your company efficiently manage your export compliance requirements by implementing strategies and safeguards that can minimize the risk of an export violation. This seminar will include small group discussion, hands-on exercises, one-on-one counseling opportunities, and compliance peer-networking.
Prerequisite: Participants should have a working knowledge of U.S. export regulations. This is not a regulatory seminar and does not cover subjects such as how to classify your product or how to determine whether or not your export requires a license.
Please visit our website at http://www.bis.doc.gov/seminarsandtraining
/elsem.htm for more information and registration details.
Trade Lead!
Panama Canal New Locks Project Provides Opportunities for U.S. Companies
Panama’s $5.25 billion project to expand the Panama Canal is moving forward. Interested U.S. companies should make their interests and capabilities known to the four pre-qualified groups competing for the design/build contract for the new locks for the Panama Canal. Major U.S. construction and engineering firms, as well as exporters of a variety of goods and services, could be potential suppliers to any of the four pre-qualified groups. To learn more or to contact the leadership for the pre-qualified consortia for construction of the new Panama Canal locks, visit http://www.export.gov/eac/show_detail_
trade_leads.asp?TradeLeadID=6827. For more information, contact Monica McFarlane at monica.mcfarlane@mail.doc.gov.
Promoting Prosperity and Economic Opportunity Throughout the Americas
August 17-19, 2008, in Atlanta, Georgia
The Forum will provide an opportunity for business-to-business and business-to-government discussions yielding practical actions that can be taken to improve competitiveness and economic prosperity in the Americas.
The Americas Competitiveness Forum will provide a venue for government ministers from the Western Hemisphere to come together with leaders from the private sector, academia, and non-governmental organizations, to explore cutting edge ideas and best practices in several key areas of competitiveness.
The ACF's main tracks are:
- International Trade Logistics
- Market Opportunities in the Americas
- Environmental Sustainability
- Alliances in Business and Education
For more information, and to register, please visit www.competitivenessforum.com
To view the agenda and hear webcasts from Americas Competitiveness Forum 2007 visit http://www.ita.doc.gov/competitiveness
/ACF/index.asp.
Upcoming Webinars!
Below are upcoming Commercial Service initiatives designed to connect you to business opportunities around the world. If you have any questions about these initiatives, please contact your local U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist. To find the trade specialist nearest you please visit http://www.buyusa.gov/home/us.html.
Webinar: Doing Business with the Arab States of the Persian Gulf
Venue: Your computer
Date: May 22, 2008
Time: 11:00 am ET
Price: $35
Register: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/
newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=8Q55 (Webinar access information will be sent upon registration)
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates comprise one of the world’s fastest growing economic regions. Their booming economies provide companies with exciting business opportunities. Get an overview of these markets and explore business opportunities during this webinar. Speakers include experts and commercial officers from the region. For more information please contact Anita Walker at Anita.Walker@mail.doc.gov.
Seminar: Doing Business with the World Bank - Opportunities for Consultants
Venue: Northern Virginia U.S. Export Assistance Center, Arlington, Virginia
Date: May 28, 2008
Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm ET
Price: $175
Register: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/
newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=8Q4S (More information sent up on registration)
Learn how to tap into the World Bank’s $15-20 billion in contract awards each year. Identify and understand opportunities with the World Bank, obtain an overview of the consultant selection procedures, and get tips on how to prepare an effective proposal. The training will be provided by Senior World Bank Procurement Officers. For additional information contact Sandra Collazo at Sandra.Collazo@mail.doc.gov.
Webinar: Intellectual Property Rights in China
Venue: Your computer
Date: May 29, 2008
Time: 2:00pm ET
Price: $35
Register: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/
newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=8Q56 (Webinar access information will be sent upon registration)
Growing markets like China offer exciting trade opportunities but can also raise concerns about intellectual property protection. Learn how to identify your intellectual property assets, protect your intellectual property, and consider strategies for enforcing your intellectual property rights against infringers. Also discover the numerous U.S. government resources that can help you protect and enforce your intellectual property rights at home and in China. For more information, contact Jennifer Young at Jennifer.Young@mail.doc.gov.