New Fees for Export Assistance Services

The U.S. Department of Commerce Commercial Service will implement a new user fee schedule on May 1, 2008. The new schedule will improve customer service and enable more U.S. companies, especially small firms (in general, those with under 500 employees), to leverage the Commercial Service’s global network of trade experts to increase sales in markets around the world.

“The U.S. Commercial Service is committed to providing our customers with the best solutions possible,” said Israel Hernandez, Assistant Secretary for Trade Promotion of the Commercial Service (CS). “Under our new fee structure, our customers will now pay the same fees worldwide for a CS standard service, no matter where they do business.” For instance, the Gold Key Matchmaking Service will now be $700 for small companies across all markets worldwide. The new schedule maintains low fees for small companies, improving access to CS export assistance for those that most need it. A discount will also be offered as an incentive for qualifying new-to-export companies to try CS services for the first time.

For a full description of the U.S. Commercial Service new user fee schedule, please visit http://www.export.gov/static/user_fees_new.pdf

China’s Second-Tier Cities Offer Opportunity

Thirteen of China’s second-tier cities account for 8% of China’s population but 53% of its total imports – which is why the untapped markets of China’s second-tier cities provide some of the most exciting and lucrative opportunities for U.S. exporters. Reasons to target these cities include: Surging demand Less saturated markets Less competition Chinese economic development policies To identify market opportunities through the American Trading Centers set up in these cities, see http://www.export.gov/china/atc.asp To view a video presentation on these markets, see http://www.export.gov/articles/vid_launch_china.asp •

Trade Compliance Publications

U.S. Customs & Border Protection has a number of Informed Compliance Publications (ICPs) in the “What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About” series. Three publication titles of general interest are:

• What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About Recordkeeping
• What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About Rules of Origin
• What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About Foreign Assembly of the U.S.

To download these documents, visit http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/legal/informed_compliance_pubs//

TRADE FINANCE GUIDE: A QUICK REFERENCE FOR U.S. EXPORTERS, 2008 EDITION

Concise, two-page chapters offer the basics of numerous financing techniques, from open accounts, to forfaiting, to government assisted foreign-buyer financing. Download a copy or order at http://www.ita.doc.gov/media/Publications/abstract/trade_finance_guide2008desc.html

U.S. Passport Card Now Available

U.S. citizens can now begin applying for the new U.S. Passport Card in anticipation of new travel document requirements. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The card may not be used to travel by air. The Department of State will issue this passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. For details, see http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card_3926.html

Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Newsletter

OPIC has recently redesigned their newsletter and will not be sending it out on a quarterly basis. The Winter 2008 issue of OPIC News is now available and includes the following topics:

• Workshops Help U.S. Minority and Women-Owned Businesses
• Go Global Making a Difference in Africa’s Capital Markets
• OPIC Launches Enterprise Development Network (EDN)
• OPIC Organizing Access to Opportunity in the Middle East conference OPIC Announces Greenhouse Gas Initiative

To access this issue, go to http://www/opic.gov/news/newsletter/index.asp

New Export Control Directives Announced

President Bush recently signed directives that will ensure the United States’ dual-use export control policies and practices support the National Security Strategy of 2006, while facilitating the U.S. economic and technological leadership. These new directives will advance a more efficient and transparent export licensing process and enhance dispute resolution mechanisms. They will also help ensure proper levels of control for continued U.S. economic competitiveness and innovation while protecting national security. For more information on the President’s dual use export-control initiative, please visit https://www.bis.doc.gov/pdf/nspd_fact_sheet_1-16-2008.pdf

Doing Business in the Middle East & Africa

Learn more about these markets through a 24-minute program produced by Commercial Service offices in the region. The program is available in two segments via You-Tube. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAlK69pjTnk http://youtube.com/watch?v=2xsgiKfnP9c

Featured Market: Qatar

Qatar may look small, but in commercial terms it is a rising giant. This Persian Gulf Emirate is just larger than Connecticut and its total population is around 1 million. But this country has the world’s third largest reserves of natural gas and one of the highest levels of per capita GDP on earth. Its reform-minded government is carrying out an ambitious plan to transform this small peninsula into a leading international hub for tourism, finance, and education. The Qatari Government is carefully planning multibillion dollar development projects, funded by the country’s burgeoning hydrocarbon wealth, to be implemented in numerous sectors in the coming years. In the next ten years alone, it is estimated that Qatar will invest over $120 billion dollars in the development of the energy and industrial sectors and $50 billion in roads, infrastructure development, housing and real estate, health/medical and sanitation projects.

Leading Sectors For U.S. Exports To Qatar

• Architectural/Construction/Engineering Services
• Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment
• Construction Equipment and Tools
• Oil & Gas Field Machinery and Equipment
• Telecommunications Equipment, Computers and Peripherals
• Education Services and Equipment
• Medical Equipment and Services
• Power Transmission Equipment/Electrical Power Systems

For more information on this market, see http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_1996477.pdf