Selling to Vietnam - 25 Hot Manufacturing Sectors

The U.S. Commercial Service presents a new Webinar series to introduce you to profitable new markets abroad. Hear from and ask questions of in-country experts in world markets and learn about new markets for your products. Join us online FREE for our first live presentation on:

Selling to Vietnam - 25 Hot Manufacturing Sectors
November 15, 2005
10:00a.m.CST

Vietnam is an emerging market for American businesses, with recent annual GDP growth at 7-8%, industrial production expanding at double that rate, and market openings achieved by the U.S. - Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement in 2001. Learn about opportunities for your firm from Senior Commercial Service Officer in the U.S. Embassy, Hanooi, Miguel Pardo de Zela.

To participate: All you need is a computer with speakers and a high-speed Internet connection. After registering for the event, we'll send you a Web link to log on.

If you can't attend the live event: You can register to watch the archived version and still submit questions that will be personally answered after the Webinar.

Contact Linda Abbruzzese to get your pass code for the FREE Vietnam Webinar.

Watch for future Webinars on:

• Capitalizing on CAFTA-DR - Jan 19, 2006 10:00a.m. CST
• South Africa - Alive with Possibilities - Feb 2, 2006 10:00a.m. CST
• Opportuniteis in China - TBD 1:00p.m. CST
• Opening Markets in India - Apr 4, 2006 - 10:00a.m. CST
• Selling Overseas 101: Strategic Exporting - May 9, 2006 1:00p.m. CST

Sharing More Than Just a Border, U.S. Commercial Ties with Mexico

The U.S. Commercial Service Mexico is presenting a monthly web-based seminar series introducing the Mexican commercial climate to American companies. Sessions will cover general commercial and economic information, cultural differences, legal aspects, and financing and trade logistics, among others. The next session date and topic is: November 17 – Finding a Partner/Establishing a Business in Mexico. There is no registration fee, but pre-registration is required to insure your access to the web-based seminar. For details and to register, Click Here.

Canadian Government Procurement Opportunities Waiting for U.S. Companies

There are billions of dollars of Canadian government procurement opportunities waiting for U.S. companies to tap into! Canada's internet-based electronic tendering service (MERX) , coupled with free trade agreements, has opened the door for U.S. companies to successfully compete in this lucrative market. The MERX system has virtually eliminated barriers like geography and size, and has created a level playing field for everyone interested in doing business within the public sector. Winning government contracts has never been easier! Log onto the MERX website free of charge at http://www.merx.com/Services/AboutMERX/English/MK_SiteMap.asp?FLASH=Yes to see how MERX can help you win Canadian government contracts. The federal government procures approximately US$3-5 billion a year in goods, services and construction. Estimates put procurement by municipalities, school boards, universities and hospitals at over US$ 22 billion a year. In addition, the ten provincial governments also list their procurements on MERX.

Japan: Market of the Month

With the largest and most diverse economy in Asia, Japan offers a wealth of opportunities for U.S. companies. Thousands of U.S. businesses have established successful operations in Japan and even more export to Japan regularly. Restructuring within the Japanese economy, bilateral negotiations, and technological changes have opened the Japanese market in many sectors where U.S. companies are globally competitive -- telecommunications, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, energy, information technology, financial services, and much more! Learn more about opportunities in Japan today, go to: http://www.export.gov/comm_svc/press_room/marketofthemonth/Japan/japan.html

U.S. Commercial Service Opens Office in Dakar, Senegal

A new U.S. Commercial Service Office opened recently in Dakar, Senegal, which completes a network across Western Africa that will help U.S. companies get a foothold in 18 emerging markets. The new office includes a Senior Commercial Officer and two Commercial Service Specialists. Located in central Dakar, the office will serve as a regional hub for Cote D’Ivoire, Chad, The Gambia, Mauritania, Benin, Gabon, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Guinea Conakry, Togo, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea. The office will help U.S. and West African businesses forge new partnerships through business counsel, market research, help in identifying qualified suppliers and assistance in promoting U.S. products and services in West Africa. For more information on doing business in West Africa, go to http://www.buyusa.gov/westafrica

European Union Fact Sheet Profiles

The U.S. State Department recently issued a fact sheet profiling the European Union. Information includes the geography, people, government and history of the EU, U.S.-EU relations, trade and foreign direct investment and much more. For a copy of the fact sheet, go to http://usinfo.state.gov/eur/Archive/2005/Oct/04-180140.html

Initiatives To Fight Intellectual Property Theft

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez recently unveiled new Bush Administration initiatives to fight intellectual property theft. The new initiatives include the appointment of intellectual property rights (IPR) experts in key overseas countries including Brazil, China, India, and Russia, a new Small Business Outreach program to educate U.S. small businesses on how to protect their IPR, and a Global Intellectual Property Academy that will provide training programs for foreign government officials on global IPR issues. The Secretary said that the Bush Administration "is committed to stopping trade in pirated and counterfeit goods," adding that intellectual property theft "is not tolerated and will not be tolerated." IP theft costs U.S. businesses an estimated $250 billion per year, and 750,000 American jobs.

New Russia IPR Took Kit

The U.S. Embassy Moscow's web-based Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Toolkit is designed to assist the business community in better understanding IPR protection in Russia. The Toolkit contains materials describing the scope of the IPR issue in Russia, links to relevant legislation and other resources, suggestions regarding what American companies can do to protect their IPR, as well as steps rights holders should consider after an infringement comes to their attention. While Russian IPR legislation has improved considerably in recent years and the Russian government has become increasingly engaged in this important issue, the Russian government still faces serious challenges in the area of enforcement. We engage on a wide range of issues, including the benefits of more effectively enforcing legislation through increased penalties, lowering the threshold for criminalization, improving the effectiveness of law enforcement and fixing remaining shortcomings in IPR legislation. Improvement of IPR protection is a high priority for the United States Government and Embassy Moscow, and we stand ready to assist you. To access the tool kit, please go to:http://www.usembassy.ru/bilateral/bilateral.php?record_id=ipr

For Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Tools Kits for the following countries: China, Korea, Mexico and Taiwan, go to: http://www.stopfakes.gov/

BISNIS Bulletin Fall Issue Now Available

The Fall issue of the Business Information Service for the Newly Independent States (BISNIS) newsletter includes: Finding a Distributor for your Product in Russia; BISNIS Interview: Sakhalin Oil Creates Opportunities in the Russian Far East; Worldwide Business Visa Center Opens; Moldova Construction Materials Sector Overview; Eurasian Chemical Scientists in Cincinnati; Upcoming Events; Brief Update on Ukraine’s Business Climate; and U.S. Commercial Service Catalog Show. To view the latest issue, please visit: http://www.bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/BULLETIN/sep05.cfm

Libya: Country Commercial Guide Now Available

Trade between the U.S. and Libya, including the import/export of goods or services, is now permitted, though some commercial transactions remain subject to Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) export controls. On September 20, 2004, President Bush terminated the 1986-declared state of emergency against Libya and revoked related Executive Orders. This action removed most economic sanctions against Libya, and released Libyan assets frozen in the U.S. Libya remains on the U.S. State Sponsor of Terrorism (“6J”) List and is therefore subject to associated sanctions, including goods and technology controlled for export to Libya under the terms of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) Export Administration Regulations (EAR). On June 28, 2004, the United States reestablished direct diplomatic relations with Libya, and upgraded its Interests Section to a U.S. Liaison Office (USLO). The Commercial Section of the U.S. Liaison Office (USLO-Tripoli) provides a limited set of support services for U.S. citizens and businesses, including information on local economic conditions, sector specific information and referrals to local service providers. The Country Commercial Guide for Libya is now available. To obtain a copy of the 48-page document produced by the U.S. State Department and U.S. Commerce Department, please visit: http://www.buyusa.gov/egypt/en/businesslibya.html

Wood Used for Blocking, Bracing & Pallets – Impact on International Shipments

Effective September 16, 2005, the United States, in cooperation with Mexico and Canada, began implementing a new requirement for the international phytosanitary standard (ISPM #15) for Wood Packaging Material (WPM) entering North America. All wood packaging materials are covered by the new rule, including wooden packaging materials such as pallets, crates, boxes, and pieces of wood used to support or brace cargo. Governments will require all wood going to or from the United States, Mexico, and Canada to be kiln dried or heat-treated to minimum specifications. For additional details on this requirement known as ISPM #15, go to the US Department of Agriculture’s website at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/wpm/wpm.html To view U.S. Customs and Border Protection Wood Packaging Materials FAQs, go to http://www.customs.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/wpm/wpm_faq.ctt/wpm_faq.doc

UPCOMING TRADE SHOWS AND EVENTS

Arab Health 2006 - January 22-25, 2006

Are you missing out on a GREAT market for U.S. Medical Products? To learn more on various ways to participate in this event, Click Here.

USA Pavilion at ExpoComm 2006 - February 14-27, 2006

Expo Comm Mexico City is the largest IT and telecom show in the country. It covers fixed and wireless communications, services and equipment. The USA Pavilion is planning on expanding by 50% over the 2004 event to cover the demand for this service. Participants will benefit from: High-Profile location USA - branded Pavilion and marketing material Pavilion Catalog, On-site meeting space,Participation in Technical Seminar Series, Invitation to Technical Conference. For more information, please contact the U.S. Export Assistance Center at 314-425-3302.

Asian Aerospace 2006 - Singapore – February 21-26, 2006

Asian Aerospace 2006, anchoring the dynamic multi-billion aviation and defense industry in Asia, is one of the top air shows in the world. Asian Aerospace 2006, the region's premier air show, will spotlight the latest aviation and aerospace technologies. With its escalating demand, the Asia-Pacific marketplace is a top attraction for both defense and civil aerospace manufacturers and suppliers. Strongly supported by the Government of Singapore, Asian Aerospace 2006 is a must attend event for U.S. aerospace manufacturers and suppliers interested in marketing their products to the captains of the aerospace industry and military leaders in Asia. For more information, please contact the U.S. Export Assistance Center at 314-425-3302.

Expo Manufactura 2006 - Mexico – March 7-9, 2006

The 12th edition of Mexico's largest metalworking/manufacturing exhibition featuring machine tools, automation, assembly technology, quality manufacturing, CAD/CAM, robotics, software, coil-winding, and welding technologies. Expo Manufactura is Mexico's most important manufacturing show, held in Monterrey, the "Industrial Heart of Mexico" and home to more than 13,000 manufacturers. Fortune Magazine calls Monterrey "the best city in Latin America in which to do business". U.S. companies are encouraged to exhibit in the USA Pavilion at Expo Manufactura to help ensure that you leave Mexico with the contacts needed to penetrate this important manufacturing market. For more information contact the U.S. Export Assistance Center at 314-425-3302.

World Trade Center Saint Louis offers Chancellor Certificate Program

Developing and Implementing an International Business Plan:
A Chancellor’s Certificate in International Trade Course
This course is designed to help your company prepare to enter international markets. This course will help you develop a strategic plan and work to overcome business language barriers and cultural sensitivites. Instructor: Larry Taylor, founder of Aziotics.

Planning and Conducting International Negotiations
A Chancellor’s Certificate in International Trade Course
This course will help you develop an ability to conduct negotiations successfully in a variety of international settings. It emphasizes cultural analysis and the use of practical methodology for succeeding at the negotiating table. Instructor: Larry Taylor, founder of Aziotics.

For more information on either of these programs, please visit the World Trade Center Saint Louis' website: http://www.worldtradecenter-stl.com