The U.S. Department of Commerce, through the Commercial Service arm of the International Trade Administration, has launched a new initiative that establishes an expert network of “digital attaches” in six to eight key markets, including ASEAN, Brazil, China, Japan, India, and the European Union. This initiative will enhance efforts to advance commercial diplomacy, drive policy advocacy on technology issues, ensure linkages between trade policy and trade promotion efforts, and provide front-line assistance for U.S. small and medium enterprises to take advantage of the robust e-commerce channels.
Digital trade officers’ responsibilities will include: assisting U.S. companies increase exports through global E-commerce channels, accessing the global online marketplace, and navigating digital policy and regulatory issues in foreign market. Training for attaches will be coordinated through ITA, with assistance from agencies and bureaus across the Commerce Department.
Digital Attache Fact Sheet (via Commerce.gov) The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced significant amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) earlier this week. These changes, coupled with the arrangement recently announced by the Departments of State and Transportation allowing scheduled air service between the United States and Cuba, will significantly increase the ability of U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba to directly engage with the Cuban people. Additionally, these regulations expand Cuba and Cuban nationals’ access to U.S. financial institutions and the U.S. dollar from Cuba, and will expand the ability for Cubans legally present in the United States to earn stipends and salaries beyond living expenses. These amendments further the new direction toward Cuba that President Obama laid out in December 2014. The changes are outlined below and will take effect on March 16, 2016, when the regulations are published in the Federal Register. “Today’s amendments build upon President Obama’s historic actions to improve our country's relationship with Cuba and its people. These steps not only expand opportunities for economic engagement between the Cuban people and the American business community, but will also improve the lives of millions of Cuba’s citizens,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker.
In addition to the keynote interview with Governor Huntsman and Gillian Tett, and opening remarks by Linda Mysliwy Conlin, President of WTCGP; Keith Orris, Senior Vice President for Corporate Relations and Economic Development at Drexel University; and LeBow College of Business Dean Frank Linnehan, Ph.D., the GBC agenda included:
Thank You to our 2016 Global Business Conference Partners and Sponsors!
ARLINGTON, Va. - The U.S. Trade and Development Agency will host three reverse trade missions this spring designed to introduce delegates from high-growth emerging markets to U.S. providers of energy storage solutions.
"USTDA is proud to bring several of our partners from high-growth emerging markets to the United States," said Director Leocadia I. Zak. "These will be our first reverse trade missions focused exclusively on energy storage, an emerging sector that we believe represents tremendous opportunities for both our overseas and U.S. partners." The reverse trade missions will include:
The latter two delegations will attend the Energy Storage Association's 26th Annual Conference and Expo in Charlotte, NC, where industry-leading U.S. firms will showcase their proven energy storage technologies.
For more information about the reverse trade missions, please contact Anna Humphrey at 703-875-4357 or visit https://www.ustda.gov/events/. Media Inquiries: Anna Humphrey | (703) 875-4357
“Importantly, new authorities created by this bipartisan legislation will enhance the Department of Commerce’s ability to coordinate with U.S. Customs and Border Protection on AD/CVD enforcement efforts. The Department will also have access to the newly authorized Trade Enforcement Trust Fund that would make available resources dedicated to monitoring the implementation of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements by our trading partners and to engaging them in capacity building efforts in areas such as labor, environment, and intellectual property protection.”
The Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration leads the efforts to ensure fair and open trade at home and abroad through the rigorous enforcement of U.S. trade laws and agreements.
The Start-Up Nation Changes Direction By Sherwin Pomerantz, President of Atid EDI Ltd., and PA Authorized Trade Rep. and PA Investment Rep. for Israel Originally posted online at atid-edi.com Israel, since the beginning of the high-tech revolution in the early 90s, has rightly earned the title of “Start-Up Nation” given that it is one of the top five centers of technical creativity in the world. I say the top five because rankings vary but clearly outside of the United States, Israel has more start-ups in absolute terms than any country in the world, bar none. With approximately 3,000 of them extant at any given moment, most other country’s stats pale by comparison.
But, of late, there has been a perceptible change in the makeup of the technology coming out of Israel. That change can be described as a switch from developing products to developing features and enhancements. For example, in the past the things for which Israel was famous and which everyone acknowledged as transformational products included:
These are just a few examples of the tech product development that went on for years in Israel and contributed to Israel’s start-up nation reputation. But lately, as we meet young startups seeking funding and strategic partners, we are noticing that the focus has turned to developing features and enhancements rather than specific products. Some current examples:
In each of these cases the developers have created a feature or enhancement that makes current activities either safer, more efficient or more profitable. For those who worry about whether Israel as start-up nation is at risk of losing its “Mojo,” these new directions emanating from local techies clearly illustrate that the creative community here is well ahead of the curve and fully understands where the new opportunities are in technological development. This response augurs well in favor of Israel’s continued superiority as the start-up nation. Sherwin Pomerantz is the President of Atid EDI Ltd., a Jerusalem based business development consulting firm representing the export promotion and investment attraction interest of six U.S. states and the Province of Ontario (Canada) as well as investment attraction efforts for Hong Kong. In addition, over its 25 year history, the firm has successfully raised investment funds for Israeli companies as well as handled business development activities for private firms in locations as diverse as Ireland, France, South Africa and Germany.
Seoul Food & Hotel Korea 2016 (http://www.seoulfoodnhotel.co.kr)
Pennsylvania’s Center for Trade Development is offering its companies a cost-effective way to participate in Seoul Food & Hotel 2016. Exhibiting with Pennsylvania enables small-to-medium-sized companies to make an impact at this prominent food show without the high cost. For more information Contact to Linda Foerster, Center for Trade Development: Phone: 717.214.5306/ E-mail: lfoerster@pa.gov or Steve Shin, PA Korea Office: Phone: +82-2786-7701/ E-mail: sshin@pennsylvania.or.kr Please click here to see the application form for Seoul Food and Hotel Korea
We connect. Another service WTCGP offers: opening doors for Greater Philadelphia business leaders and CEOs of companies of all sizes to connect with a wide array of individuals who can help their businesses grow, such as professional service providers (banks and accounting and law firms), prospective customers and partners and government trade officials. In 2015, our clients and corporate partners met with high level trade officials such as Commissioner of Customs and Border Patrol Gil Kerliowske. Our contacts extend well beyond this region and into more than 100 countries worldwide, through the World Trade Centers Association, comprising 320 WTCs such as our own. Membership in the WTCGP not only opens doors - it helps businesses step through those doorways into broader global markets.
We grow trade. I have already mentioned several company success stories as well as the impressive statistics on increased export sales revenue garnered by companies we counseled in 2015 and previously. These successes are founded on accurate advice and practical knowledge about doing business globally and understanding market trends. One other key element? A positive outlook. While others see the shifting world market - influenced by the gradual slowdown and rebalancing of the Chinese economy and decline in prices for oil and other commodities - WTCGP sees opportunity. In fact, the International Monetary Fund, global growth in emerging market and developing economies will still outpace advanced economies, accounting for more than 70 percent of global growth. In other words: opportunity is knocking! Another key element to trade growth: Knowledge. To this end, on March 3, WTCGP and Drexel University's LeBow College of Business are co-hosting the Annual Global Business Conference. WTCGP can help you navigate this changing world economy, including which markets to consider. This morning, half-day program will feature former U.S. Ambassador to China and Singapore and leading trade official Jon Huntsman as the conference keynote speaker. Using a "fireside chat" format, Governor Huntsman will be interviewed by Gillian Tett, U.S Managing Editor of the Financial Times. With these and other well-informed speakers and networking time, the Global Business Conference also represents opportunity. Please join us on March 3 at Drexel University's Creese Student Center. For more details about this event and our signature World Trade Centers Day Celebration in May, including registration, see immediately below (for GBC) and in our events segment (for the WTC Day Celebration). In closing, I offer warm thanks to our partners whose funding enables WTCGP to continue offering transformative trade counseling services and educational programs. Hats off to you, as well as our member companies and superb trade team, for promoting a thriving global marketplace in our collective backyard. Let us help you generate your next export success! Sincerely, Linda Mysliwy Conlin President World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia From the Hong Kong Trade Development Council / Hong Kong Means Business:
Import and Export Trade Industry in Hong Kong: Hong Kong has been handling a significant portion of the Chinese mainland's expanding external trade. In 2014, about 12% of the Chinese mainland's exports (US$278 billion) and 13% of imports (US$251 billion) were handled via Hong Kong and 60% of Hong Kong's total re-exports were... Read More HKTDC Enterprise Yearbook 2016: To mark the HKTDC’s 50th anniversary, the 2016 edition includes articles on China’s Belt and Road Initiative and ASEAN’s role; 50 must-see products; interviews of start-ups with innovative products; list of trade contacts and HKTDC trade fairs. HKTDC Enterprise was first published in 1967, and its Yearbook 2016 features more than 300 suppliers and over 500 pages of buyer-centric content. An e-version of the yearbook offers interactive content, video and... Read More View Hong Kong Means Business Newsletter (Feb. 3, 2016) |
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