Middle East & North Africa Trade & Investment Conference

February 10-11, 2008
Dead Sea, Jordan

There are enormous opportunities for the business communities of the United States and Middle East and North Africa region to partner, trade, invest, and transfer and develop new technologies. This conference is a timely opportunity to learn about major trade and investment opportunities in the communications and information technologies, energy, health care, transportation, and water sectors. Discussion topics will also cover economic initiatives and reforms, trade and investment incentives, and identify ways to enhance bilateral and regional commercial ties to accelerate growth and development in our respective economies.

Confirmed to participate are The Honorable Carlos Gutierrez, United States Secretary of Commerce and the Senior Commercial Officers from U.S. Embassies in Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. These officers will be available for one-on-one consultations with conference participants. The event will include discussions with Ministers of Trade and Industry, investors, and business leaders from the U.S., Middle East, and North Africa.

Early bird registration fee, $295 before January 15, 2008; regular registration fee, $395 by February 7, 2008. For more information and to register, visit http://www.bciu.org/ or contact Masooma Hussain at 202-775-6074.

Renewable Energy Trade Mission to Sweden & Denmark

May 26-29, 2008

Demand for renewable and alternative energy and fuels is rising worldwide. The Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, have ambitious goals for increasing their independence from oil and their self-sufficiency in power generation. They are promoting and subsidizing renewable energy R&D, increased use of renewable sources, and identification and adaption of the latest technologies and products. And they are looking for innovative American technologies to achieve their goals. The U.S. Ambassadors in both countries are engaged in alternative energy programs and have developed high-level, close working relationships with government and industry. Join the mission, meet Danish and Swedish public and private sector energy professionals, participate in panel discussions, showcase your products to potential buyers during match-making meetings, visit the World Bioenergy Conference, and more.

For more information, contact Amy.Benson@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov . To register, click here.

Information, Webinar, and Conference on Mexico's National Infrastructure Plan

Mexico's National Infrastructure Plan, announced in July 2007, will present over $250 billion in business opportunities for U.S. and Mexican firms through 2012. Projects in ports, airports, highways, power, oil and gas, and the environment will offer a valuable business pipeline for American primary/subcontractors and suppliers in these sectors. The U.S. Embassy's Commercial Service in Mexico City, working with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, has identified over thirty infrastructure projects and developed a "short list" of concrete, project-by-project opportunities for U.S. exporters. 

Learn more about potential business for your firm by joining our Wednesday, February 6, 2008 webinar "Mexico's National Infrastructure Program: U.S. Executive Project Overview." This free webinar, delivered right to your phone and desktop, will be held from 2-3pm EST and include presentations from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and an executive briefing on selected projects in various sectors. In addition to project overviews, we will describe a unique conference opportunity, "U.S. and Mexico: Building Partnerships in Infrastructure" to be held in Mexico City, Mexico on February 26-28, 2008, which will include 1-1 meetings with key Mexican government, financial institutions, and private sector decision-makers. Please see the information below to learn more about the conference.

To learn more about Mexico's National Infrastructure Program and how your U.S. firm can identify business opportunities, visit https://www.buyusa.gov/mexico/en/infrastructure_webinar.html.

To view the agenda and register for this free webinar for U.S. exporters, visit https://www.buyusa.gov/mexico/en/infrastructure_registration.html.

"U.S. and Mexico: Building Partnerships in Infrastructure" Conference

February 26-28, 2008
Mexico City, Mexico

The USTDA is sponsoring a Conference entitled "U.S. and Mexico: Building Partnerships in Infrastructure" to be held in Mexico City on February 26-28, 2008. The U.S. Foreign Commercial Service in Mexico is co-sponsoring with USTDA on this effort to facilitate U.S.-Mexican business partnerships in infrastructure.

The catalyst for this event is Mexican President Calderon’s launch of the National Program for Infrastructure (NPI) to increase investment in infrastructure from 3% to 8% of GDP by 2012. The NPI highlights projects, primarily in the transportation, energy, and environmental sectors, and outlines goals and strategies to increase the coverage, quality and competitiveness of Mexico’s infrastructure.

With this in mind, the Conference has two main objectives:

1. Identify near-term business opportunities related to the NPI and USTDA’s portfolio in Mexico for U.S. firms, and
2. Promote U.S.-Mexican partnerships linked to these projects to facilitate U.S. exports.

The agenda is being developed with these objectives in mind and will include delegate presentations on project opportunities as well as many networking and prescheduled one-on-one meeting opportunities between U.S. companies, Mexican project delegates, Mexican companies, and U.S. government officials.

If you have questions or would like more information about involvement in Mexico’s infrastructure projects, including how your U.S. firm can access 1-1 meetings with key Mexican government and private sector decision-makers, please contact Janet Bauermeister, Director of the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Spokane, at 509-353-2625 or Janet.Bauermeister@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov .

To register for the February 26-28, 2008 "U.S. and Mexico: Building Partnerships in Infrastructure" Conference in Mexico City, Mexico, visit http://www.trademeetings.com/trademeetings.asp.

Asia/Pacific Business Outlook Conference

April 7-8, 2008
University of Southern California - Los Angeles, CA

• Early Registration: $775 (until March 10)
• Regular Registration: $925 (after March 10)
• USDOC Registration Code: DOC2008

The Asia/Pacific Business Outlook, hosted by the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, with the full support of the U.S. Commercial Service, is the longest running, most successful regional conference of its kind focusing specifically on Asian markets. This conference has made a difference for U.S. exporters, and has become the premier U.S. commercial trade event focusing on the Asia/Pacific region.

APBO 2008 brings the experts closer to you with 14 Senior Commercial Officers from American embassies, consulates and institutes in the following economies: Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. They will each provide market overviews, speak in small-group workshops, and be available for private one-on-one consultations with APBO participants.

For more information on the conference or to register to attend, go to the following site: http://www.apbo2008.com.

For questions or general inquiries, please contact Amy Benson at Amy.Benson@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov or 208-364-7791.

Metropolitan Export Data Series Fact Sheet

Released January 24, 2008

Summary

The Metropolitan Export Series was released on January 24, 2008, by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of the Census and Manufacturing and Services. The metropolitan data series is available for 2005 and 2006. It contains merchandise export values for 369 metropolitan areas, as well as:

• Metro area exports as a percentage of the state total, where possible;
• Product exports to individual countries for the 50 largest metropolitan areas;
• Top five merchandise export categories (3-digit NAICS) by value;
• Merchandise export value and some commodity detail for exports to ten major geographic and economic country groups, including NAFTA, the EU, Asia and South America; and
• For largest metro areas, top five merchandise export destinations by country.

Methodology

All metropolitan merchandise export numbers were tabulated by matching the Origin of Movement (OM) five-digit ZIP codes entered on U.S. export declarations with counties that are assigned to specific metropolitan areas by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). For a complete listing of these metropolitan areas, click here.

Although this new series resembles an earlier metropolitan export series that was discontinued in 2001, there are significant methodological differences. With the introduction of a new electronic collection method, significant changes were observed in the recorded export data. While the Exporter Location Series (the standard measurement of export data at the time) was drastically affected, a separate state export series based upon the OM series was not. The OM series was ultimately adopted as the standard measurement of export data, and a new measurement of metropolitan exports was possible.

In addition, metropolitan areas are redefined with each decennial Census. Earlier data was based on 1990 metropolitan area definitions, and the most recent 2005-2006 series is based on the 2000 Census definitions. Comparisons should not be made between the two series.

Highlights from metro export series for 2006

• Seven metro areas posted 2006 export sales of $25 billion or more. These metro areas were responsible for 30 percent of total U.S. merchandise exports in 2006.
• An additional 30 metro areas exported between $5 billion and $24 billion. These top 37 metro areas accounted for 61 percent of total U.S. merchandise exports in 2006.
• The New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island metropolitan area was the nation’s top exporting metropolis in 2006, shipping a total of $66.2 billion in merchandise to foreign markets.
• In 2006, New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island was followed by Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown ($53.3 billion), Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana ($48.7 billion), Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue ($46.3 billion), and Detroit-Warren-Livonia ($43.3 billion)

State of the Union Fact Sheet on Free Trade

President Bush Calls On Congress To Deliver Growth, Jobs, And Prosperity To The American People By Approving Pending Free Trade Agreements

President Bush will call on Congress to open markets for American workers and entrepreneurs by approving free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. In December, President Bush signed legislation approving the U.S.-Peru free trade agreement, which Congress passed with strong bipartisan support to expand trade and investment and create new opportunities for citizens of both nations. Congress should build on this progress by approving free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea to level the playing field for U.S. products and services in these countries. All three pending free trade agreements include the same labor and environment provisions as the Peru free trade agreement, which the Administration negotiated with Congressional leadership as part of the May 10, 2007, bipartisan agreement on trade policy.

The President will urge Congress to reauthorize and reform the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program to help workers directly displaced by trade take advantage of America's dynamic economy. President Bush believes American workers, farmers, and entrepreneurs can compete with anybody, anywhere as long as the rules are fair. The President also believes the Federal government has a role to play in helping workers directly displaced by trade adjust to changes in our dynamic economy.

The President continues to support America's community colleges, which represent one of the best sources of training for the jobs of the 21st century. As the economy changes and requires different skills, curricula at community colleges are flexible enough to respond quickly to the needs of local employers. Because they are adaptable and accessible, community colleges are increasingly critical providers of job training, both for degree-seekers and for workers seeking to retool, refine, and broaden their skills.

Find the full article at http://www.whitehouse.gov/stateoftheunion/2008/initiatives/FTA.html.

WEBINAR: Education Sector in Vietnam

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Event Summary

Looking to increase your global competitiveness and expand into one of the world's fastest growing markets? The U.S. Department of Commerce Vietnam Team and U.S. Chamber of Commerce invite you to participate in a briefing on the "Top Prospects for U.S. Education Firms". This live teleconference / web seminar will focus on export opportunities in Vietnam in the education sector.

Why Vietnam?

Vietnam is among the top 20 countries of origin with foreign students in the United States with 31+ % growth over last year. With similar growth, it could be top 10. It is also Asia's second fastest-growing economy (behind China and ahead of third-place India) with projected rate of GDP growth reaching 9% in 2008.

Educational reform is critical for Vietnam's continued development; the government of Vietnam is receptive to U.S. assistance; and universities are eager for deeper partnerships with U.S. institutions.

Why Participate In This Interactive Webinar?

• Learn more about the yawning gap of skilled human capital needed by multi-national corporations (MNCs) operating in Vietnam.
• Identify specific areas where US educational institutions can solve the education and training needs of the Vietnamese population.
• Take advantage of US Government programs/services available to boost the flow of Vietnamese students to the United States.

Register for this event

Contacts

Jeff Hamilton, Salt Lake City
International Trade Specialist
Phone: 801-255-1872
Jeff.Hamilton@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

Dao Le, Ho Chi Minh City
Commercial Officer
Phone: 84-8-825-0490
Dao.Le@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

More Information

For more information on this webinar, please visit http://www.buyusa.gov/vietnam/en/vietnam_upcoming_trade_events.html.

WEBINAR: Selling Medical & Dental Equipment in Brazil

Thursday, March 6, 2008 - Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Event Summary

Does your medical equipment have potential in Brazil? Do you know how to register your product in Brazil? Can your in-country distributor help with the regulatory approval process? These and other questions will be answered in the "How to Sell Medical Equipment in Brazil" Webinar.

You'll find out what other companies are doing to be successful in Brazil and get key insights into distribution, marketing, and regulatory issues related to selling medical equipment in Brazil.

This highly focused, interactive seminar in a "virtual classroom" setting will give you the edge you need to sell successfully in the lucrative Brazil market.

Register for this event 

Contacts

Alicia Herrera, Mexico City
Senior Commercial Specialist
Phone: 52-55-5140-2629
Alicia.Herrera@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

Gabriela Zelaya, San Jose CA
International Trade Specialist
Phone: 408-535-2744
Gabriela.Zelaya@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

Jefferson Oliveira, Sao Paulo
Commercial Specialist
Phone: 55/11/5186-7136
Jefferson.Oliveira@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

Pompeya Lambrecht, Phoenix
Senior International Trade Specialist
Phone: 602.277.5223
Pompeya.Lambrecht@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

More Information

For more information about this webinar, please visit http://www.buyusa.gov/arizona/selling_medical_equipment.html.