Every year over 700 manufacturers, industry experts and MEP field staff join together to learn and connect, bringing the experience back to their organizations and continuing to build a strong & competitive U.S. manufacturing base. The event truly brings the “voice of manufacturing” and “voice of government” to an open, educational and sharing environment that makes a measurable impact on U.S. manufacturing.

The theme for Manufacturing Innovations 2011 represents MEP’s focus on providing U.S. manufacturers with the information they need on new emerging technologies, partnerships, methodologies and ultimately new business opportunities to ensure profitable growth.

Reviews FTZ applications, designates site licenses, and provides information/education concerning how special customs procedures allowing domestic activity involving foreign items may be used in FTZ. FTZ can offset customs advantages available to overseas producers who compete with domestic producers. Helps facilitate and expedite international trade and exports, attract offshore activity and the retention of domestic activity, and create employment opportunities.

Click here for more information: http://www.trade.gov/ftz

The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 created a new deduction for domestic production activities to be phased in over a 5-year period. For 2005 and 2006, the deduction is based on 3% of the lesser of qualified production activities income or taxable income (adjusted gross income for individual taxpayers) determined without regard to the deduction. For 2007-2009, the deduction percentage rises to 6% and then to 9% for subsequent years. In general, the amount of deduction allowable for any taxable year is limited to 50% of W-2 wages paid by the taxpayer.

Includes an investment chapter similar to BITs to protect direct and portfolio investment by providing and open, predictable legal framework.

Click here for more information: http://www.ustr.gov/trade-agreements 

The U.S. bilateral investment treaty (BIT) program helps to protect private investment, to develop market-oriented policies in partner countries, and to promote U.S. exports.

The BIT program's basic aims are:

• to protect investment abroad in countries where investor rights are not already protected through existing agreements (such as modern treaties of friendship, commerce, and navigation, or free trade agreements);
• to encourage the adoption of market-oriented domestic policies that treat private investment in an open, transparent, and non-discriminatory way; and
• to support the development of international law standards consistent with these objectives.

U.S.