KWTC News :

Cultural tips for global business: Germany

This post is part of a series we're providing on business and cultural etiquette.

DO's:

• DO look someone in the eyes while shaking their hand, and keep your other hand out of your pocket.
• DO wear understated, formal, and conservative business dress. 
• DO shake hands with everyone upon entering a room, including children.  A quick, firm handshake is traditional. 
• DO arrive on time for everything: punctuality is very important. Call your host if you will be later than 15 minutes.
• DO have all printed material written in both English and German.
• DO get immediately down to business and don't engage in too much small talk.

DON'Ts:

• DON'T make business appointments on Friday afternoons, because many businesses close early on Fridays.   10:00 AM to 5:00 PM with a one-hour lunch are the usual business hours.
• DON'T sit until invited and told where to sit (in business meetings).

Click here to read more

International Trade News :

EU narrows list of U.S. exports subject to Byrd Amendment retaliation
The European Union announced April 17 a decrease in the volume and types of U.S. exports subject to trade sanctions in response to the continuing payout of benefits under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act, or Byrd Amendment. These sanctions are linked to the amount of antidumping and countervailing duty revenues distributed to U.S. industry under the Byrd Amendment, and the EU’s overall retaliation level and the specific products targeted are revised annually to reflect disbursements from the previous year. More...

World Trade Center rebuild faces decades of delays
The rebuilding of New York's World Trade Center site may take up to three decades to complete because the demand for office space has shrunk with Wall Street's falling fortunes. More...

Argentina joins Ecuador in protectionism
Argentina’s Resolution 61 took effect on March 25, 2009. The resolution establishes the requirement of obtaining non-automatic import licenses and certificates of importation on a wide range of goods such as place settings, harvesters, recordable CDs, textile made-ups, air conditioning devices, and more. Typically, non-automatic licenses are used to administer quantitative and other trade restrictions, which are justified in the framework of the WTO. More...

New import requirements for food products containing small amounts of meat/poultry
U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a notice April 14 advising importers of new requirements for imports of food products containing small amounts of meat or poultry. More...

USTR Kirk says Obama wants to move FTAs “sooner rather than later”
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said April 20 that the Obama administration will begin work “immediately” to develop plans for implementing the free trade agreements the U.S. has negotiated with Colombia and Panama. According to Kirk, the president wants both agreements approved by Congress “sooner rather than later.” More...

IMF sees 1.3% drop in global output
The global economy will contract sharply this year and recover only sluggishly in 2010, the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday as it called on governments to sustain or even increase fiscal stimulus next year. More...

Fidel dampens hopes for US-Cuba relations
Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro put a damper on rising hopes for improved US-Cuba relations by saying that apparently conciliatory words from his brother had been misinterpreted. The 82-year-old Castro also signaled on Tuesday that Cuba may be unwilling to make concessions to end 50 years of hostilities with the US because the Cuban government believes it is not at fault for their troubled relations. More...

Did you know?
KWTC members have access to a full database of trade leads, available at wtca.org. For questions, contact marie.davis@kwtc.org.

Featured Events :

Thinking Lean in a Challenging Economy

Thursday, May 7
8:30am-12:30pm

Hilton Garden Inn
110 Grandstand Drive
Georgetown, KY 40324

$95 KWTC members
$125 nonmembers
(lunch provided)

REGISTER NOW

Click here to view flyer

Doing Business with Canada and Mexico

part of the
Global Business Connections series

Tuesday, May 12
12:00-1:30pm

Stites & Harbison
Aegon Tower, 20th Floor
400 West Market Street
Louisville, KY 40202

$10 KWTC members
$20 nonmembers
(lunch provided)

REGISTER NOW

For more information about any
KWTC events, contact Marie Davis
at 859-258-3139 or marie.davis@kwtc.org.

Check out our
Calendar of Events!

Member News :

OWL finds room for challenged workers in regional economy

Opportunity for Work and Learning, a non-profit, 501(C)3 corporation, serves employers in central Kentucky by training and preparing individuals to be ready to make a solid contribution in the workplace. Founded by the Lexington Junior League, over 15,000 people with physical or mental disabilities have participated in OWL’s professional rehabilitation programs since its inception, with over 2,750 successfully employed.

Read more...

Have something to share?
Send us your news!

KWTC membership means global business opportunities.
Don't miss out! For membership information, click here.