KWTC News :

Cultural tips for global business: UAE

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

DO's:

• DO dress conservatively. While the UAE is more Westernized than many other Middle Eastern countries and therefore home to many Western-style clothes, it is still important to dress modestly. As a sign of respect, men should wear a conservative suit and women should ensure their clothing covers their legs and arms.
• DO shake the hand of upon meeting someone; however, avoid shaking a woman’s hand unless she extends her hand first.
• DO accept an invitation to a meal or social event. Relationships are an integral part of doing business in the Emirates. Spending time with your Emirati counterparts is the best way to build trust and mutual understanding.

DON'Ts:

• DON'T use your left hand while greeting or handing things to people, as it is considered unclean.
• DON'T sit in such a way that the soles of your feet are pointing at someone else.
• DON'T make phone calls or schedule meetings for Friday, as this is the Muslim day of prayer
• DON'T forget to address your Emirati counterparts with the appropriate titles followed by his or her first name. If unsure, it is best to get the names and correct form of address of those you will be doing business with before hand.

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International Trade News :

New legislation would provide duty-free access for textiles and apparel from 14 least-developed countries
Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Kit Bond, R-Mos., introduced May 21 a bill (S. 1141) that would grant duty-free treatment to textile and apparel goods, up to a limit, from the 14 least-developed countries that are not currently beneficiaries under any U.S. preference program: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kiribati, Laos, Maldives, Nepal, Samoa, Solomon Islands, East Timor, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Yemen. The same benefits would be made available to Sri Lanka as well. More...

Legislative update: Expanded trade preferences possible, export controls reform moves ahead
Congress took a number of trade-related actions last week ahead of its Memorial Day recess. A bill to extend trade preferences to additional countries was reintroduced, and a foreign relations bill that includes export reform measures and increased resources for intellectual property rights enforcement began moving through the House. Efforts to advance a miscellaneous trade bill and legislation implementing the U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement are continuing as well. More...

June 24 deadline for importers to seek duty-free treatment
The U.S. government has set a June 24 deadline for requests to extend duty-free treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences to additional products. GSP offers companies an opportunity to lower costs for manufacturing inputs and other goods, a particularly attractive option in the current global economic environment. Those interested in taking advantage of this program are advised to seek professional assistance to ensure that their applications are complete and timely filed. More...

House members circulate modified food safety bill
Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee released last week a discussion draft of the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, which is largely based on the food provisions of the Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of 2009 (H.R. 759) introduced in January. The committee has scheduled a hearing on the measure for June 3. More...

Auto parts exporters face higher costs in Venezuela
Companies exporting automotive parts to Venezuela are facing higher costs after a recent administrative action imposed new requirements on those goods. More...

Comprehensive Chinese food safety law effective as of June 1
A sweeping new Chinese food safety law enacted in the wake of several food safety incidents that tainted the “Made in China” brand worldwide entered into force June 1. This law toughens penalties against makers and traders of food, establishes a Cabinet-level food safety commission to improve coordination between departments and agencies, strengthens monitoring, streamlines food safety standards, establishes procedures for recalling substandard products and tightens import and export enforcement. 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 :

Looking Into the Immigration Crystal Ball:  Critical Topics for 2009 and 2010

part of the
Global Business Connections series

Tuesday, June 16
12:00-1:30pm

Frost Brown Todd
Aegon Tower, 32nd Floor
400 West Market Street
Louisville, KY 40202

Frost Brown Todd
Lexington Financial Center, 28th Floor, 250 West Main Street
Lexington, Kentucky 40507

Please join us for an informative session on the sweeping and potential changes that are upcoming in the area of immigration reform and compliance.

$10 KWTC members
$20 nonmembers
(lunch provided)

REGISTER NOW

Click here to view flyer

Special thanks to our sponsor:

presented in partnership with
Greater Louisville Inc

For more info, contact Marie Davis at 859-258-3139 or marie.davis@kwtc.org.

Global Business Forum:
Ignite Growth - Resources for Going Global

Wednesday, June 17
7:30-9:00am

Hyatt Regency Louisville
320 W. Jefferson Street
Louisville, KY

Presented by GLI, in partnership with Kentucky World Trade Center (KWTC) and Presenting Sponsor Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs.

Special guest panelists include:

Peggy Pauley
Director, U.S. Export Assistance Center
Mark Peachey
State Director, International Trade, Kentucky Cabinet of Economic Development 
John Waugh
Vice President of Marketing, PHOENIX Process Equipment Co.

Moderator:
Edwin Webb, President & CEO, Kentucky World Trade Center.

GLI & KWTC Members $30
Guests $50

REGISTER NOW

For more information, call
502-625-0156 or email registration@greaterlouisville.com

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Calendar of Events!

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Trade Corner :

KWTC to lead South Africa coal trade mission

The Kentucky World Trade Center, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, will lead a mining technology trade mission to South Africa. The trip is scheduled for October 23 - November 1, 2009, and the delegation will visit Cape Town, Johannesburg and the Mpumalanga / KwaZulu-Natal Provinces.

Click here to view flyer

South Africa has the world’s sixth largest recoverable coal reserves at 54 billion short tons, approximately 5 percent of the world total. Almost one-third of coal produced in South Africa is exported, with the primary importers being the European Union (Germany and Spain) and East Asia (Japan). For more information about the South African coal market, click here.

KWTC membership means global business opportunities.
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