KWTC News :

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 coal trade mission to South Africa. The trip is scheduled for October 23 - November 1, 2009, and the delegation will visit Cape Town, Johannesburg and Limpopo Province.

South Africa is the world’s second-largest coal exporter after Australia. Its mining industry is well-developed and sophisticated. This trade mission will allow delegates to learn about South Africa's dynamic and growing coal and mining sectors; gain an understanding of the opportunities that exist in the South African market for U.S. companies; and discover successful market entry strategies and how to overcome the associated challenges. Delegation members will also attend the International Coal Science and Technology Conference in Cape Town, where they will meet coal industry leaders from around the world.

The fee for the trade mission is $7800, which includes group events and meetings; underground and surface mine tours; pre-screened, private matchmaking meetings through the Gold Key Service; roundtrip economy international airfare on Delta and economy airfares within South Africa; 4-5 star hotel accommodations; ground transportation; all breakfasts with some lunches and dinners; fees for tour sights and trade mission orientation meeting & follow ups.

For more information, contact Ms. Ying Juan Rogers at 859-258-3139 or yingjuan@kwtc.org.

Click here to view flyer

Cultural tips for global business: Mexico

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

MEXICO - Social:

• It is considered very rude to take the Lord's name in vain in Mexico. If you are the type of person to use a form of the phrase "Oh my God" in your everyday conversation, you may want to practice eliminating it from your vocabulary.
• If you are invited to a Mexican's home, do not arrive on time. Arrive 30 minutes late in most places. Arriving on time or early is considered inappropriate.
• Dress as you would in Europe: Men should wear conservative, dark colored suits; women should wear business suits or conservative dresses.
• Refusing an invitation in Mexico is considered rude, so local residents may agree to meet you and then simply not arrive.

MEXICO - Business:

• Remember that siesta time falls between 2 and 5 pm every day, so don't schedule meetings or gatherings during this time as you are not likely to get much of a response.
• Have all written material available in both English and Spanish.
• Face-to-face meetings are preferred over telephone, letters or email.
• Since Mexicans are status conscious, you should always have someone on your negotiating team who is an executive.
• If you do not speak Spanish, hire an interpreter.
• Negotiations will include a fair amount of haggling. Do not give your best offer first.

Click here to read more

International Trade News :

Legislative update: groundwork being laid for actions later this year
Congress has returned from its Easter recess and is preparing to take up a number of trade-related measures in the coming months. A customs reauthorization bill is expected sooner rather than later, while work on the miscellaneous trade bill and preference program reform is continuing to proceed. There are also indications that legislation to implement the U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement could be sent up to Capitol Hill in the near future. More...

AES filing time frames modified for shipments between U.S. and Puerto Rico
The U.S. Census Bureau has modified the Automated Export System filing time frames for shipments between the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Since Puerto Rico is part of the ”Customs territory of the United States,” shipments between the U.S. and Puerto Rico are exempt from the advance filing requirements set forth in the Foreign Trade Regulations that were issued last year. More...

USTR trade policy priorities include advancing FTAs, improved enforcement
In what was billed as his first major policy address since taking office, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk recently laid out his trade policy priorities for the coming year. Kirk’s comments were consistent with the direction the Obama administration has charted on trade thus far, but some aspects are already being challenged by members of Congress. More...

Lacey Act import declaration now required for certain wood products
The first phase of enforcement of the new Lacey Act import declaration requirement for plants and plant products went into effect May 1. Subsequent phases are scheduled to be rolled out every six months. U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently posted to its Web site guidance on complying with this requirement. More...

EU bans mold-prevention chemical in consumer products
Effective May 1, the European Union has banned the use of the chemical dimethylfumarate in consumer products such as sofas, shoes and soft toys. No consumer product containing DMF may be placed on the market in the EU, and any such products already on the market must be recalled and withdrawn without delay. This action is an EU-wide emergency measure that supersedes national bans enacted by France, Belgium and Spain. A more permanent regulatory solution will be considered in the future. 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 :

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

Commercial Specialist
from Singapore to
visit Kentucky

Mr. Yui Kei Chan, U.S. Embassy Singapore, will be available for private meetings in Louisville and Lexington May 13-15, 2009.

Mr. Chan is responsible for helping U.S. companies in the Singapore market.  He has assisted companies in a variety of industries such as building & construction, technology, energy and the environment.  Mr. Chan's portfolio extends to other industries, including transportation, education, tourism, and warehousing.

To schedule a meeting,
please contact:

Louisville = 502-582-5066  (Brian.Miller@mail.doc.gov)
Lexington = 859-225-7001 (Sara.Moreno@mail.doc.gov)

Succeeding in a
Changing Economy

Business Summit presented by the Japan/America Society of Kentucky

Wednesday, May 27
11:30am-3:30pm

Opening Remarks:
Hiroshi Sato,
Japanese Consul General

Key Note Address: Recent Changes in the Japan/America Trade Relationship
Richard Katz, Editor-in-Chief, The Oriental Economist Report, New York

Panel: Strategies and Opportunities in a Changing Economy

Moderator:
Tom Martin, Editor-in-Chief,
Business Lexington
Panelists:
Steve St. Angelo, President, TMMK
Kris Kimel, President,
KY Science and Technology Center
Lou Allegra, Chair,
Vistage International

Luncheon and panel cost: $99
(use promo code kwtc)

Click here to register online
Click here to view flyer

Check out our
Calendar of Events!

Member News :

Papa John’s 1Q profit
up 107 percent

Papa John’s International Inc. more than doubled its first-quarter profit despite a 1.4 percent dip in revenue.

Louisville-based Papa John’s (NASDAQ: PZZA) said its first-quarter net income rose to $17.8 million, or 64 cents per share, from $8.6 million, or 30 cents per share, a year earlier.

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.