Archive for the ‘Market Access and Compliance’ Category

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Brazil Celebrates its Independence

September 20, 2011

Lorrie Fussell is the Brazil Desk Officer in the Market Access and Compliance division of the International Trade Administration.

Earlier this month, Brazil celebrated its Independence Day and it is noteworthy to congratulate Brazil on how far it has progressed. Not only did Brazil celebrate its Declaration of Independence from Portugal, dating back to 7 September 1822, but it can also be said that Brazil has gained its independence from the outdated image as the “country of the future”.  Brazil has arrived!   

With close to 195 million inhabitants and a rapidly growing middle class, Brazil stands out in the global marketplace for the tremendous opportunities it offers U.S. companies.  Total bilateral trade in 2010 amounted to $59.4 billion, over twice the amount of our trade in 2000 at $29.2 billion.  More impressive is the fact that Brazil’s GDP, which stood at $2.17 trillion in 2010, has increased by more than 75 percent in the last 10 years, despite one of the worst global economic downturns in history.  (Source: International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database).  

Presidents Obama and Rousseff address the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum at the last meeting held March 19, 2011 in Brazil.

Presidents Obama and Rousseff address the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum at the last meeting held March 19, 2011 in Brazil.

The United States has a long-standing and close relationship with Brazil. President Barack Obama solidified the bond this past March during his trip to Brazil when he and President Rousseff agreed to enhance cooperation on trade, investment, climate, environment, and sustainable development.  We see that enthusiasm for Brazil mirrored by U.S. companies interested in doing business in the market. Last month, Nicole Lamb-Hale, Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services at the International Trade Administration, accompanied the Export Green Trade Mission to Brazil.  Commerce Under Secretary Francisco Sánchez will inaugurate the first ever U.S. Pavilion at the October 3-4 Off Shore Technology Conference and Trade Show in Rio de Janeiro.  More than 175 American companies will be participating in this trade show, which is supported by the Department of Commerce and highlights the innovation and leadership of U.S. companies in offshore energy development. 

Recognizing that the United States and Brazil are linked both economically and commercially, in 2007 the two governments launched the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum as a means to improve our trading partnership.  The U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum is a public-private partnership between the United Sates and Brazilian Governments which brings together Chief Executive Officers from both countries.  Ten to twelve CEOs from each country develop joint recommendations for the two governments with the goal of increasing bilateral trade and investment for both sides.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Security Council, U.S. co-chairs of the CEO Forum, announced the names of the next U.S. Section to the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum.  These CEOs were appointed to the Forum in order to work with their Brazilian colleagues to develop joint recommendations for the governments to improve international trade and economic growth.  The CEO Forum provides important joint recommendations from the U.S. and Brazilian private sector at a time when both the United States and Brazilian Governments are redefining their economic partnership.    

Working together, the United States and Brazil have made progress on a number of the areas identified by the CEO Forum as a priority.

  • Taking into consideration  the joint recommendation made by the CEOs, the U.S. Trade Representative and the Brazilian Foreign Ministry signed the Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ATEC) this past March. The ATEC will create a framework for deepening our cooperation on trade issues, such as intellectual property rights, trade facilitation, and technical barriers to trade.  The first meeting under the ATEC is expected later this year. 
  • In October 2007, at the inaugural meeting of the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum, the CEOs made visa reform a top priority.  Thanks to the efforts of the group, the United States and the Brazilian Governments extended the visa validity for business and tourist visas from five to ten years, and the issuance of the joint B1/B2 business/tourist visas became a matter of practice in both countries as of May 2010.  In addition, the United States Government has made significant efforts in reducing the visa backlog.  Although visa reform has helped make immeasurable strides in improving travel between our two countries, the CEOs have now asked that the United States consider including Brazil in the Visa Waiver Program
  • In response to the joint recommendation of the CEO Forum to provide greater cooperation between our two governments on energy issues, the United States and Brazilian Governments held the first high-level energy dialogue last month.  This Strategic Energy Dialogue will promote and strengthen partnerships between the governments.  We look forward to working with our Brazilian colleagues as we look for ways to use the SED to strengthen U.S.–Brazil commercial ties in the energy sector.    
  • The CEOs have also been instrumental in recommending improved civil aviation between our countries.  After years of stalled negotiations, an Open Skies Agreement was signed this past March which allows for significant expansion of services between our countries.  Additionally, our governments are now looking to create an aviation cooperation program that would work in partnership with the private sector.

Outstanding recommendations of the Forum still remain, the governments still have their work cut out for them, but we are excited to see what new ideas and recommendations the CEOs will submit to our governments as we move forward.  The continued drive to improve our business relationship is, in the end what will make our partnership a success.

Posted in Competitiveness, Market Access and Compliance | Tagged , | 6 Comments »

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Improved Customs Procedures in Mercosur Countries Focus of Workshop

September 9, 2011

by Ashley Rosen, an international trade specialist in The International Trade Administration’s Market Access and Compliance unit.

Unpredictability and a lack of transparency in customs administration have been a major impediment to doing business with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The four Latin American countries are members of the Mercosur (Mercado Común del Sur, or Southern Common Market) customs union. The World Bank, in its most recent report on the ease of doing business, ranked those four countries in the bottom half of the 183 countries surveyed when it came to “trading across borders.”

Because of this situation, the International Trade Administration (ITA) and the U.S. business community have made improving the customs clearance process a high priority for increasing U.S. exports to the Mercosur countries. Improving customs procedures and reducing delays at these countries’ borders will facilitate U.S. exports, reduce costs, and increase the competitiveness of U.S. products and services in the region.

An important step was taken August 8–9, 2011, when ITA conducted a customs modernization workshop for public and private representatives from the four Mercosur countries in Montevideo, Uruguay. The two-day event occurred because of the close cooperation and participation of the American Chambers of Commerce in Argentina and Uruguay and the National Customs Administration of Uruguay.

More than 250 representatives attended and participated in sessions to promote policy dialogue on customs modernization and to share local best practices in clearing legitimate goods through customs.

Overall, the workshop focused on the need for greater modernization, transparency, and collaboration to improve customs processes. It also sparked a dialogue between public- and private-sector stakeholders, which will lead to increased and improved trade between the United States and the four countries.

This workshop was part of an ongoing customs facilitation effort organized by ITA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the private sector. For more information, contact Ashley Rosen in the ITA’s Market Access and Compliance unit, e-mail: ashley.rosen@trade.gov.

Posted in International Trade Administration, International Trade Update, Market Access and Compliance | Tagged | 1 Comment »

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Russia Encouraged to Develop Transparent Procurement Practices

September 9, 2011

by Tracy Perrelli, an international trade specialist in The International Trade Administration’s Market Access and Compliance unit.

In 2009, President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev met in Moscow to help improve commercial relations between the United States and Russia. To continue this dialogue, a delegation of 13 officials from the Russian Ministry of Economic Development came to Washington, D.C., on May 18–20, 2011, to look at ways to improve government procurement regulations. Oleg Savelyev, deputy minister of economic development, led the Russian delegation.

Michelle O’Neill, deputy under secretary for international trade, encouraged the Russians to adopt government procurement principles that are more in line with the Agreement on Government Procurement of the World Trade Organization (WTO). “If done right, procurement can spur efficiency … and provide opportunities for innovative companies to grow. If done badly, it can waste resources and harm the economy.”

O’Neill attended as coordinator of the U.S.–Russia Business Development and Economic Relations Working Group, a joint U.S.–Russia body that was established because of the 2009 presidential summit. She pointed out the likely benefits to U.S. firms under a procurement system that adheres to international norms. “If Russia implements a procurement system that is more transparent, more receptive to merit, less prone to favoritism—and similar to the system with which U.S. firms are accustomed to dealing when selling to our government—this will spur more business opportunities for U.S companies.”

The meetings came at a critical time because Russia is currently considering ways to improve its government procurement system. Medvedev tasked the Ministry of Economic Development with drafting new procurement legislation by fall 2011.

The Europe division of the International Trade Administration’s Market Access and Compliance unit, with support from six other federal agencies, organized the program for the Russian delegation. Program topics included the principles of transparency and fair competition in the U.S. procurement system, methods of procurement, contract price determination, reverse auctions, use of e-government to enhance efficiency, and an overview of the WTO’s Agreement on Government Procurement.

Posted in International Trade Administration, International Trade Update, Market Access and Compliance, WTO | Tagged , | 2 Comments »

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Talking About APEC and Big Trade in Big Sky

May 15, 2011

Mrs Brenda J Fisher is the Senior APEC Affairs Coordinator and has been working in the International Trade Administration’s Market Access and Compliance unit for 28 years, of which the last 12 years have been focused on coordinating the US Dept of Commerce’s engagement in APEC

This weekend I am writing to you from the beautiful venue of Big Sky, Montana where the second Senior Officials Meeting for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC is taking place. Additionally, the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Ministerial Meetings are being held her as well.

What is APEC?

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum was established in 1989 to take advantage of the growing interdependence among Asia-Pacific economies, to facilitate economic growth for all participants, and to enhance a sense of community.  It aims to improve regional trade and economic performance and linkages for the prosperity of the people in the region.  APEC aims to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by facilitating balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure economic growth and by accelerating regional economic integration.

APEC has grown to become one of the world’s most important regional groupings.  Its 21 member economies are home to more than 2.7 billion people and represent approximately 54 percent of world real GDP and 44 percent of world trade.  APEC is the most economically dynamic region in the world.  Since APEC’s inception, members have experienced average annual GDP growth of 3.6 percent, versus 2.9 percent growth in non-APEC economies (on a purchasing power parity basis).

APEC is a unique forum, operating on the basis of open dialogue and respect for the views of all participants. In APEC, all economies have an equal say and decision-making is reached by consensus. There are no binding commitments, compliance is achieved through discussion, and mutual support in the form of economic and technical cooperation.

APEC has helped to reduce tariffs and other barriers to trade across the Asia-Pacific region.  Business transaction costs were reduced by 10 percent between 2002 and 2010.  APEC has worked to create an environment to ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods, services and people across borders through policy decisions and capacity building.  During this period, APEC member economies have grown, and developing economies in particular have experienced substantial increases in GDP and standards of living.

The forum constantly adapts to allow members to deal with important new challenges to the region’s economic well-being.  This includes combating corruption, planning for pandemics and natural disasters, countering terrorism, addressing climate change and implementing structural policy reform.

Priorities for APEC USA 2011

In 2007, the United States volunteered to host the four major sets of APEC meetings in 2011:  in March in Washington, DC, in May in Big Sky, Montana, in September in San Francisco, and in November in Honolulu.   In Montana, APEC’s Trade Ministers and APEC’s Small and Medium Enterprise Ministers will meet separately (on May 19-20 and May 21, respectively) and also come together for the first time in a joint session on May 20.  A “Women in the Economy” Summit and joint Energy and Transportation Ministers meeting will be held in September.  APEC Trade Ministers will meet again in November, as will APEC’s Finance Ministers, immediately prior to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Honolulu.

Posted in APEC, Competitiveness, Green and Sustainable, International Trade Administration, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Council, Market Access and Compliance | 1 Comment »

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Trade and Investment Mission to Tunisia Follow Up

April 11, 2011

Chris Wilken is the North Africa Desk Officer for Market Access and Compliance.

At least half of the companies returning from a recent trade mission to  Tunisia have reported promising leads, indicating that they intend to return to the country to finalize deals. Ten U.S. companies participated in the Trade & Investment Mission, organized by the Department of State and joined by Assistant Secretary of Commerce Suresh Kumar.  Mission participants included companies in renewable energy, private equity, defense/security, and telecommunications sectors.  Companies had more than 70 meetings with potential local partners and Tunisian government officials.   The goal of the trade mission was to foster ties between the American and Tunisian private sectors so that U.S. companies participate in Tunisia’s successful political transition.

Tunisia’s recent political changes have dramatically improved the business environment for American companies.  The trade mission members were told by the new Tunisian officials of the high regard they hold for U.S. companies and their desire to see an increased U.S. business presence in the country.  Government officials also indicated that they wish to move forward on a number of pro-business economic reforms.  There is also a major push in Tunisia to focus on the prevention of corruption, a major grievance leading to the departure of President Ben Ali.

Posted in Commercial Service, Exporting, Interagency, International Trade Administration, Market Access and Compliance, Trade Missions | Tagged , , | 7 Comments »

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Seeking CEOs to Participate in the Next U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum

March 24, 2011

Ashley Rosen is an International Trade Specialist and is the Argentina, Uruguay, and Mercosur Desk Officer in the Market Access and Compliance division of the International Trade Administration. 

 

As part of President Obama’s official delegation to Brasilia, Brazil March 18-19, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke co-chaired the sixth meeting of the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum.  Key issues discussed at this meeting included furthering bilateral and economic ties at the completion of a U.S.-Brazil Bilateral Tax Treaty, clean energy cooperation and renewable technologies, investment in education, and sustainable infrastructure. In addition, the Forum was pleased to announce successful action on prior recommendations including the completion of a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, signing of an Open Skies MOU and extension of business and tourist visas from five to ten years.

Secretary Locke (far right) shares a laugh with other senior government officials attending the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum

Secretary Locke (far right) shares a laugh with other senior government officials attending the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum

We are now accepting applications for the 2011-2013 term of the Forum. The 10 U.S. CEOs serve two-year terms, and are selected from respondents to a joint Commerce-White House Federal Register notice for applicants to the U.S. section of the Forum. Companies interested in participating in the Forum should view the Federal Register notice at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/2011-5073.htm for information on how to apply.

The Forum, made up of 20 CEOs from the United States and Brazil, meets twice a year to make recommendations to the two governments on ways to strengthen the U.S.-Brazil economic relationship.  Since its inception in 2007, the Forum’s recommendations have advanced discussions between the United States and Brazilian governments on important issues such as visa reform, customs procedures, education, energy, trade facilitation, and infrastructure.

With a potential market of 195 million consumers, and per capita incomes forecasted to grow at an average rate of six percent during the next several years, Brazil offers tremendous opportunities to U.S. exporters of goods and services.

Posted in Exporting, International Trade Administration, Market Access and Compliance | Tagged , | 5 Comments »

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Secretary of Commerce Hosts Haiti Reconstruction Business Dialogue

April 30, 2010

Jennifer Wenger started working for the International Trade Administration one year ago.  She is an international trade specialist in the Market Access and Compliance unit’s Office of North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Haiti Reconstruction Business Dialogue.  Hosted on April 20 by Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, with keynote remarks by Haitian Minister Patrick Delatour, the event yielded an overwhelming 400 attendees who came with an interest in leveraging private sector participation to assist in Haiti’s rebuilding.   Representatives of the U.S. and Haitian business communities engaged in a lively dialogue with private sector and U.S. government panelists.  The unexpected presence of recording artist Wyclef Jean added some starpower to the program, including his “tweets” to his 1.4 million followers on Twitter.  


Download full video .mp4 (88MB)

Attendees used every free moment to network.  During the Q&A, the audience members asked great questions about the meaning of the international community’s pledges and where to learn about procurement opportunities.   USAID’s Haiti Task Team Coordinator Paul Weisenfeld explained that the $1.15 billion pledge made by the U.S. Government must be approved by Congress before these monies become available to fund projects.  Other panelists pointed the participants to useful websites or provided guidance on submitting proposals. Despite the devastating losses that the people of Haiti experienced and the challenges ahead, the tone of panelists, participants and especially Minister Delatour, was hopeful.  Minister Delatour cited the Port-au-Prince Hotel Montana, which was destroyed in the earthquake, as “a symbol of the resilience” of the Haitian population as he reported that the hotel’s owners have declared their intention to rebuild.  The Minister emphasized that the goal is to not just to rebuild but to “build back Haiti better.”    


Download full video .mp4 (88MB)

Secretary Locke stressed the importance of supporting Haiti as an Administration priority and addressed the private sector saying, “You will play a critical role in providing these opportunities through trade and investment that will benefit people in both Haiti and the United States.”   Participants and speakers alike agreed that the governments, NGOs and the private sector must work cooperatively to rebuild an economically sustainable Haiti.


Download full video .mp4 (88MB)

Posted in Exporting, Interagency, International Trade Administration, Market Access and Compliance | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments »

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U.S. Business Opportunities for Haiti Reconstruction

April 19, 2010

(This post contains external links.  Please review our external linking policy.)

Walter Bastian is Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for the Western Hemisphere, a part of Market Access and Compliance.

On January 12, Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake.  With more than 230,000 lives lost, it is among the ten worst natural disasters in recorded history, and the worst ever felt in the Western Hemisphere.  In this island nation, the poorest in our Hemisphere before the quake, an estimated 1.3 million are now homeless.  In the path of rebuilding lie 20 to 25 million cubic yards of rubble which – according to the Washington Post  - is enough to fill the Louisiana Superdome five times or cover the National Mall to a height of 700 feet.

A recent study by the Inter-American Development Bank estimates that the cost of reconstruction in Haiti could reach $14 billion.  If Haiti is to be “built back better,” there is little question that private sector investment will have to play a key role.  The below events strive to engage the U.S. business community, which I believe is still the most dynamic, and innovative in the world, to consider doing business in Haiti.  I am confident that if the Haitian Government and international community succeed in providing a framework of security, stability and transparency, the U.S. private sector will play a leading role in building a new Haiti. 

Haiti Reconstruction Business Dialogue (April 20)

Secretary of Commerce Locke will host the Haiti Reconstruction Business Dialogue for all U.S. businesses interested in learning more about opportunities associated with Haiti’s reconstruction.  Participants will hear from the leaders of several major companies doing business in Haiti.  In addition, officials from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, U.S. Trade and Development Agency, U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Inter-American Development Bank will discuss financing, political risk insurance, infrastructure-related feasibility studies, and the ourcome of the March International Donors’ Conference.  Haitian Minister of Tourism Patrick Delatour, who is charged with leading Haiti’s reconstruction efforts, will deliver the keynote address. For more  information, contact: Katherine.Bernardo@trade.gov or 482-3547.

 U.S. Business Interest Conference (June 9-11)

The U.S. Commercial Service, American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic, and American Chamber of Commerce of Haiti will be holding a business interest conference on June 9-11, 2010.  The purpose of this conference is to disseminate information on Haiti-led rebuilding strategies, and the plans and procurement practices of the multilateral lending institutions and the donor community, including the UN, World Bank, IDB, and USAID.   For more information on this conference or to register your interest and receive updates: http://www.buyusa.gov/caribbean/en/

The Department of Commerce will continue to monitor the reconstruction process as opportunities develop for U.S. businesses, including U.S. Government procurement opportunities and opportunities funded by international development banks.

Local Events for Haiti Reconstruction

Subsequent events will be held in Brooklyn, NY on May 10, Miami, FL on May 25, and Philadelphia, PA on June 7. 

For New York: http://www.buyusa.gov/nyc/haitireconstruction.html

For Miami: http://miamichamber.com/cwt/External/WCPages/WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=2673

For Philadelphia: http://www.buyusa.gov/philadelphia/reconstructhaiti.html

Posted in Interagency, Market Access and Compliance | Tagged , | 21 Comments »

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Serving the U.S. Business Community in South Africa

October 5, 2009

Jed Diemond has been with the Market Access and Compliance (MAC) division of ITA for almost eight years.  He serves as the Senior International Economist covering the five Southern African Customs Union (SACU) countries – Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland. 

Last month I got to do the most interesting and fun part of my job: I staffed Stephen Jacobs, the acting assistant secretary for MAC, during his trip to Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa.  I worked very closely with the Senior Commercial Officer in South Africa, Craig Allen, and his staff on the trip.  Over an intense two days, we had a series of meetings with U.S. companies based in South Africa, South African business and trade promotion organizations, and South African government trade officials.  Our goal was to explore ways to expand the U.S.-South Africa trade and investment relationship.  Some of the themes of the meetings included cooperation on intellectual property rights protection and advancing trade and investment promotion cooperation in the context of a U.S.-SACU trade and investment dialogue that we are trying to jump-start. As the South Africa desk officer, I had the unique opportunity to work with Acting Assistant Secretary Jacobs to shape our message in the meetings and expand my own working relationships in South Africa, which allows me be more effective in my job.

Posted in Commercial Service, Intellectual property, International Trade Administration, Market Access and Compliance, Trade Missions | Tagged , , | 1 Comment »

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Be Brief, Be Bright, Be Gone

June 10, 2009

Walter Bastian is Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for the Western Hemisphere, a part of Market Access and Compliance.

From June 1 to June 5, I had the opportunity to lead a group of U.S. business executives on a trade mission to Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru.  The mission was comprised of executives pursuing business opportunities across a wide range of manufacturing and service sectors.  The results were impressive.

Chile and Peru were selected as target markets for a variety of reasons, including market potential and ease of doing business.  These factors were enhanced by the existence of free trade agreements each has with the United States.  Besides the eventual elimination of all tariffs on U.S. products entering these markets, these agreements establish clear and transparent rules for the conduct of business with U.S. firms.  These agreements have worked.  In the case of Chile, U.S. exports in 2008 were up 49.4 percent over the year before and in Peru, U.S. exports were up 51 percent over the same period.  U.S. exports to Chile are up 345 percent since 2004 when the agreement went into effect.  Last year, Peru was the fastest growing export market in the Western Hemisphere. 

Daycare center funded by U.S. companies and United Way Chile.

Daycare center funded by U.S. companies and United Way Chile. (Department of Commerce photo)

The heart of the mission is the business matchmaking service provided by the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service in both countries.  Each company had appointments each day with prescreened local companies.  The mission participants also had the opportunity to meet and talk to members of the U.S. and local business communities at events hosted by the embassies.  The days were full.  Meals became business meetings.  The business days lasted well into the night.

Chris Hood of Coastal International Logistics, LLC, noted that his business philosophy was to “be brief, be bright, be gone.”  He had a contract before leaving the first stop.  He and the other mission members seemed to adhere to the same philosophy and contributed to a highly successful trade mission.

While mission members were busy developing new clients and pursuing commercial opportunities, I met with government officials to pursue issues which would further enhance the competitiveness of U.S. firms in these markets.  I met with customs officials, economy and energy ministers, business groups and NGOs.  I also visited examples of U.S. corporate social responsibility and highlighted the value of partnerships with the U.S. private sector.

The mission was truly representative of a public/private sector partnership.  In the end, the public and private sectors accomplished their mutual objectives of contributing to the economic growth of the United States and creating U.S. jobs through exports.

Posted in Chile, Commercial Service, Market Access and Compliance, Peru, Trade Missions | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments »

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