by Andrea | Oct 8, 2014 | CSME, new ways to finance business, Recent Trends in Trade, tools for importers
In several previous posts, we have discussed this reality – In today’s globalized economy your next business opportunity could be located anywhere in the world. Trade Agreements, Trade Financing, and Technology provide the doors for small businesses to take advantage...
by Andrea | Sep 30, 2014 | cap and trade, CSME, tools for importers, world financial crisis
The World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum 2014 is being held October 1 – 3 under the theme — Why Trade Matters to Everyone. The WTO Public Forum is an annual event that convenes in Geneva, providing a platform for interested persons to discuss the latest...
by Andrea | Sep 16, 2014 | access to finance, CSME, international trade rules, tools for importers
On Friday, September 12th (2014), a new round of sanctions against Russia imposed by the European Union and the United States took effect. These sanctions are intended to pressure Russia into complying with the 12-point peace plan to end the conflict in Ukraine. The...
by Andrea | Sep 9, 2014 | access to finance, CSME, small business financing, tools for importers
August 1st2014) marked the one-year “anniversary” of the loss by U.S. importers of GSP duty-free access to the US market. The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program allows about 5,000 products from about 127 developing countries to enter the United States on...
by Andrea | Aug 15, 2014 | access to finance, CSME, international trade rules, tools for importers
How familiar are you, Mr. or Ms. Exporter, with the legal requirements for your product(s) to enter your destination market(s)? Or do you rely on your distributor/importer to handle it all? Sure, it’s the importer who is legally responsible for complying with the...
by Andrea | Jun 26, 2014 | CSME, international trade rules, Recent Trends in Trade, tools for importers, Trade and Development
In an earlier post, we reported on investigations to be conducted to support the increase in African exports using the African Growth & Opportunities Act (AGOA). In support of the commitment by the Obama Administration to renew AGOA the US International Trade...
by Andrea | Jun 4, 2014 | CSME, Recent Trends in Trade, small business financing, tools for importers
Here is Part “D” of my series, “International Trade Alphabet Soup” that will periodically list and provide context for key acronyms and international trade terms: DAC – Development Assistance Committee: an international forum consisting of the world’s largest...
by Andrea | May 14, 2014 | CSME, international trade rules, tools for importers
The month of May is widely celebrated across the United States as “World Trade Month”. National Small Business Week (May 12-16) seems an appropriate time to highlight some of the international trading resources that are available to support companies to do business...
by Andrea | May 8, 2014 | CSME, international trade rules, Recent Trends in Trade, tools for importers, Trade and Development
At a recent conference frequented by many food importers, one of the audience members shared, “Our food smells different and that causes problems with US Customs.” To avoid such problems, food importers — educate US Customs about your products! “Problems” can...
by Andrea | Apr 14, 2014 | CSME, Recent Trends in Trade, tools for importers, Trade and Development
In an earlier post, we discussed this reality – In today’s globalized economy your next business opportunity could be located anywhere in the world. Trade Agreements, Trade Financing, and Technology provide the doors for small businesses to take advantage of these...
by Andrea | Mar 3, 2014 | access to finance, CSME, international trade rules, tools for importers
Case Study : Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Country Traders recently shared its story of getting ready for the requirements of the U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The FSMA is aimed at securing the U.S. food supply. To ensure that imported food...
by Andrea | Feb 14, 2014 | access to finance, CSME, international trade rules, Recent Trends in Trade, tools for importers
Today, Valentine’s Day, is one day of the year when we most look forward to receiving emails and snail mail containing expressions of regard and even love. My “love letter” to you is to highlight some mail that, as an international trader, you don’t want to ever...
by Andrea | Jan 20, 2014 | CSME, Recent Trends in Trade, small business financing, tools for importers
Here is Part “C” of my series, “International Trade Alphabet Soup” that will periodically list and provide context for key acronyms and international trade terms: CACM – Central American Common Market: Trade bloc established by Costa Rica, El Salvador,...
by Andrea | Dec 27, 2013 | access to finance, CSME, international trade rules, Recent Trends in Trade, tools for importers, Trade and Development, world financial crisis
The WTO 9th Ministerial in Bali concluded on December 6th, 2013 with the first-ever global Agreement on Trade Facilitation. This Agreement introduces new trade rules to streamline customs and port procedures for the world’s traders. Other key decisions...
by Andrea | Dec 2, 2013 | international trade rules, small business financing, tools for importers
Beginning in 1995, the United Nations and the United States initiated and have increased economic sanctions against Iran. The comprehensive economic sanctions put in place over the years have effectively blocked, with very few exceptions, the opportunity to do...
