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Chamber members receive
tools to access global opportunities and strengthen their businesses.
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"Every dollar of trade is good for international trade. Trade enriches our lives and our cultures."
—Ambassador of the Czech Republic Petr Gandalovic at a special briefing last month at the Chamber.
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eCertify, the efficient way to process Certificates of Origin, saves you time and money.
The Chamber was recognized last week at the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) 2011 Convention for being one of the first chambers of commerce in the country to use eCertify and for processing one of the largest quantities of Certificates of Origin online in the country. The Chamber is proud to offer eCertify technology as our standard to process Certificates of Origin. With eCertify, exporters and freight forwarders have a seamless and streamlined electronic solution providing real value in cost savings and efficiency gains. Get started today.
Read more on the process behind issuing Certificates of Origin.
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Ex-Im Bank establishes $100 Million revolving credit facility for small business exporters
More small business exporters throughout the United States will have access to revolving credit, thanks to Global Credit Express (GCE), a new product recently unveiled by the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank). During the program's pilot phase, an initial $100 million in financing will be made available through a select number of lenders nationwide. The product is specially designed to finance the business of exporting, rather than specific export transactions.
Small business exporters interested in applying for financing through GCE can contact the Bank at 1.800.565.3946, option 2. Learn more.
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Trade news from around the world
Twice a month, the L.A. Area Chamber produces an email brief that includes trade news from around the world. The brief is a Global Trades Council exclusive email benefit that is later published online. Read more.
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Chamber Chair Is a Chip Off Her Great Great Grandfather's Block
L.A. Downtown News, March 6
Read more
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CHAMBER CO-ORGANIZES FORUM FOR CHINESE VICE PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO LOS ANGELES
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping attended the U.S.-China Economy and Trade Cooperation Forum on Friday, Feb. 17 at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live. The forum was attended by U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson, Gov. Jerry Brown and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "Los Angeles is the major hub of trade between China and the United States," said Vice President Xi. California exported $12.4 billion in goods and services to China in 2010. Above, second from left Secretary Bryson, second from right Vice President Xi and far right Gov. Jerry Brown. View photo gallery.
Chamber hosts nearly 50 foreign ambassadors
"Ivory Coast is open for business. We want to benefit from your technology," said Ambassador Daouda Diabate, Ivory Coast ambassador to the United States, at a special Business Leaders Breakfast on Wednesday, Feb. 29 at City Club on Bunker Hill. Diabate's sentiment was echoed by other ambassadors who represented countries spanning five continents, as they met with Los Angeles business leaders as part of the Office of the Chief of Protocol, U.S. Department of State's Experience America trip. Business leaders and ambassadors connected on several issues, including investing in countries and advances in medicine. View photo gallery.
Chamber receives briefing on doing business with Belgium
The United States is currently the No. 1 investor in Wallonia, Belgium, with U.S.-Belgian trade reaching $43 billion last year. "Wallonia, Belgium has become a destination of U.S. corporate attention," said Geert Criel, Consul General of Belgium in Los Angeles, at a special briefing last month at the Chamber. Daoud Ghalimi from the Belgian Trade Commission in San Francisco, at left, discussed the benefits of doing business in Wallonia, noting its central location in Europe and its access to several sector clusters including aeronautical, biotech, cleantech, logistics and IT.
Chamber participates in Brookings Institution's Export Nation 2012
"California companies are targeting the Pacific Rim and Latin American countries where the U.S. has more than 15 FTAs. This is a great advantage for us, since our exporters want to do business with countries where we have the umbrella of an international agreement," said Chamber Senior Vice President of Global Initiatives Carlos J. Valderrama, at left, at a panel discussion in Washington, D.C. last week. The panel analyzed the current state of U.S. exports and its impact on the economy as part of the Brookings Institution's Export Nation 2012. Valderrama also discussed the new Los Angeles Regional Export Council, which is housed at the Chamber. View video from the event.
Chamber meets with the Under Secretary of the U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security
Under Secretary Eric L. Hirschhorn, at left, discussed President Barack Obama's Export Control Reform (ECR) Initiative last month at the Chamber. "The U.S. government is revamping our export license regulations to make us more competitive, and also because we recognize that due to our export controls, we are in many ways assisting other countries in creating industries overseas," he said. The ECR Initiative will strengthen the U.S. defense industrial and manufacturing base, reduce the licensing burden on U.S. exporters and create jobs.
World Trade Week Kickoff Breakfast, May 4
Join more than 500 executives and members of the diplomatic corps to kick off a month-long celebration of world trade in Southern California on Friday, May 4 at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel. This year's program will feature a keynote address from Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program Senior Fellow, Co-Director and Co-Founder Amy Liu, at left. Liu is a frequent speaker on ideas to advance U.S. economic competitiveness by building a next economy with state, federal and private sector partners. Register now or learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
Chamber seeks 2012 World Trade Week award nominations
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The Chamber and the World Trade Week Committee are currently seeking nominations for a series of prestigious international trade awards that will be presented at the World Trade Week Kickoff Breakfast on Friday, May 4. The deadline to nominate is Friday, March 23. Categories include: Export Achievement Award, Foreign Direct Investment Award and the Bob Kleist Leadership Award. Nominate today. The World Trade Week Education Committee is seeking applications for the student scholarships that are available at both the high school and college level. Please encourage students in your network to take advantage of these scholarship opportunities.
Chamber seeking nominations for the Stanley T. Olafson award
Nominations are also being sought for the esteemed Stanley T. Olafson Award. This award is one of the most prestigious awards in the international trade community, presented to an outstanding member of the world trade community in Southern California who has contributed to the advancement of world trade and international relations above and beyond job requirements. Submit a nomination for the Stanley T. Olafson Award.
For more information on World Trade Week, contact Jasmin Sakai-Gonzalez, 213.580.7569.
| TRADE COMMISSIONERS CORNER |
Gensler hosts Trade Commissioners Networking Group
The first quarterly Trade Commissioners Networking Group session of the year was held last month at Gensler, a world-renowned global architecture, design, planning and consulting firm that holds nearly 3,000 projects every year with more than 30 locations worldwide. The session included a private meeting with several Gensler senior executives who shared an overview of current international projects and international partnerships with governments and companies overseas.
TCNG was established to provide the infrastructure and venue where foreign diplomats, including trade commissioners, can develop their own international trade strategies and programs as they perform their professional responsibilities. The Chamber is committed to working closely with countries who are actively promoting trade and economic opportunities. Contact Jasmin Sakai-Gonzalez, 213.580.7569.
Discuss the U.S. – Korea Free Trade Agreement on March 15
With the U.S. – Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) beginning March 15, almost 80 percent of U.S. exports of industrial products to Korea will become duty-free, including nearly two-thirds of U.S. exports of agricultural products. "The promise of the U.S. – Korea trade agreement — including tens of thousands of export-supported jobs with better wages — will start to come home for American businesses and working families," said U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk. Read more. To discuss the U.S. – Korea FTA more in depth, join the KOTRA – Korea Business Center, Los Angeles and the Busan Port Authority for its special KORUS FTA: New Logistics Business Opportunities with BPA on Thursday, March 15, 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Los Angeles Marriott Downtown. The half-day seminar will also include a discussion on new logistics opportunities with the Port of Busan in South Korea, the world's fifth largest port, and a case study of business operations in Korea. Register now.
Interagency Trade Enforcement Center established
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk and U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson recently released a statement applauding President Barack Obama's signature of an Executive Order officially launching the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center (ITEC). "This new trade enforcement unit will better enable USTR and the Department of Commerce to join forces to ensure that America's trading partners play by the rules," said Ambassador Kirk, at left. "It will help American workers and businesses compete and win on a fair global playing field." ITEC will serve as the primary forum within the federal government for USTR and other agencies to coordinate enforcement of U.S. trade rights. It will also be a forum to encourage greater participation among U.S. workers, businesses, farmers and ranchers in the identification and reduction or elimination of unfair trade practices and barriers. Read more.
Global Initiatives Council, March 21
Join the Global Initiatives Council on Wednesday, March 21, 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Chamber for a look at trade through the Port of Los Angeles. Jim MacLellan, director of trade services at the Port, will provide a brief update on the Port's latest record-breaking export numbers, strategic advantages of recent Free Trade Agreements, the challenge of growing competition to our shipping gateway and future strengths of the L.A. region. The council will also receive a presentation on the Port's Trade Connect program, which is an integral part of the new Los Angeles Regional Export Council's initiatives to increase exports with the goal of assisting the L.A. region's economic growth. Register now or contact Jasmin Sakai-Gonzalez, 213.580.7569.
Exporters Networking Roundtable, March 29
Join the Santa Monica SBDC, in partnership with the Chamber, to learn more about online certificates of origin on Thursday, March 29, 9-10:30 a.m. at the Chamber. The Chamber provides e-Certify, an electronic process which facilitates getting certificates of origin notarized. The process is simple, and saves companies time and cost. Register now or contact Elizabeth Glynn, 310.890.2108.
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Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, 350 S. Bixel St., Los Angeles CA 90017
213.580.7500 | fax: 213.580.7511 | [email protected] | www.lachamber.com
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