Be a part of one of the largest World Trade Week kickoff celebrations in the nation
Join more than 900 business executives, members of the diplomatic corps and elected officials from all over Southern California on May 4 for one of the biggest celebrations of international trade in the nation. The program will feature Laurie Tolson, chief technology officer of GE Transportation, as she highlights the groundbreaking work GE is leading with the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach to transform and digitize the nation's supply chain. The program will also feature a conversation with Acting Commissioner Kevin McAleenan, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Brian Peck, director of the Center for Transnational Law and Business of the USC Gould School of Law, as they discuss CBP initiatives that are enhancing the region's global competitiveness and the impact of e-commerce.
Corporate tables are available to host your clients. RSVP NOW.
Under the guidance of its founding sponsors, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles World Airports, the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach, the original week-long observance has now grown to more than 30 events held each year throughout the month of May in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura. LEARN MORE.
|
|
 |
 WTW Education Committee showcases aviation and global trade careers at LAWA
Nearly 100 high school students from across Southern California visited Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) last month for a behind-the-scenes look at international trade at the nation's second-busiest airport. Part of an ongoing education series coordinated by the World Trade Week (WTW) Education Committee and led by Amy Grat, president of International Trade Education Programs (ITEP), the event included an airfield tour and a visit to Delta Air Lines' cargo facilities. Students also applied their problem-solving skills to scenarios involving mentors from the Los Angeles Air Cargo Association and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Chamber's WTW program strives to educate students on career pathways and opportunities in the global trade and logistics sectors. READ THE RELEASE and SEE THE PHOTOS.
|
| |
 Chamber co-hosts annual Latin American Business Conference
Earlier this month, the UCLA Anderson School of Management, Latin American Business Association (LABA) and Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2018 Latin American Business Conference. Senior executives managing commercial, financial and industrial operations in Latin America and the United States participated as panelists in the conference titled "Latin America: From Opportunity to Action." Their presentations and comments covered the following issues: "Banking on Innovation and Technology for Financial Transformation" and "Clean Energy as a Path Towards Sustainable and Inclusive Growth." Carlos Valderrama, president of the Chamber's Center for Global Trade & Investment, moderated the "Mexico's Perspective on the Current NAFTA Renegotiations and Possible Implications for the Region" panel discussion and participated in designing the overall program. The annual event attracted more than 450 guests, including UCLA students. Conference sponsors included Chamber members City National Bank and the Port of Los Angeles.
|
| |
 Deloitte shares 2018 global trade outlook
In February, members of the Chamber's Global Initiatives Council convened for the first session of the year to hear from Dr. Ira Kalish, chief global economist at Deloitte. Dr. Kalish shared his projections for key global trade and economic issues, noting that an increase in exports has been a major factor in the current growth of the economy. "Trade is a win-win situation, not a zero-sum game. Comprehensive multi-lateral agreements are needed to support our exporters, rather than just bilateral agreements." Dr. Kalish also noted that the potential loss of NAFTA would lead to a huge disruption of current supply chain systems and manufacturing processes, and an inevitable slowing of the U.S. economy. VIEW VIDEO CLIP AND THE PRESENTATION.
|
| |
 Chamber hosts Export Documentation Briefing
The L.A. Area Chamber in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Centers and Global Registrations Inc. were joined by local exporters and manufacturers last week to receive key updates and information on export documentation solutions from industry experts. The event also featured Anna Jafery, current president of AmCham Dubai (ABC), who shared key market entry strategies for the Middle East and how to mitigate product registration and licensing issues. The Chamber makes it quick, affordable and easy to meet export documentation needs, offering both Certificates of Origin and Certificates of Free Sale. The program allows local exporters to comply with regulations, meet world standards, and get stamped, signed and certified fast. MORE INFORMATION.
|
| |
 STEP GRANT lends wings to California companies at Singapore Airshow
In late February, the Chamber and the Los Angeles Regional Export Council (LARExC) participated in the U.S. International Pavilion at the Singapore Airshow 2018, Asia's largest and most significant aerospace and defense exhibition in the world. Six California companies participated. The event was possible thanks to the U.S. Commercial Service and the Small Business Administration's State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Grant through the California STEP Grant Initiative. The L.A. Area Chamber has been a STEP Grant recipient for the past six years to help small businesses enter the global marketplace. LEARN MORE about STEP and other trade programs eligible for support. |
|
 |
 The Global E-Commerce Boom in Asia: Best Practices, Trends and Opportunities, March 21
Join the L.A. Area Chamber's Global Initiatives Council on Wednesday, March 21, 9-10:30 a.m., to hear from Chamber Board member Humphrey Ho, managing partner of Hylink USA, as he provides an overview of the booming e-commerce market in China and examines the opportunities and lessons that can be learned from their immense market successes. He will also discuss the implications of the changing infrastructure of domestic and cross-border e-commerce. RSVP NOW. For Chamber members only.
|
| |
 Business Opportunities in Nagoya and Central Japan, March 22
Join the City of Nagoya on Thursday, March 22, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., for a briefing to learn about leisure, culture and business opportunities in Central Japan. This region in Japan is the center of industry with clusters of manufacturing industries, including transportation equipment, parts and components for transportation equipment, and processing/machining of formed and fabricated materials. The overall scale of these clusters is one of the largest in Japan, and have helped form clusters of small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMEs). RSVP NOW. |
| |
 China International Import Expo Road Show: A Golden Opportunity to Explore the Chinese Market, March 23
Join the Consulate General of China and a delegation from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on Friday, March 23, 8:30-11 a.m., as they introduce the first China International Import Expo (CIIE), to be held in Shanghai on Nov. 5-10, 2018. China is expecting to import goods and services worth more than $10 trillion in the next five years. This will provide a historic opportunity for enterprises across the world to enter the huge Chinese market. RSVP NOW.
|
|
|
 Pacific Harbor Line celebrates 20th anniversary
For 20 years, Pacific Harbor Line (PHL) has provided superior railroad services to a variety of stakeholders in and around the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, the nation's busiest port complex, an achievement recognized Feb. 27 with a special on-site 20th anniversary celebration.
Approximately 70 people attended the event, which included an extensive tour of PHL facilities aboard a special train. Guests included executives from the two ports, leaders from PHL's top terminal and bulk business partners as well as the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, members of management of PHL and owner Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH).
Pacific Harbor Line has won numerous accolades over the years. In 2009, it was named Short Line Railroad of the Year by Railway Age magazine. In 2013, the California Employer Advisory Council named the railroad Veterans Employer of the Year. PHL was the first railroad in the U.S. to operate a locomotive fleet composed entirely of Tier III "clean diesels." LEARN MORE.
[Featured in photo from left to right: Kimia Khatami, PHL; Peter Gilbertson, Anacostia Rail Holdings; and Sarah Patterson, Office of Assemblymember Patrick O'Donnell].
|
|
|
|
TRADE COMMUNITY EVENTS |
SEEKING WORLD TRADE WEEK AWARD NOMINATIONS!
The L.A. Area Chamber and the World Trade Week Committee are seeking nominations for a series of prestigious international trade awards that will be presented at the World Trade Week Kickoff Breakfast on Thursday, May 4, in downtown Los Angeles. Categories include Export Achievement, Foreign Direct Investment and the prestigious Stanley T. Olafson Award. Nominate now!
|
Brazilian eVisas now available to U.S. visitors
Brazil recently launched the eVisa system for American citizens.
Since Jan. 25, more than 10,000 eVisas have been issued for U.S. citizens. The visa processing - from application to issuance - for American tourists and business travelers to Brazil can be entirely done online in about five working days.
The eVisa is available for American, Australian, Canadian and Japanese citizens, and valid for two years or up to the passport's expiration date. The $40 fee is considerably less expensive than the traditional visa fee.
To apply for the eVisa, log on to vfsglobal.com/brazil-evisa and follow the instructions. Once the visa is authorized, download it (in PDF) in time for travel.
Questions? Call or email Daniel Ponte, 323.651.2664 Ext. 202.
|
EXPORT DOCUMENTATION
|
JOIN THE CHAMBER
Chamber members receive tools to access global opportunities and strengthen their business.
|
|
 |
|
Diplomats receive update on U.S. import regulations
