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April 2015 - in this issue...
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Are you Exporting?
Many countries now require a Certificate of Free Sale as assurance from a foreign agency that the products listed on the certificate are freely sold in the U.S.
As a service to its members and the greater busienss community, the L.A. Area Chamber issues Certificates of Free Sale for products legally sold in the U.S. With our quick, inexpensive and easy service, you'll be able to demonstrate your products are freely sold in the U.S. Get started today or contact Aaron Borboa for more information. |
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.
Read more on the process behind issuing Certificates of Origin.
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STRATEGIC LINKS
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TRADE INTELLIGENCE BRIEF
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Trade news from around the world
Once a month, the Chamber produces an email brief including trade news from around the world. Published online, the email brief is an exclusive benefit of the Global Initiatives Council. Read more.
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| TOP STORY |
 World Trade Week Celebration Kicks Off May 5
Celebrate the 89th Annual World Trade Week at the Beverly Hilton on Tuesday, May 5, 7:15 - 10:30 a.m. with more than 600 executives and members of the diplomatic corps. The breakfast will also feature a keynote address by SpaceX CFO Bret Johnsen and guest speaker remarks by U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet.The event kicks off a month-long celebration of world trade in Southern California. Corporate tables are available. Register now or contact Jasmin Sakai-Gonzalez, 213.580.7569.
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WORLD TRADE WEEK NEWS
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Ambassador Mickey Kantor to receive the Stanley T. Olafson Award
Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and United States Trade Representative Mickey Kantor has been chosen as the 2015 Stanley T. Olafson (STO) Award recipient. The STO Award is one of the Chamber's oldest and most prestigious awards, originally presented in 1933, and honors a member of the community who has contributed in a major way to the development of world trade in Southern California. The award will be presented at the 89th annual World Trade Week Kickoff Breakfast Tuesday, May 5. To read the press release, click here.
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U.S. Trade Representative endorses World Trade Week
United States Trade Representative Michael Froman formally endorsed World Trade Week (WTW) 2015. Froman thanked members of the Chamber for their contributions to economic progress made in recent years. Pointing to Los Angeles as the third largest export market, Froman emphasized the L.A. metropolitan area is responsible for more than 45 percent of California's total merchandise exports. Froman noted, "For nearly 90 years, the Chamber has led our nation in using WTW to highlight how global trade can deliver local benefits, and this event is now a tradition worthy of the entire nation's attention."
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Follow World Trade Week on Social Media!
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INSIDE THE CHAMBER
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LARExC selected by Brookings for the next phase of the Global Cities ProgramThe Los Angeles Regional Export Council (LARExC) has been selected by the Brookings Institution to coordinate the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects in the Greater Los Angeles Region. This initiative is the next phase of Brooking's Global Cities Initiative's Exchange. The counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino and Riverside have accepted LARExC's invitation to participate in this unique and first time initiative to attract, retain and expand foreign investment in the region. LARExC is an organization launched by the Chamber in 2010. To read the press release, click here or c ontact Carlos Valderrama, 213.580.7570.
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World Bank Director meets with Chamber members
Members of the Chamber's Global Initiatives Council heard from Keith Curtis, Advisor and Director of Business Liaison, Office of the U.S. Executive Director, World Bank, last month as he discussed priorities and programs, including renewable energy and climate change issues and sustainability in their $60 billion of loan programs in the developing world. Curtis noted the Chamber "is one of our key partners in the United States through the PLSO program." Contact Jasmin Sakai-Gonzalez, 213.580.7569.
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Chamber welcomes Minister of Foreign Trade of Finland
A high level delegation of clean technology companies from Finland, accompanied by Lenita Toivakka, Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade of Finland, was welcomed to the Chamber last month, as they held the U.S. Finland Economic Summit to discuss opportunities for collaboration between California and Finland. "Los Angeles is the obvious city in California to seek business partnerships in the high tech and clean tech sectors," noted Toivakka. The delegation also had the opportunity to meet with the Nordic Green Tech Forum and the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator Leadership Council.
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LARExC participates in the 2015 Select USA
Last month, the Los Angeles Regional Export Council (LARExC) participated as part of the California delegation in the 2015 Select USA Investment Summit in Washington, D.C. Close to 2,000 attendees from nearly 50 countries discussed the advantages of investing in America and the importance of foreign direct investment as a source of job creation and economic growth in the United States. Summit participants connected with local, state and regional economic development organizations and local, state and federal agency officials to learn more about the U.S. as a business destination. LARExC is an affiliate program of the L.A. Area Chamber.
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U.S. - Israel Free Trade Agreement celebrates 30 Years
The first Free Trade Agreement signed by the United States was with the State of Israel in April 1985. That momentous occasion was celebrated last week in San Pedro with a conference featuring current trade opportunities with Israel. Trade with Israel totals $45 billion today. It was $4 billion in 1985.
Photo (l - r): Kish Rajan, California Office of Economic Development, Antwaun Griffin, U.S. Commercial Service, David Siegel, Consul General of Israel, Guy Fox, District Export Council, Gary Toebben, L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce and Joe Czyzyk, Mercury Air Group, Inc.
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ON YOUR RADAR
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 ACTION ALERT: Help advance the trade agenda during recess
In the weeks ahead, Congress will consider two key trade priorities: Renewal of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im). Additional priorities such as renewal of GSP and AGOA may also be considered at the same time. Your support is critical to securing these objectives, and the upcoming congressional recess (March 30 - April 10) is a great time to weigh in with your members of Congress. We encourage you TAKE ACTION NOW by sending letters directly to your senators and representatives through the "Take Action" center at www.uschamber.com/tpa and www.uschamber.com/ex-im.
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International Trade Essential To Future Jobs
In 1926, very few American businesses were importing or exporting, but the Chamber saw international trade as a unique growth opportunity for businesses located in L.A. County. Today, one out of every five jobs created since the Great Recession owe their existence to companies that export their goods and services around the globe. The economic recovery America is enjoying today is directly related to our ability to compete globally. Read Gary Toebben's The Business Perspective here.
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TRADE COMMUNITY EVENTS
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In May, join us for the nearly 30 international trade events taking place in Southern California as part of World Trade Week. Visit the International Trade Calendar for a complete listing.
To submit an event or for more information on any of the information in this newsletter, contact Jasmin Sakai-Gonzalez, 213.580.7569 .
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