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Chamber members receive
tools to access global opportunities and strengthen their businesses.
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SAVE TIME & MONEY |
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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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WORLD TRADE WEEK BREAKFAST KICKS OFF MONTH OF EVENTS
More than 500 business executives and members of the diplomatic corps gathered Friday, May 4 for the 86th Annual World Trade Week Kickoff Breakfast at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel. "To stay on top of the global game, you need to work together as one region, with one global vision, engaging with other markets around the world," said keynote speaker Amy Liu, senior fellow, co-director and co-founder of the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program. Also at the breakfast, Bella Heule, president and CEO of the WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego, received the prestigious Stanley T. Olafson Award for her commitment to expand international trade opportunities in Southern California. Ambassador Mickey Kantor represented the Office of Mayor Villaraigosa and accepted the Bob Kleist Leadership Award on their behalf. Kantor also presented World Trade Week Chair Valeria Velasco, Los Angeles World Airports Commission Vice President, with a formal proclamation during the event. The program also included a highlight of Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency on its 50th anniversary in Los Angeles, marking its long-standing commitment to advancing trade relations with Southern California companies. Above, counter clockwise from top left: Kantor and Velasco; World Trade Week scholarship award winners; and Liu. View photo gallery and press release.
| THANK YOU TO OUR SPECIAL GUESTS FOR ATTENDING OUR WORLD TRADE WEEK KICKOFF BREAKFAST |
Congressmember Laura Richardson • UPS President, Central California District and 2013 World Trade Week Chair Noel Massie • Director of the Los Angeles World Airports Gina Marie Lindsey • Director of the Port of Los Angeles Geraldine Knatz • Port of Long Beach Commission Vice President Thomas Fields • Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach Chris Lytle • Los Angeles World Airports Commissioner Michael Lawson • Consul generals and trade officers from 17 countries were represented
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For more information on World Trade Week, contact Jasmin Sakai-Gonzalez, 213.580.7569.
Chamber receives update on Latin American market
"Some Latin American countries are becoming importing power houses. They need almost everything we manufacture," said Ambassador Charles Shapiro, president of the Institute of the Americas, at the Global Initiatives Council last month. Recognizing that improved trade requires more than agreements between states, Ambassador Shapiro has been active in helping businesses in the United States and Latin America find areas of common interest and opportunity.
Export-Import Bank vice president addresses small and medium sized companies on exporting
Ex-Im Bank First Vice President and Vice Chair Wanda Felton, discussed the importance of exporting at a special briefing and discussion last month for small- and medium-sized enterprises interested in increasing their revenues and markets through exporting. "'Made in America' is the world's strongest brand and it continues to be," Felton said. The event was hosted by the Chamber, in partnership with the Greater African American Chamber of Commerce and Bank of America.
Chamber meets with State and Homeland Security Departments on visa facilitation
Last month, the Chamber hosted a meeting with Obama administration officials on initiatives to improve the visa facilitation process for visitors, students and international workforce. David Donahue, deputy assistant secretary for Visa Services at the State Department and Doug Smith, assistant secretary at Homeland Security, discussed the 60 million visitors to the United States last year who brought in $134 billion in revenue. They are working on programs to expedite returning travelers, lessen wait times at customs and increase interview processing capacity abroad, all as part of a larger effort to make the United States a more desirable tourist destination. "You can come to the United States every year and never have the same experience. Very few countries can say that," said Deputy Secretary Smith.
| TRADE COMMISSIONERS CORNER |
Upcoming session:
Monday, May 14
10-11:30 a.m.
Private briefing with Korea Trade Investment Agency (KOTRA) - Business Incubator Model at the KOTRA office in Torrance
Register now
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.
U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement to take effect this month
President Barack Obama announced last month that the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA) will be taking effect on May 15. The CTPA will remove duties on more than 80 percent of U.S. exports of consumer and industrial products as well as on more than 50 percent of U.S. exports of agricultural products. "This agreement will provide American businesses, farmers and ranchers with significantly improved access to the third largest economy in South America," said United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk. The U.S. International Trade Commission projected an increase in U.S. GDP of $2.5 billion due to trade gains from the agreement.
Join ProExport Colombia on Tuesday, May 15 for U.S. Colombia: Building the Commercial Superhighway, a briefing on the official implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between the U.S and Colombia and multiple opportunities that will be available after this bilateral agreement goes in effect. Register now.
Ambassador of Argentina to the U.S., May 30
Join the Chamber for a special briefing featuring Ambassador of Argentina to the U.S. Jorge Argüello, on Wednesday, May 30, 9-10:30 a.m. at the Chamber. Prior to his appointment in November 2011, Ambassador Argüello served as permanent representative of Argentina to the United Nations from 2007 to 2011. Register now.
Trade Mission: Santiago, Chile, June 27-29
Increase your revenues by exporting your U.S.-made products and services to Chile. Now is your opportunity to market your products and services at this international trade show of technologies, products and services for hospitals and clinics. Meet with health professionals with the power to influence purchases and investments at hospitals, clinics and laboratories from around the world. More than 5,000 attendees and six country pavilions are expected to attend this Expo Hospital 2012 in Santiago, Chile, June 27-29. This project is funded in part through a grant from the Small Business Association and the Los Angeles Regional Export Council. Learn more about eligibility guidelines and the trip. Deadline to apply is Friday, May 11.
The next Global Initiatives Council meeting is Wednesday, June 20. More information to come. |
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In the month of May, there are more than 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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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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