News and Events from the U.S. Commercial Service in Fargo, North Dakota

 

World Trade News and Events - August 2016

Newsletter of the U.S. Commercial Service in Fargo, North Dakota

LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS
- Local Success Story: Nordic - North Dakota Unmanned Aerial Systems Connections
- USPS Made in Rural America Event Recap
- Cuba Export Language Included in Spending Bill 
- AgWeek Q&A with U.S. Commercial Service / ND Office Director

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL NEWS
- Agricultural Outlook 2016-2025
- "City slickers on the farm-Africa's real land grab"-- The Economist 
- Deputy Secretary Andrews Wraps Up a Successful Trip to Ukraine and Kazakhstan
- Environmental Technologies Resource Guide -- Europe
- Export.gov Website Overhaul Complete
- Announcing the Department of Commerce New Trade Finance Advisory Council
- Ensure International Clients Can Find You - Website Globalization

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
- Pet Products Virtual Product Pitch
- Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Business Development Program in China--Sept. 7-11
- U.S.-Canada Aerospace Technology Exchange-- Sept. 19-21
- Discover Global Markets: Building Smart Cities!-- Nov. 1-3
- U.S. Pavilion and Booth Options at European Utility Week (EUW)-- Nov. 15-17

LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS

Local Success Story : Nordic - North Dakota Unmanned Aerial Systems Connections
A North Dakota Trade Mission to the Nordic region in October 2015 found instant enthusiasm in both North Dakota and the Nordic countries, especially in the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) sector, since it is a fast-developing field in both North Dakota and in the Nordic region. For the rest of the story, click here.

Made In Rural America Panel (LtoR): Mark Curry (USPS Kansas City), Heather Ranck (US Commercial Service Fargo,ND), William Bentley (USPS DC), and Marty Chavez (USPS Dakotas Region)

USPS Made in Rural America Event Recap
Local businesses attended the US Postal Service "Grow Your Business Day" national kick-off event on July 27th at the federal building in downtown Fargo. The initiative is part of the White House Rural Council's "Made in Rural America" efforts to expand economic opportunities in Rural America. USPS representatives from Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Sioux Falls and Fargo spoke about some unique programs the USPS offers; and Heather Ranck of the U.S. Commercial Service also provided several examples of how companies of all sizes and situations can succeed in exporting. Companies had the opportunity to network and ask one-on-one follow-up questions to the panelists and shipping specialists from the USPS For more information on the U.S. Commercial Service Rural Team, click here. 

Cuba Export Language Included in Spending Bill 
The Senate Appropriations Committee has passed the financial services bill and it will now go to the full Senate. The bill includes language that lifts the ban on private banks and companies from offering credit for agricultural exports to Cuba. North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp is behind this bill and says it brings the U.S. one step closer to opening the Cuban market. Click here for more information.

AgWeek Q&A With U.S. Commercial Service / North Dakota Office Director
Heather Ranck was interviewed by AgWeek, which covered what the U.S. Commercial Service does, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, trade mission benefits and what the most unusual experience has been thus far. To read the entire interview, click here.

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Agricultural Outlook 2016-2025 
The annual Outlook is a collaborative effort of the OECD and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It provides an assessment of medium-term prospects of national regional and global agricultural commodities for 41 countries and 12 geographical regions. The special theme chapter of this year's edition focuses on the prospects and challenges of the agricultural sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. To view the report, click here. 

"City slickers on the farm-Africa's real land grab"-- The Economist 
Read about the changing trend in some African countries when it comes to agriculture. While the common perception is that foreign investors are buying African agricultural land, the real investment is coming from in-country urbanites. Read the article by The Economist here.

Deputy Secretary Andrews Wraps Up a Successful Trip to Ukraine and Kazakhstan 
Commerce Department Deputy Secretary Andrews returned from Ukraine and Kazakhstan where he met with senior government and private sector leaders. His visit underscored the importance of these countries to the United States government and business community. In Ukraine, Deputy Secretary Andrews applauded recent reforms that have improved the country's business climate, but he reminded Ukraine's leadership team that continued progress is needed. In Kazakhstan, Andrews congratulated the country on 25 years of independence and diplomatic relations with the United States.

Environmental Technologies Resource Guide -- Europe
This guide covers best prospects in the environmental technologies sector for 12 European markets with more to come. Each country analysis includes information on the sub-sectors of water and wastewater, air pollution control, waste management and soil remediation. Click here for more information.

Export.gov Website Overhaul Complete 
Our export.gov website has gone through an overhaul and one of the most convenient new features is industry specific information. Our market research has, for the large part been organized via country in the past. Now you can also find the same information you need by industry sector-all on one webpage. Export Information by Industry will provide industry specific information on foreign markets, best prospects within that market, trade events, trade leads, and more. Below is the list of links to the industries that we have made available. We hope you take time to explore this new resource and keep growing your export markets.

Announcing the Department of Commerce New Trade Finance Advisory Council 
The Secretary of Commerce announces the establishment of the U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Finance Advisory Council (TFAC). This new federal advisory council will advise the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) in identifying effective ways to help expand access to trade finance for U.S. exporters and develop recommendations on policies and programs that the Department can incorporate as part of its export promotion and trade finance education efforts. The details can be found here. To submit a nomination, contact Ericka.Ukrow@trade.gov.

Ensure International Clients Can Find You - Website Globalization 
In this digital age, a website is a necessity for any business of any size across all industries. A company's website speaks about the organization and should be viewed by management as a virtual introduction of products and services offered to prospective customers. Read more about about this article written by Michael Waters by clicking here.

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

Pet Products Virtual Product Pitch 
Dates: Week of August 5, 2016
Did you know that Brazil has the world's 2nd largest market for pet products? Register today for our Virtual Product Pitch designed to connect U.S. pet product manufacturers with Brazil's leading distributors and largest e-commerce platforms. Contact Mindi Hertzog for more information.

Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Business Development Program in China
Dates: September 7-11, 2016
Location: Shanghai
U.S. Commercial Service China will be giving a market briefing to the participants on the first evening of the event. During the event, U.S. specialty parts companies will meet potential buyers of specialty parts in a trade show setting, visit Chinese companies that distribute and/or install U.S. specialty parts, and, they will have access to vehicles not made or sold in the United States. For more information click here.

U.S.-Canada Aerospace Technology Exchange
Dates: September 19-21,2016
Location: Toronto
Registration Fee: $1,400
The U.S.-Canada Aerospace Technology Exchange is an event organized by the U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) to serve as a platform to facilitate the connection of U.S. aerospace suppliers with potential Canadian partners in the aerospace sector. To register, email Anya Yablonska, U.S. Commercial Service Toronto at Anya.Yablonska@trade.gov. 

Discover Global Markets: Building Smart Cities! 
Dates: November 1-3, 2016
Location: Chicago
This international business conference will highlight export opportunities that exist for U.S. companies in smart city development projects around the world. Sessions will focus on relevant topics such as: global smart city trends, cyber-security, water and wastewater management, funding of smart city projects, two major markets - India and China, and more! To register or for more information, click here.

U.S. Pavilion and Booth Options at European Utility Week (EUW)
Dates: November 15-17, 2016
Location: Barcelona
The U.S. Department of Commerce has granted trade fair certification to European Utility Week, Europe's premier conference focused on IT/ICT utility services, smart homes, smart metering solutions, telecom infrastructure, T&D operations infrastructure, energy efficiency and services, renewable energy integration, intelligent building solutions, and related energy and loT services. For more information, click here.

---

Your U.S. Commercial Service / North Dakota Office 

	Heather Ranck Office Director and International Trade Specialist Ph: 701-239-5080 Email: Heather.Ranck@trade.gov
	Bryan Starner Export Assistant Ph: 701-239-5033 Email: Bryan.Starner@trade.gov
	Grant Johnson Export Assistant Ph: 701-239-5033 Email: Grant.Johnson@trade.gov

---

US Commercial Service | United States Department of Commerce | 811 Second Ave. N | Suite 436 | Fargo | ND | 58102