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

 

World Trade News and Events - May 2017

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

LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS
- Local Success Story: Taking Angola's Potato Industry From Tuber to Tater
- Help Solve Exporter Mysteries: Avoiding Culture Clashes in India
- Klobuchar visits Brainerd area pet food maker
- U.S. Commerce Dept. sponsored Ukrainian trade delegation visits Fargo
- Fargo manufacturer plans to double its workforce as it expands 
- Bismarck State College, Saudi Aramco discuss prospects of educational partnership
- Mike Allocca hosts another successful seminar

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL NEWS
- European Exporters: Important Update on EU - US Privacy Shield Framework

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
- Discover Global Markets: Europe & Beyond
- U.S. Pavilion at POWER-GEN Europe - June 27 - 29 
- Smart Cities Business Development Mission to Poland & the Czech Republic - September 10 - 15 
- Sustainable Building and Construction Trade Mission to Mexico - October 16 - 20
- USA Pavilion at BEZPEKA Ukraine: International Trade Show of Safety and Security - October 17 - 20 

Dr. Andy Robinson

WEBINARS
- Doing Business in China Through eCommerce video series 

LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS

Taking Angola's Potato Industry From Tuber to Tater
Dr. Andrew Robinson, a North Dakota State University and University of Minnesota Agricultural Extension potato researcher, visited Angola in early March 2017 to consult on potato production practices. For the full story, click here.

Help Solve Export Mysteries: Avoiding Culture Clashes in India
Last month's mystery was for a local company that is considering terminating a dealership relationship with a 10+ year dealer in Korea who hasn't generated sales or communicated pro-active strategies or updates in the past several years.We received some great advice in response to this dilemma. Click here to view what local expert experts had to say. This month’s mystery is for a US company that has a significant opportunity to partner with a large Indian company that want to co-develop a cutting edge technology product.This deal would be a game changer for the US company but the executives from the US company have no prior experience in India (although they do have other international experience). The US company is planning to send a company representative to meet with the Indian firm. What steps would you take to prepare for this meeting in India? What resources would you employ if you were the US company? Please submit responses to Heather.Ranck@trade.gov or Carter.Pedersen@trade.gov and look for responses in next months newsletter. 

Klobuchar visits Brainerd area pet food maker
Check out this story recently featured in the Brainerd Dispatch. Senator Amy Klobuchar visited Barrett Petfood Innovations to hear how global problems impact small companies in Minnesota. (Source: brainerddispatch.com; story by Zach Kayser)

U.S. Commerce Dept. Funded Ukrainian trade delegation visits Fargo
A Ukrainian agricultural machinery trade delegation was in Minnesota and North Dakota May 15-17 visiting local officials, manufacturers, dealers and educational institutions. Delegation members were recruited from large commercial farming operations in Ukraine, and the majority were sponsored and selected by the U.S. Department of Commerce's SABIT (Special American Business Internship Training) program, which aims to build partnerships with Eastern European businesses through training and technical assistance. The Minnesota Trade Office and North Dakota Trade Office assisted in hosting the delegation, including an agribusiness Forum in Minneapolis and a reception in Moorhead.

Saudi officials with Dr. Bruce Emmil

Fargo manufacturer plans to double its workforce as it expands
A local manufacturer of syringe handling and packaging equipment plans to add thousands of square feet of office space and add 68 new full-time employees over the next five years. Körber Medipak Systems, formerly Fargo Automation has had success expanding abroad with the help of the Commercial Service. Check out the full article here, and an export success story featuring Fargo Automation. 

Bismarck State College, Saudi Aramco discuss energy education
Officials representing Saudi Aramco's National Power Academy recently met with leaders of the National Energy Center of Excellence to discuss the prospects of an educational partnership wherein BSC would provide the educational resources to train and educate the next generation of Saudi Arabia's energy workforce. Saudi Aramco was impressed by BSC's knowledgeable faculty, state-of-the-art laboratories, and national reputation as a leader in energy education. 

Participants at the May 9 Allocca event

Mike Allocca hosts another successful export seminar
Export expert Mike Allocca returned to Fargo for the fifth time, hosting a successful seminar focused on export compliance. This all day event covered  topics ranging from due diligence to NAFTA basics. Participants praised Mike for his easy to follow teaching style, positive demeanor, and ability to break down complex topics into layman's terms.

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL NEWS

EU - US Privacy Shield Framework update
Are you doing business in Europe or taking orders for your U.S. goods and services from European companies or individuals? Then you are collecting data that may be subject to EU privacy laws and need to know about compliance and the EU-US Privacy Shield Framework. To learn about important upcoming changes to the agreement, visit https://www.privacyshield.gov/welcome. 

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

Discover Global Markets:Europe & Beyond
Discover Global Markets is the most effective way to gain immediate feedback on your company's export viability in over 15 markets around the world. This conference will feature a dynamic mix of keynote speakers, sector-specific breakout sessions, "ask the experts" and OEM panels, and plenty of time built in for networking with your peers. In just three days, attendees of Discover Global Markets: Europe & Beyond will uncover new exporting opportunities, learn from seasoned exporters, and connect with hundreds of networking contacts. To register, click here, for more information contact Susan Whitney at Susan.Whitney@trade.gov. 

U.S. Pavilion at POWER-GEN Europe
The U.S. Pavilion at POWER-GEN Europe is an affordable opportunity for mid-sized US-based companies to gain exposure and expand their business in Europe. This opportunity has many advantages including:

• Exposure to Europe's largest gathering of international power professionals
• Turnkey exhibit solution without the expense and logistical challenges of shipping overseas
• Centralized location on the exhibit floor
• Great visibility as part of a larger overall footprint
• Close proximity to other US companies

Click here to learn more about the U.S. Pavilion & view our archived webinar. Space is limited so reserve a spot today! Contact Desiree Reyes at desireer@pennwell.com. 

Smart Cities Business Development Mission to Poland & the Czech Republic
Since joining the European Union in 2004, Poland & the Czech Republic have worked to develop their economies and living standards to be on par with advanced countries in the EU. TO this end, they continue to invest significant resources in the development of infrastructure, including intelligent transportation systems, smart governance, smart grids, energy efficiency and green buildings. To position U.S. companies to be significant contributors to the Smart City developments in these two markets, USCS Poland and the Czech Republic are hosting an official US Commerce Department trade mission, September 10-15, 2017. For more information click here.

Sustainable Building and Construction Trade Mission to Mexico
Mexico ranks second among top markets for U.S. building product exporters due to its proximity, established transport links and duty-free status under NAFTA. Take advantage of this this trade mission's unique features including:

• We'll facilitate your participation in exclusive meetings and networking events with potential buyers, distributors, and/or sales agents.
• You'll gain access to Expo CIHAC, Mexico's best construction trade show
• We'll provide you with in-depth market briefings as well as facilitate popular trade show marketing opportunities.
• Also, there are options for B2B services, including a mission extension to Guadalajara for pre-arranged meetings with potential  business partners.

For more information, and to register, click here. The deadline to apply is September 1, 2017.

BEZPEKA Ukraine
This show covers ten safety and security segments including fire safety & technical systems, CCTV & video surveillance, and systems perimeter protection. In years past the show has drawn nearly 6239 visitors and 135 exhibitors representing 265 brands from 10 countries. Join Motorola Solutions and Newcomer Arms at the first-ever U.S. Pavilion for Safety and Security in Ukraine. The USA-themed booth package includes:

• Fully equipped booth in center of the exhibit hall
• A seminar to showcase new products and services 
• An International Reception 
• Matchmaking services during the show 
• Access to the USA Pavilion lounge and meeting area

The total package cost is $3,400 per company. For more information please contact Anatoliy Sakhno at Anatoliy.Sakhno@trade.gov or +38-050-384-2944.

WEBINARS

Doing Business in China Through eCommerce Video Series
This extensive video series is hosted and funded by USDA's eCommerce Virtual Training Center. This video series is the latest deliverable from CS China's 'China 2020 Strategy' that was launched in 2015. The five videos cover the following topics:

• Introduction to eCommerce in China/USDA
• Marketing on China's eCommerce platforms/FCS
• Logistics of getting your product to China/USDA
• Dealing with Customs/FCS
• IPR in China/FCS-PTO
  

Anybody interested in these videos can access them through the following link: http://usdachina.com/membervideos/

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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
	Carter Pedersen Export Assistant Ph: 701-239-5033 Email: Carter.Pedersen@trade.gov

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