ND Global News - Agritechnica, Local Export Successes, ND Foreign Trade Zones, New Trade Barriers and More

 

ND Global News - November 2017
Newsletter of the U.S. Commercial Service in Fargo, North Dakota

LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS
- Local Export Success - Agritechnica Opens the Door to Europe for Butler Machinery
- Local Export Success - South Africa - South Dakota Nampo Ag Parts Connection
- Strong Local Presence in 2017 USA Pavilion at Agritechnica
- Export Assistant Internship Now Available for January
- The 2 Foreign Trade Zones of North Dakota
- Applications for 2018 President's E Awards
- 2017 Open Doors Data has been Released
- U.S. Senator Heitkamp Testifies Before the International Trade Commission
- Eight Senators including ND Delegation Seek Reversal of 50 % Duty on US Dry Pea Exports by India
- North Dakota Bakken Crude Oil For Export
- Agri-Tek Show 2018

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL NEWS
- Export Potential for U.S. Beef
- Which Passports Give People the Most Access Globally
- International Education Connection

WEBINARS
- Virtual Education Fair with Hong Kong - December 4
- Are you interested in Taiwan eCommerce Market? - December 6
- Protecting your Company's Product Designs in International Markets - December 6 

LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS

Butler’s Agritechnia mini booth in 2013

Agritechnica Opens the Door to Europe for Butler Machinery
Fargo-based Butler Machinery provides machinery and services to the construction, agriculture, mining, landscaping, power generation and trucking sectors. Butler represents manufacturers including AGCO, Caterpillar, Drago, Horsch, Killbros, Balzer, Sullair, Metso, Mesaba, and Trail King. With its large inventory of equipment and wide range of services and experience, Butler Machinery was seeking new avenues to expand globally in May 2013. Click here to read how they found success with the USA Pavilion at Agritechnica. 

 

Eric Johnson (L) and Mohammed Essay (R) with Nampo USA Pavilion sign

South Dakota - South Africa Nampo Ag Parts Connection
In early 2017, Abilene Machine Inc., a Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based retailer of recycled, re manufactured and new replacement parts for tractors and combines, appointed a nationwide South African distributor after participating in the U.S. Commercial Service's Show Intel program at Nampo. With this agreement, Abilene’s ag replacement parts solutions are now broadly available to South African customers. Click here to read the full story.  

 

 

2017 USA Pavilion at Agritechnica Booths

Strong Local Presence in 2017 USA Pavilion at Agritechnica
The U.S. Commercial Service Agritechnica Team organized its 4th USA Pavilion at Agritechnica, which ran from November 12-18, 2017 in Hanover, Germany. Agritechncia is the world's largest ag machinery show. Of the 12 USA Pavilion exhibitors, 5 were local from North Dakota or northwestern Minnesota. The hosted over 450,000 visitors this year, surpassing the previous high record in 2015. Visitor growth was recorded in the numbers from North America, Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa. Of the twelve U.S. exhibitors, five are local from North Dakota/ NW Minnesota. Click here to read more.

Export Assistant Internship Now Available for January
The U.S. Commercial Service in Fargo has an opening for a student intern, preferably for a graduate student but undergraduates can also apply. The student will assist the North Dakota Trade Specialist in preparing market research, analyzing company-by-company prospects in different markets, liaising with partner organizations, managing events, updating databases, and increasing export volume for North Dakota. For more information, click here.

The 2 Foreign Trade Zones of North Dakota
There are two Foreign-Trade Zones in North Dakota, with unique tools to help companies to reduce costs on products that are processed within the FTZ. The U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones program offers substantial advantages to U.S.-based manufacturers and distributors, many of which are not available under free trade zone regimes abroad. In general, merchandise in a zone may be assembled, exhibited, cleaned, manipulated, manufactured, mixed, processed, relabeled, repackaged, repaired, salvaged, sampled, stored, tested, displayed, and destroyed. Some of the benefits that are most attractive to companies are relief from inverted tariffs, duty exemption on re-exports, duty elimination on waste, scrap and yield loss, savings on damaged or nonconforming items, weekly entry savings, cash flow (duty deferral) savings, zone-to-zone transfers, government and military sales, and ad valorem tax relief. Please click here for the full list of FTZ by state. To receive more information on the Fargo FTZ, please contact Hector Airport Director Shawn A. Dobberstein; or for the Grand Forks FTZ, please contact Brandon Baumbach at the Grand Forks EDC.

Applications for 2018 President's E Award
The President's "E" Award is the highest exporting award in the nation, initiated by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 and presented annually since. This prestigious award recognizes persons, firms, or organizations which contribute significantly to increasing U.S. exports. Several local companies have received this award in the past. Please click here to read more about award, and if you have an interest in applying, please contact Heather.Ranck@trade.gov.

2017 Open Doors Data has been Released
The International Educational Exchange data released on November 13, 2017 by IIE and the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, indicates that the number of international students in the United States increased by three percent over the prior year, and the number of American students studying abroad increased by four percent from the prior year. To read more please click here. The Open Doors data shows state-by-state enrollment of international students include North Dakota and Minnesota. 

Senator Heidi Heitkamp

U.S. Senator Heitkamp Testifies Before the International Trade Commission
The U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp testified at the International Trade Commission (ITC) hearing on the impact of biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia, which are heavily subsidized. More details are available in this Senator Heitkamp's press release. Argentina plans to fight the US’s anti-dumping duties on its biodiesel at the World Trade Organization. claiming that maximum sanctions imposed on its biodiesel are not according to international rules. The new Argentina president sees the trade spat as an argument between private industries and not between governments so hopes to find an amenable solution at WTO. Click here to read more about Argentina's position. 

Eight Senators including ND Delegation Seek Reversal of 50 % Duty on US Dry Pea Exports by India
Eight senators form major dry pea producing states of Montana, Idaho, North Dakota and Washington signed a joint letter to the U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Purdue and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. The letter was signed by the U.S. Senators Steve Daines, Jon Tester, Heidi Heitkamp, John Hoeven, Maria Cantwell, Mire Crapo, James Risch, and Patty Murray. India, the top export market for US dry peas, imposed a 50 percent tariff on all imports of dry pea, including shipments under contract and in transit. The Senators alleged the announcement was unfair and urged the U.S. Agriculture Secretary and U.S. Trade Representative to provide relief to impacted agriculture producers by reversing the imposed 50 percent tariff on US exports of dry peas by India. More details are available in this letter.

North Dakota Bakken Crude Oil For Export
According to Kallanish Energy Report, Oklahoma-based Continental Resources had its second international sale of crude oil from the Bakken Shale in North Dakota/Montana. International markets are demonstrating accelerated interest in American light sweet oil. Continental exports have grown steadily in the last two years, primarily to foreign refineries configured to process light sweet crude oil. To read more, please click here.

Agri-Tek Show 2018
The TNT Productions , LLC invites U.S. companies to participate at the 13th Annual AgriTek/FarmTek/ Astan exhibition in Kazakhstan from March 14-16, 2018. There are only ten free-of-charge spaces available in the U.S. Pavilion. The previous edition of AgriTek/FarmTek Astana was held in March 2017 and featured 196 exhibiting companies from 21 different countries. In addition to that the event occupied an exhibition area of 4,760 square meters and a total of 4,340 farmers visited. Please click here to for additional information about the Post-Show report on exhibition. To receive more information on this opportunity, please contact Heather Rank at Heather.Ranck@trade.gov.

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Export Potential for U.S. Beef
The World Trade Organization has ruled in favor of the United States in a dispute over Indonesia's import requirements for several agricultural products. The import restrictions were originally aimed at protecting Indonesia domestic producers but actually resulted in unintended consequences. The Indonesia beef supply declined which resulted in high prices for consumers. The WTO ruling is expected to open up significant new export opportunities for U.S. beef in Indonesian market. More details on the ruling are available on the WTO website and in this news release from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

Which Passports Give People the Most Access Globally?
According to the Passport Index, Singapore is now the leading country in the world with passport that gives people the most access globally. This was following the removal of visa requirements by Paraguay. Singapore passport holders can visit 159 countries easily. Passport Index include passports of 193 United Nations member countries and six territories -- ROC Taiwan, Macao (SAR China), Hong Kong (SAR China), Kosovo, Palestinian Territory and the Vatican -- are considered for the index. Territories annexed to other countries are excluded. So which passports offer the least mobility? Coming in at last place on the updated Passport Index list is Afghanistan, which has a score of 22, followed by Pakistan and Iraq (26), Syria (29) and Somalia (34). More stats about the ranking are available on the Passport Index website. 

International Education Connection
The Global Education market update provided by the U.S. Commercial Service Global Education and Training Services Team includes a focus on opportunities in Central Europe. Click here to read this quarterly newsletter about the market entry and opportunities in Central Europe. Also, please refer to the same link for more information on the upcoming international education fairs.

WEBINARS

Virtual Education Fair with Hong Kong
This Virtual Education Fair will provide six educational institutions with the opportunity to present "live" (using online tools) to top recruitment agents in Hong Kong. During the 2015/2016 academic year, Hong Kong ranked 21st leading place of origin for students coming to the United States (IIE Open Doors Report). Over 66 percent of these students are seeking undergraduate studies in the United States to improve job prospects in Hong Kong. Hong Kong parents do seek education agents to search for appropriate schools. U.S. schools should consider partnering with recruitment agents in Hong Kong to promote their programs and recruit students.
Location: From your desk
Date: December 4th
Time: 8:00 pm EST
Who should participate: U.S. Boarding Schools, Undergraduate Programs(STEM), and Special Education Schools
Cost: $710 per institution

If you like to register or have questions, please contact Grabriela.Zelaya@trade.gov, or Steven.Garrett@trade.gov

Are you interested in Taiwan eCommerce Market?
Please join the US Commercial Service for a webinar from speakers that will give information on the most current trends in Taiwan eCommerce market and provide insights on Taiwan consumer behavior. The eCommerce market in Taiwan has grown at a rapid pace over the past few years, with a market size of US$37.6 billion in 2016 and a 5-year average growth rate of 10-20%. The webinar will offer opportunities to learn Taiwan's eCommerce environment along with its business model and coach you on how to enter the eCommerce market through eTrader or specialty eCommerce platforms in Taiwan. 
Location: Your home or office computer
Date: December 6th
Time: 7:00 pm EST
Cost: US$25 participation fee
Registration Deadline: November 30th, 2017
Application Requirements:

• Company must be registered and headquartered in the U.S., producing "Made in america" consumer goods
• Must have existing sales in the U.S.
• Export experience preferred

Please click here to register.

Protecting your Company's Product Designs in International Markets
Is your product design safe? Is the safety your product design preventing you from entering international markets? If so, this seminar is for you! Please join International Trade Administration Office of Intellectual Property Rights and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Wednesday, December 6th and learn how to protect your product designs internationally. The International Patent Legal Administration expert, Boris Milef will be training participants through the process and procedures of the Hague System. 
Location:Your desk
Date: December 6th
Time: 2:00 pm EST
Cost: $25

Please click here to read more and register.

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Your U.S. Commercial Service / North Dakota Office 

	Heather Ranck Office Director, USDOC Rural Team Leader and International Trade Specialist Ph: 701-239-5080 Email: Heather.Ranck@trade.gov
	Kekoura Sakouvogui Export Assistant Ph: 701-239-5033 Email: Kekoura.Sakouvogui@trade.gov
	Joseph Mwagura Export Assistant Ph: 701-239-5033 Email: Joseph.Mwagura@trade.gov

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

• Butler+Machinery+WIN.pdf