ND Global News - Internship opening, how to sleuth unsolicited inquiries, doing business in Canada, Brexit update and more

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ND Global News - February 2018
Newsletter of the U.S. Commercial Service in Fargo, North Dakota

LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS
- Kekoura Sakouvogui Completes U.S. Commercial Service Internship
- Export Assistant Internship Now Available
- Solving Export Mysteries: Getting Paid and Sleuthing International Prospects 
Western ND Global Exporter Aerospace Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing Profile

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL NEWS AND EVENTS 
- Global Energy Team Newsletter
Import Duties for Biodiesel Imports from Argentina and Indonesia
- SEMA Australian Business Development Conference to Take Place in Melbourne
- Workshop on Incoterms and Letters of Credit - Sioux Falls, SD on February 28

WEBINARS
-
The Logistics of Doing Business in Canada - April 10 at 1 p.m. Central
BREXIT Update : Implications for US Exports to the UK and EU - March 22 at 11 a.m. Central
- Virtual Education Fair Offered for Russia and the Ukraine - March 21, 7 a.m. Central

LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS

 Kekoura

Kekoura Sakouvogui Completes US Commercial Service Internship
Kekoura Sakouvogui has completed his internship at the U.S. Commercial Service. He will be completing a PhD in Statistics and a Masters in Agribusiness & Applied Economics from NDSU in May 2018. Kekoura's position was supported by the NDTO / NDSU Export Assistantship program.

Export Assistant Internship Now Available
The U.S. Commercial Service in Fargo is currently seeking an export assistant / intern. The position is a professional position. 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.

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Solving Export Mysteries: Getting Paid and Sleuthing International Prospects
Each month we ask local companies share your best practices on how you solve common export mysteries. The February mystery is to know how you prefer to get paid by international buyers. There are a gamut of methods, from cash in advance to export credit insurance to letters of credit (and many other options). If you have tried multiple methods and you have some insight to share, please email us so we can share the advice with others. January's mystery was how you figure out who it REALLY is when you get a fresh international sales or partnership lead via email, your trade show booth or the phone. With the prevalence of the internet as a global research tool, most U.S. companies receive the bulk of unsolicited international inquiries via online channels. But is that party who contacts you who they say they are? We have compiled suggestions from North Dakota District Export Council members, along with our own suggestions, so click here to see some advice and options.

Western ND Global Manufacturer Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing Profiled
The Dickinson Press did a spotlight story on Kristin Hedger, VP for Business Development at Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing in the rural western North Dakota town of Killdeer. The company and Kristin have taken a leading role in global pursuits. Hedger was also recently appointed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to the ND District Export Council. Read the story here.

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Global Energy Team Newsletter
Click here to view the Global Energy Team's February Newsletter.

Import Duties on Biodiesel Imports from Argentina and Indonesia
The U.S. Commerce Department ruled in favor of the National Biodiesel Fair Trade Coalition on Wednesday when it found evidence of dumping of biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia. The final ruling means importers of Argentine biodiesel will have to pay cash deposit rates ranging from 60.44 percent to 86.41 percent, and buyers of Indonesia fuel will have to pay deposit rates of 92.52 percent to 276.65 percent, depending on which foreign company is involved. Imports of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia were valued at an estimated $1.2 billion and $268 million, respectively, in 2016, the Commerce Department said.
Source: Politico

SEMA Australian Business Development Conference to Take Place in Melbourne
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) invites US companies to come and learn more about Australia's vehicle customization market. Meet with Australian and New Zealand distributors, while visiting vehicle customization shops in the Melbourne area, and receiving a market briefing from the US Commercial Service's Australian Staff. US Companies may apply for funding for this trip through a US Department of Commerce award. For more information, click here.

Date: May 24-28, 2018
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Workshop on Incoterms and Letters of Credit Offered 
The South Dakota International Trade Center is offering a workshop on Incoterms and letters of credit. This event is approved as a CGBP recertification program, with attendees who register for the entire session receiving 7.25 CEUs towards recertification. Information on what documents are required in a letter of credit and who determines them, common misconceptions about Incoterms, etc. will be covered. This event is also being offered as a webinar. For more information, click here.

Date: February 28, 2018
Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
All Day On-site Fee: $250
All Day Webinar: $200

WEBINARS

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The Logistics of Doing Business in Canada
Join the US Commercial Service in a webinar to help those new to exporting or currently exporting to Canada develop a strategic approach to this market. The webinar will help in understanding the process for temporary travel to Canada, engage in business development, and will feature a speaker from the Corporate Immigration Law Firm. For more information, click here.

Date: April 10, 2018
Time: 12 pm-1 pm CST
Cost: $25

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BREXIT Update : Implications for US Exports to the UK and EU
BREXIT will have potentially dramatic implications for American exporters to Europe. In addition to the ongoing Brexit negotiations, the U.S. and the United Kingdom held the second meeting of the U.S.-UK Trade and Investment Working Group in London on November 13-14, to continue discussions on ways to ensure commercial continuity and strengthen two-way trade ahead of Britain’s March 2019 exit from the European Union. The working group is also laying the groundwork for a potential post-Brexit bilateral U.S.-UK free trade agreement. U.S. companies participating in this webinar will learn about current developments with Brexit and how this will impact business with the United Kingdom and with the European Union with a focus on industry sector implications. For more information, click here.
Date: March 22, 2018
Time: 11 a.m. Central
Duration: 90 Minutes
Cost: $50

Virtual Education Fair Being Offered for Russia and Ukraine
The US Commercial Service Global Education Team has two spots left for an upcoming Virtual Education Fair (VEF). VEFs are chances for private high schools, colleges, or universities to reach the best performing agents in the participating countries. Agents will visit the US Consulate or Embassy in their country in order to listen to a ten minute presentation on each accepted school. Potential partners can be found from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and Vladivostok in Russia, Ukraine and Armenia. For more information, click here.

Date: March 21, 2018
Time: 7 am CST

 


 

Your U.S. Commercial Service / North Dakota Office 

hr  Heather Ranck
Office Director and International Trade Specialist
Ph: 701-239-5080
Email: Heather.Ranck@trade.gov  
   
 HC

Haley Coffield
Export Assistant
Ph: 701-239-5033
Email: Haley.Coffield@trade.gov
 Joshua Joshua Erickson 
Export Assistant
Ph: 701-239-5033
Email: Joshua.Erickson@trade.gov

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