ND Global News - Local US Senators / Reps Introduce Legislation to Create Rural Export Center, USDOC General Counsel Visits Grafton to Talk Trade, Icelandic Prime Minister Visits Mountain, ND and More

 

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

LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS
- Learn International Market Research Skills at Seminar in Fargo - August 23
- Bill Supporting Rural Exports Introduced in US Congress
- General Counsel for US DOC Visits Grafton to Discuss Trade Policy
- Icelandic Prime Minister Visits Rural North Dakota Town
- Commerce Releases Tool to Assist Companies with Tariffs

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL NEWS AND EVENTS
- International Woodworking Fair to be Held in Georgia
- India Potential Buyer for Excess US Oil No Longer Exported to China
- Discover Global Markets: Indo-Pacific Event Planned for Aerospace, Defense, and Security
- Trade Winds Business Forum and Trade Mission Planned for India
- DOC Matchmaking Programs Available at Solar Energy Conference
- BIS to Hold Two-Day EAR Program in California
- August Energy Team Newsletter Available with LNG Webinar
- Trade Mission to Mongolia Scheduled for October

WEBINARS
- US Commercial Service Webinar to Explore Indian Aerospace Market
- Brazilian Oil Company to be Featured in Webinar

LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS

Learn International Market Research Skills at Seminar in Fargo - August 23
The US Commercial Service / North Dakota staff will be holding an international market research seminar. Learn how to use simple, online research tools to help background check potential buyers, find new markets, how to find country specific resources, etc. Also hear from local companies with international market research and exporting experience. To register, click here.
Date: August 23, 2018
Time: 10:00 AM - 3 PM CST
Cost: $125

Bill Supporting Rural Exports Introduced in US Congress
The Promoting Rural Exports Act of 2018 was introduced in both the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives in June 2018. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. John Hoeven, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, Rep. Kevin Cramer and Rep. Collin Peterson are co-sponsors. The Act was supported by close to twenty companies throughout North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. It would establish a research center for small, rural companies from across the US who are in need of market research assistance for export expansion. If passed, the research center will be under the direction of the US Commercial Service and US Department of Commerce. Click here for more details.  

Peter Davidson and Rep. Cramer in Grafton

General Counsel for US DOC Visits Grafton to Discuss Trade Policy
Peter Davidson, General Counsel for the US Department of Commerce, visited Grafton, ND on August 3 for a Town Hall on Ag & Trade with Representative Kevin Cramer. Davidson and Cramer heard from bean, potato, sugar and grain farmers regarding US trade policy, its impacts, and how the Administration is working to address long-standing issues with trade partners. Davidson shared updates on trade negotiations and promised to bring messages back with him to Washington, DC. Davidson has family connections to North Dakota and grew up in Minneapolis. During the meeting, Heather Ranck of the US Commercial Service cited new ways the US Commercial Service is helping companies connect with new trade partners via in-person connections similar to the Access Asia program that occurred in Fargo in July (to connect ethanol and oil companies to new markets in Asia), and through targeted market research. For more information on the Town Hall, click here.  

Jakobsdottir with her ninth cousin, from ND Tourism, Fred Walker.

Icelandic Prime Minister Visits Rural North Dakota Town
Mountain, North Dakota hosted the Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrin Jakobsdottir, during their 119th annual August the Deuce celebration. Prime Minister Jakobsdottir is the sixth prime minister of Iceland to visit for the event, and was the keynote speaker at the August the Deuce Heritage Program. With a population of approximately 84, Mountain attracts over 100 Icelandic visitors for the celebration every year, along with visitors from across North Dakota, the United States, and Canada in celebration of their shared heritage. Click here for more information. 

Commerce Releases Tool to Assist Companies with Tariffs
To assist companies whose products are affected by retaliatory tariffs imposed by US trading partners, DOC's Industry and Analysis division has developed a Retaliation Product Coverage Matrix, along with additional retaliation information. The matrix includes Canada, the EU, India, Japan, Mexico, and Turkey. The matrix is updated as new information becomes public. Click here for more information.

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL NEWS AND EVENTS

International Woodworking Fair to be Held in Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia, will be host to the International Woodworking Fair (IWF) from August 22-25. This event is apart of the International Buyers Program (IBP). The IBP uses government resources to connect US companies with potential overseas partners. This includes meeting one-on-one with pre-screened buyers, market research from embassy specialists, and more. The IWF is expecting over 100 international buyers. For more information, click here.

Dates: August 22 - 25, 2018
Location: Atlanta, Georgia

India Potential Buyer for Excess US Oil No Longer Exported to China
China has traditionally been the top market, but with slowed sales, India is a promising alternative. From April to May, oil exports multiplied by nine. One issue though comes with Indian refineries. While US crude is lighter, most Indian refineries are equipped to process heavier crude that has higher sulfur content. For more information, click here.  

Discover Global Markets: Indo-Pacific Event Planned for Aerospace, Defense, and Security
The DOC and Utah District Export Council will be hosting a DGM event specific to the Indo-Pacific region for the aerospace, defense, and security sectors. Meet with both private sector buyers and US government officials to learn more about market opportunities and barriers. US Commercial Service diplomats from fourteen different countries will be on hand to provide market intelligence and support. Click here for more information.

Date: December 10 - 12, 2018
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Cost: $325 (Before September 5th)

Trade Winds Business Forum and Trade Mission Planned for India
In conjunction with Access Asia, a conference and trade mission is currently being planned for New Delhi, India and surrounding countries. US exporters will meet with decision makers in companies to learn about market opportunities for their products in that region. For more information, click here.

DOC Matchmaking Programs Available at Solar Energy Conference
The Department of Commerce is offering their business to government networking program, Showtime, at this year's Solar Power International event. Participating in the Showtime program will give you the opportunity to meet one-on-one with up to fifteen country and industry specialists. This free service is open only for US exhibitors to take advantage of. For more information, click here.

BIS to Hold Two-Day EAR Program in California
The Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS) will be holding a program that will provide an in-depth examination of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The program will provide exporters with information they need to be compliant with US export control requirements. Product specific exercises will be used to help participants learn how to determine licensing requirements, when a license is not required for exporting, etc. Click here for more information.
Date: September 19-20, 2018
Location: Los Angeles, California
Cost: $500/person

August Energy Team Newsletter Available with LNG Webinar
The US Commercial Service Energy Team released its August newsletter. Featured this month is a recorded webinar on Korea's LNG industry. For $25, this webinar can be accessed at anytime. For more information, click here.

Trade Mission to Mongolia Scheduled for October
The US DOC in partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce in Mongolia and US Embassy in Mongolia has announced a trade mission to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in October. Agricultural, livestock, food and beverage, and environmental technologies sectors will be targeted. Opportunities to connect with potential business partners, network with government officials, and interact with others in similar industries will be available. Click here for more information.
Date: October 14-16, 2018
Registration Deadline: September 20, 2018
Cost: Sliding Scale Based on Company Size

WEBINARS

US Commercial Service Webinar to Explore Indian Aerospace Market
The US Commercial Service is hosting a webinar for US companies to learn more about the aerospace market in India, specifically in civil aviation and airport development. The Indian aerospace market is estimated to be worth $16 billion. Speakers from the private sector, along with both the US and Indian government will discuss both opportunities and challenges in the market. Click here for more information.
Date: August 21, 2018 
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM CST
Cost: $25

Brazilian Oil Company to be Featured in Webinar
The Brazilian oil company, Petrobras, will be featured in an Energy Team and CS Rio webinar. The webinar will focus on Brazil's onshore oil and gas sector. Petrobras mainly focuses on offshore drilling, but has onshore projects planned that will require over 1300 onshore wells. If unable to attend the webinar, a recorded version is also available for companies who register. For more information, click here.  

Date: September 5, 2018
Time: 1:00 CST PM 
Cost: $25

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

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