ND Global News - Superior Grain Equipment Africa Success, Application Period Open for Foreign Commercial Service, Tom Shorma Tips on Exporting and More

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ND Global News - May 2019
Newsletter of the U.S. Commercial Service in Fargo, North Dakota

LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS
- Rylan Drake Hired as Export Assistant at U.S. Commercial Service / North Dakota
Superior Grain Equipment's Long Term Commitment to Africa Pays Off
Export Documentation Seminar with Mike Allocca Event a Success
ND District Export Council Chairman Tom Shorma shares tips on Exporting and Employee Management
- Foreign Commercial Service Application Open 
WTO Rules in Favor of US
- VP Mike Pence Visits NW Minnesota with Focus on US Mexico Canada Free Trade Agreement

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL NEWS AND EVENTS
- Senate Confirms Nominees to Export-Import Bank
Mexico Becomes U.S.'s Largest Trading Partner
American Chamber of Commerce Trade Mission to Mongolia
- U.S. - Caribbean Business Conference 2019
- Innovative Technologies in Aviation Work Group Indonesia
- 11th Annual Pacific NW Export Conference
How to do Business with Multilateral Development Banks
- Tap into Energy and Infrastructure Opportunities in the Middle East and Africa

WEBINARS AND VIRTUAL EVENTS
- Go Global Webinar Series

LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS

Rylan Drake

Rylan Drake Hired as Export Assistant at U.S. Commercial Service North Dakota
Rylan Drake has joined the U.S. Commercial Service (CS) in Fargo as an export assistant. He is a student at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, with a major in International Business and a minor in Chinese Languages. Rylan’s study emphasis is business operations and cultural influences affecting international trade operations. Rylan studied abroad at the United International College in Zhuhai, China; and while in China, he also served in an internship for the Bismarck-based transportation services firm Midwest Motor Express. Rylan’s interests outside of work include golf, hockey and spending time with family and friends.

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Superior Grain Equipment's Long Term Commitment to Africa Pays Off
Superior Grain Equipment is a Kindred, ND based manufacturer of grain storage and drying equipment. The company has been pro-actively pursuing partnerships in Africa since 2011. After participating in NAMPO 2011, Superior signed up a dealer in Zimbabwe, and this dealer went on to become one of Superior’s most successful customers. As a direct result of contacts from NAMPO, Superior has generated approximately $2.5 million in sales in Africa. Other leads continue to come to Superior from support by U.S. Commercial Service (CS) staff. Click here to learn more. Engelstad is currently participating in his ninth consecutive year in the USA Pavilion at the NAMPO show.

Mike Alloca

Fargo Export Documentation Seminar with Mike Allocca Event a Success
On Thursday, May 9th, over 40 individuals participated in a Mike Allocca Export Documentation Seminar. Mr. Allocca, in this seminar, presented an in-depth overview of the necessary requirements that companies must take and abide by when exporting internationally. Lisa Young of Hamilton Systems said this about her experience, "I learn valuable and practical information at Mike Alloca's seminars, and I refer to the reference materials he provides all the time when preparing export documents." Mr, Allocca will likely be in Fargo next spring with another export program.

ND District Export Council Chairman and CEO of WCCO Belting shares tips on Exporting and Employee Management
Tom Shorma, Chairman of the North Dakota District Export Council and CEO of WCCO Belting recently appeared on a Podcast interview for the small business publication Recalculating. In the interview, Tom talked about tips that he recommends for exporting internationally, and he also shared some employee management tips and covered a number of other topics. Click here to listen.

Foreign Commercial Service Application Open
The 2019-2020 Recruitment Cycle for the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service will open applications during the period of May 20th - June 3rd, 2019. This is a rare opportunity to join the Foreign Commercial Service. There is an increased focus on hiring candidates from rural and Midwestern regions into the Foreign Service. To apply, please visit the USA Jobs website to submit your application. Click here to learn more about the application, assessment, and careers as a Foreign Commercial Service Officer. 

WTO

WTO Rules in Favor of US on China Wheat, Rice and Corn TRQ Dispute
On April 18th, 2019, the World Trade Organization sided with the U.S. in its complaint that China has not lived up to pledges it made to buy billions of dollars of wheat, rice, and corn through tariff rate quotas. If China would have set up the TRQs, there would have been a boost of $3.5 Billion in 2015 alone. The U.S. is currently pressing China to come into compliance with it's WTO obligations. Click here to learn more. 

VP Mike Pence Visits NW Minnesota with Focus on U.S. Canada Mexico Free Trade Agreement

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Photo credit: Forum Communications

Vice President Mike Pence visited a farm in Glyndon to listen and speak about the US Canada Mexico (USMCA) Free Trade Agreement that will likely come up for a vote in Congress. VP Pence highlighted the important role House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson plays, and thanked him for his support for the USMCA. Here is a Fact Sheet on Ag-Focused outcomes of the USMCA, and this Fact Sheet focuses on benefits for manufacturers. Here is a statement from Peterson in response to Pence's visit. 



NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL NEWS AND EVENTS

Senate Confirms Nominees to Export-Import Bank

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On May 8th the United States Senate confirmed three nominees of President Donald J. Trump as members of the board of directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. The bipartisan votes restore the export credit agency to full financing capacity. The three individuals now on the Board of Directors are Spencer T. Bachus III of Alabama, Judith DelZoppo Pryor of Ohio, and Kimberly Reed of West Virginia. Mrs. Reed was chosen to be the President and Chairwoman of the Board of Directors. Click here or here to learn more. 

 

Mexico Becomes U.S.'s Largest Trading Partner
According to a recent Article by Ken Roberts in Forbes, Mexico is currently the United State's Largest Trading Partner. Mexico usually ranks third behind Canada and China. Through February, US trade has increased a relatively modest 3.36% while trade with current No. 2 Canada is down 4.12% and No. 3 China is down 13.52%. 

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American Chamber of Commerce Trade Mission to Mongolia
This trade mission will focus on helping U.S. companies active in the agricultural, food processing, energy, and logistics sectors as well as companies looking to expand their franchising operation to explore new opportunities or grow their businesses into the Mongolian market. Participation includes; Meetings with senior Mongolian Government official, Luncheons with local trade associations and business leaders, Opportunity to exhibit your products at the "American Day " Exp, Matchmaking with Mongolian businesses, Networking with industry contacts, Site visits, and a Reception at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence. The registration deadline is July 24th, 2019. Click here to learn more.

U.S. - Caribbean Business Conference 2019
The event is a great opportunity for U.S. firms interested in expanding their business in the Caribbean. High priority sectors include: energy, transportation, design & construction, ICT, and healthcare. The program will include U.S. diplomats, industry professionals, trade experts, international business experts, high-level government officials and seasoned exporters – with plenty of opportunity for networking. The registration deadline is May 15th, 2019. Click here to learn more. 

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Innovative Technologies in Aviation Work Group Indonesia

CS Indonesia is excited to announce a U.S. - Indonesia Aviation (UAV) Working Group event that will take place in Jakarta on May 13-14, 2019. There will be a reception with the Ambassador, and networking opportunities as well as a general aviation update from all the major stakeholders on the Indonesian side. Please contact Melissa (Melissa.Wijaya@trade.gov) or Yessy (Yessy.Verni@trade.gov) with any questions.

11th Annual Pacific Northwest Export Conference
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Commercial Service have partnered together with Seattle University School of Law to present this program. This Export Conference is designed to help companies understand export controls and procedures. This year's conference main topic will be on Cyber-Security. It will occur on July 31st - August 1st at the Seattle University School of Law. For more information, contact Heather.Ranck@trade.gov 

How to do Business with Multilateral Development Banks
MDBs lend billions of dollars in developing countries for projects aimed at accelerating economic growth and social development by reducing poverty and inequality, improving health and education, advancing infrastructure development, and encouraging privatization, good governance and rule of law. Doing business with any of the MDBs depends on a company’s ability to do business in the country where the project will be implemented, and with the borrowing government that runs the procurement process. If you are interested in working with any of these banks in a foreign country y
our “first stop” should be your local U.S. Export Assistance Center. It is also important to review the Country Commercial Guide (CCG) for the countries you intend to target. Click here to learn more. 

St. Louis

Complying with U.S. Export Controls Event
Comprehensive program designed to help those looking to export comply with all of the obligations under the Export Administration Regulations.This event will take place on July 24th and 25th in St. Louis, MO. Registration is due by July 17th. Click here to learn more. 

Tap into Energy and Infrastructure Opportunities in the Middle East and Africa
Strong Government investment plans and growing populations are creating new energy and infrastructure opportunities in the Middle East and Africa for U.S. exporters. In 2019, the region is expected to have the fastest construction industry growth rate in the world with new refineries and strong focus on supplying energy needs. There will be a Discover Global Markets Forum regarding these topics from Sept. 30th - Oct. 2nd in Houston, Texas. Click here to learn more. 

WEBINARS AND VIRTUAL EVENTS 

Go Global Webinar Series
Free webinar that will explain how to make business travel a success. In addition, you will hear directly form experts at federal trade agencies. This webinar is titled, Manage Challenges in the Global Marketplace on May 16th, at 1 pm Central, but there will be more to follow. Click here to learn more. 


 

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

 

Kole Nichols
Export Assistant
Ph: 701-239-5033
Email: Kole.Nichols@trade.gov

 

Rylan Drake

Rylan Drake 
Export Assistant
Ph: 701-239-5033
Email: Rylan.Drake@trade.gov

 

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