U.S. EXPORTERS' RESOURCE CENTER (updated 3/3/07):
This post will be updated on a regular basis. Certain entries will be eliminated. New links will be added. I will insert very subtle humor, and shameless self-promotion wherever I can sneak it in. Despite this, I hope that you will add this POST to your FAVORITES for ready reference. If you do not, terrible things may begin to happen to you (this is an idle threat that only a superstitious fool would believe).
If you find any particular website listed here especially helpful, kindly let me know about it...similarly, should you find any website inaccessible or less than helpful, I would greatly appreciate being advised of that, as well. Simply reference U. S. EXPORTERS' RESOURCE CENTER (and the date of the post), and email me directly at FreeDECastle001@yahoo.com. I might even become sufficiently inspired to change the pictures on this post from time to time. On a serious note, this information is provided to assist you to expand your operations to include EXPORT -- I am also always personally available, should you have any specific ideas, issues, co-ventures, business plans or specific transactions to discuss. I would be honored to engage in productive correspondence or commerce with any aspiring Internationalist regarding export or any other issues concerning Internationalism.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
IF YOU ARE TRULY AN IMPATIENT SOUL, YOU CAN SKIP MY CUSTOMARY, LONG-WINDED SPEECH AND GET RIGHT TO THE THE "MEAT" (THE LINKS!), BY SIMPLY SCROLLING DOWN TO WHERE YOU SEE THE AWE-INSPIRING PICTURE OF THE EARTH, AS VIEWED FROM SPACE. THAT'S WHERE THE SERIOUS BUSINESS WILL COMMENCE. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED...SOME SERIOUS HUMANITARIAN MORALIZING BEGINS NOW...
The best way to achieve a peaceful, unified world, is through enlightened international commerce. Let us all work together to make this a peaceful and profitable 2007. With globalization, outsourcing, offshoring and the potential of the Internet, Internationalism is a natural step in the evolution of business. Xenophobia (which is very difficult to spell anyway) is losing both its economic and political appeal. If you choose to fear and avoid change to a multicultural commercial environment, your market share will be taken right out from under you by your more courageous and open-minded competitors. Be flexible, like the willow tree, and survive the winds of change.
ARE YOU READY TO SCROLL DOWN TO THE LINKS SECTION YET? JUST LOOK FOR THE PICTURE OF THE EARTH. REALLY. I WON'T BE OFFENDED. I PERSONALLY WOULD HAVE SCROLLED DOWN RIGHT AFTER THE VAPID (YET ACCURATE) "WILLOW TREE" METAPHOR.
CAPITALISM, HUMANELY APPLIED, CAN ACCOMPLISH POSITIVE AND LASTING CHANGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL OF SOCIETY AND HUMANKIND. WAR WOULD BECOME FAR LESS DESIRABLE AND PREVALENT IF PEACE WERE SHOWN TO BE THE MORE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE ALTERNATIVE. PROFIT CAN BE USED AS A MOTIVE AND A TOOL FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF MANY WONDERFUL THINGS. LIKE FIRE, IT IS A NEUTRAL FORCE THAT MUST BE USED CAREFULLY. VERY, VERY CAREFULLY.
SCROLLING DOWN RIGHT NOW MIGHT NOT BE A BAD IDEA. I AM GETTING VERY PEDANTIC. CONSIDER YOURSELF DULY WARNED.
EXPORT - A TOOL FOR WORLD CHANGE.
Export involves tearing down walls and building new bridges. The process not only produces profits, increases employment and promulgates multi-cultural education, but it causes a "humanization" of people who were once strangers...citizens of different countries, subjected to different influences. Commerce necessitates humanization through constant dialogue and interaction. We are humans, with needs, with vulnerabilities, with families -- globalized commerce is the catalyst necessary to facilitate this increasingly personalized dialogue, this creation of interpersonal bonds between new friends who can rise above propaganda and politics because they begin to see something of themselves in the people they transact their business with. The implications are profound, and to disregard the vast potentiality for this goodness is to deny the spark of divinity in each of us, and to surrender to our lesser, warlike nature. The actual benefits of synergy brought about through Internationalism far outweigh the perceived benefits of isolationism and unwieldy trade restricvtions.
IT IS STILL NOT TOO LATE TO SCROLL RIGHT DOWN TO THE LINKS SECTION. I COULD GO ON LIKE THIS FOR A LONG TIME. YOU COULD READ THROUGH ALL OF THE LINKS FIRST, AND THEN COME BACK TO THIS PART...I WOULD NEVER KNOW THE DIFFERENCE. REALLY...IT'S NOT A BIG ISSUE TO ME. BESIDES, YOUR TIME IS PRECIOUS. IN FACT, YOU NEVER KNOW JUST HOW LITTLE OR HOW MUCH OF IT YOU HAVE.
Humanity does not have to be a zero-sum game. We are born with the ability (as well as the fundamental need) to seek the companionship and comfort of others. We are not a race - we are a single, great community with the ability to change our destiny at will. Every transaction is an emotional and spiritual change, a transfer between two parties. Every one of these crucial, pivotal exchanges is a chance at achieving inter-human communion. We need, as Internationalists, to create more of these opportunites for meaningful dialogue, and to use them as a basis upon which to enrich our understanding of one another. And we must be bold in extending our hands in friendship, if we are ever to touch one another's hearts and create a productive society of abundance. Talk about the virtues and promise of Internationalism, and practice its tenets to the best of your ability. We can make a difference. We MUST make a difference.
By the way:
The above photograph was made available through a very courageous fellow Internationalist, who has suggested (rather aggressively) that I should consider starting either a Yahoo or Google Opt-In Email Group or Community so that we could more readily access eachother with our questions, ideas, and discoveries. Just as importantly, this type of Group might become a tremendous networking medium for the development of profitable business relationships. I would be honored if you would consider this idea, and let me know your thoughts. I can be accessed directly at FreeDECastle001@yahoo.com. ~~~
My instincts and experience both advise me that in the world of business, one can never have too many allies, and that one can never have enough resources at one's disposal. International commerce is more principally about people and their inter-relationships than it is about mere products. Friendship, as well as demand, is what makes commerce happen. ~~~
As is my custom, I have already overstated my case. Make the best use of the information which follows. Check for changes, additions, deletions and formatting changes frequently. Needless to say (why do people insist upon saying this if there is, in fact, actually a need to say something, anyway?), I am certain about one thing: if there are any typographical, grammatical or syntax errors in this post, I will hear about them. ~~~ Welcome, whether you are a seeker or a cynic.~~~
THE U.S. EXPORTERS' RESOURCE CENTER
Fourth Posting, Version 004.
Updated as of 3 March, 2007.
The reader is advised to do his or her own independent research before conducting business with any person or entity listed on any website listed on this post, and before relying upon, or engaging in any business decision, transaction, or course of action based upon information presented on or through any of the websites listed in this post. The author assumes no liability whatsoever for the content of any of the featured sites, and does not make any claim regarding the accuracy or adequacy of any information provided on or through any of such websites. Proceed aggressively, but judiciously. Conduct a rigorous due diligence of any party with whom you are contemplating entering into a business relationship. Enlist the aid of your bankers, credit bureaus, public records, trade and credit references, investigative agencies, and your trusted legal counsel before setting your course of action.
THE U.S. EXPORTERS' RESOURCE CENTER, International Copyright, 2007, by Douglas Castle, all rights reserved. Readers are free to forward or reproduce this post, provided that it is forwarded or reproduced in total (e.g., without addition or deletion), that attribution is given to the author by name, and that the address of this blog is posted in the form of a hyperlink either immediately before or following the content of the post, and conspicuously included as part of the post or other form of transmittal.
And now, I give you THE WORLD. Not the world exactly, but a brilliant picture of the Earth, and some great information.
CONGRATULATIONS! THIS IS WHERE THE SERIOUS BUSINESS COMMENCES, AS PROMISED. IF YOU HAVE READ THIS FAR, YOU HAVE MY COMPLIMENTS. INDEED, YOU HAVE SURVIVED THE TOUGHEST PART. BUT THINK OF WHAT A MISERY IT MUST HAVE BEEN FOR ME TO HAVE TO HAVE WRITTEN IT. HERE COMES THE EARTH! (ALBEIT NOT DRAWN PRECISELY TO SCALE) -
This post is designed to be a PERMANENT REFERENCE TOOL for all small- to middle-sized U.S.-based companies wishing to export products and services to the expanding global markets. It will be edited and expanded on a bi-weekly basis, so I would strongly advise that you add this page itself to your FAVORITES, so that you will have it at your fingertips to use as a regular day-to-day business resource. This post will be constantly updated and upgraded; in order for me to be successful in this ambitious pursuit, I will need your feedback assessing each of the sitelinks I have chosen to place on this post. If you wish, at the end of the post, there is an envelope icon which gives you the instant ability to email this posting directly to your colleagues, with your own personalized transmittal letter. I would suggest that you use this email mechanism to broaden your circle of contacts, and to show your business associates that you are thinking about them. Be at complete liberty to utilize this post as your own self-promotion and marketing tool. You may even attach a Happy New Year's message to it. Our perhaps some provocative photographs.
***Every time that this post is updated, the LATEST UPDATE will be posted at the top of the site. Please be at liberty to refer any additional links to websites or blogs which you think may be helpful for exporters, to me directly at FreeDECastle001@yahoo.com; if they are suitable, they will be added to this post upon the next updating.***
IMPORTANT NOTICE: I have not accepted (and cannot, as a matter of policy, accept) any paid advertisements or links in this posting. The author does not endorse any persons, products or services presented in this post, unless he expressly states such endorsement as such. Be advised that an endorsement does not constitute a warranty. All visitors to this site agree to indemnify and hold the author harmless for any communications, transactions or business dealings undertaken or not undertaken with any of the entities, services or persons referenced in this site. While every reasonable attempt has been made to provide complete and accurate information in this post, no guarantee of completeness or accuracy is made hereby.
ORGANIZATION: This post is divided into several sections for referencing efficiency:
1. GOVERNMENT RESOURCES FOR INFORMATION, FINANCING AND CONTACTS;
2. SOURCES OF OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS, AGENTS AND DISTRIBUTORS;
3. SOURCES OF TRADE FINANCING AND FOREIGN PAYMENTS PROCESSING;
4. SOURCES OF MAJOR INTERNATIONAL PROJECT FINANCING;
5. SOURCES OF INTERNATIONAL CREDIT (ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE) INSURANCE;
6. SOURCES OF OTHER TYPES OF INSURANCE;
7. SOURCES OF SHIPPING, FREIGHT FORWARDING AND LOGISTICS;
8. SOURCES OF EXPORT DOCUMENTS, INCOTERMS AND STANDARDIZED FORMS;
9. SOURCES OF TRADE, TARIFF AND EXPORT REGULATORY INFORMATION;
10. SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT INTERNATIONAL MARKETS AND DEMAND;
11. CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES, FOREIGN EXCHANGE ("FOREX") PROVIDERS;
12. INTERNATIONAL MARKETING SERVICES AND OTHER RESOURCES;
13. INTERNATIONAL NEWS AND INTELLIGENCE SOURCES;
14. OTHER SITES OF INTEREST;
15. FURTHER PERSONALIZED ASSISTANCE.
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GOVERNMENT RESOURCES FOR INFORMATION, FINANCING & CONTACTS --
***EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF THE U.S. (EXIMBANK) has an instructive and comprehensive website and catalogue featuring a tremendous portfolio of services, including: trade financing, credit guarantees, international introductions and advice. www.exim.gov. This site is an excellent one.
***U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) has some excellent information, programs and products for small businesses, minority-owned enterprises, disadvantaged-owned enterprises, and enterprises owned by women. Be sure to investigate their Agent/Distributor Service, Financial Guarantee Program (OPIC), SCORE Program, and numerous other export-oriented programs and services. www.sba.gov and www.opic.gov.
***THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATION (ITA) is a division of the U.S. Department Of Commerce. The ITA features a great variety of exporter assistance services, including Country Commercial Guides (for many export destinations), the U.S. And Foreign Commercial Service, and Export Assistance Centers. www.usatrade.gov and www.ita.doc.gov/uscs.
***FOREIGN EMBASSIES LOCATED IN WASHINGTON, D.C. can offer a variety of excellent import/export statistical information, as well as some high-level insight into overseas agents, distributors and prospective local co-venturers, as well as international financial , tariff and tax incentive programs. A compiled listing of these embassies and contact information can be found at www.embassy.org. This site is quite a timesaver.
***FOREIGN EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES TO THE UNITED NATIONS (UN), as well as the United States AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (USAID) are, on occasion, good sources of import/export statistical information, as well as for a variety of contacts and free insights into trading issues worldwide. www.un.org (the UN website), www.unsystem.org (a comprehensive listing of committees, divisions, affiliates and services of the UN), and www.usaid.gov.
*** STATE AND LOCAL CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE are often excellent sources of advice, financial assistance, and other exporter benefits, especially for smaller firms, while the INTERNATIONAL CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE (and the associations comprised of them) provide a wealth of both domestic and international contact and networking information. www.uschambers.com, www.worldchambers.com and www.chamberofcommerce.com are three sites which may be of interest.
SOURCES OF OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS, AGENTS AND DISTRIBUTORS --
*In addition to the information which can be gleaned from all of the above-referenced websites, there are numerous other web-based resources available to connect U.S. exporters with overseas agents, distributors, representatives and co-venturers. Some of the better sites are listed below for your use:
***WORLD TRADE INSTITUTE, at www.wti.org.
***"COUNTRY COMMERCE" (a service provided by THE ECONOMIST magazine), at www.store.eiu.com.
***THE INTERNATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS CONSORTIUM, at www.isbc.com/isbc.
***CUSTOM EXPORTER'S AGENT/DISTRIBUTOR SEARCH, at www.tradecompass.com.
***WORLD TRADE POINT FEDERATION, at www.wtpfed.org.
***INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING NETWORK ASSOCIATION, at www.icna-net.org.
***INTERNATIONAL TRADE DATA NETWORK, at www.itdn.net.
***THE ORCHARD NETWORK, at www.orchardnetwork.com.
*** www.vendorseek.com.
*** www.algomtl.com.
***INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (the ICC), at www.iccwbo.org.
***PIERS GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE SOLUTIONS, at www.piers.com. An amazingly good source of very specific intelligence, and well worth the cost.
***LINKEDIN NETWORK; to begin assembling a good network of both domestic and international contacts in a diversity of industries, you may choose to become a member of THE LINKED IN NETWORK, at www.LinkedIn.com. In fact, if you would like, I would happy to sponsor your membership directly for you, and familiarize you with the possibilities. Contact me directly at FreeDECastle001@yahoo.com. If you are interested, do visit my LinkedIn site at www.LinkedIn.com/in/douglascastle. I have benefitted by using LinkedIn.
*** Another phenomenal source of wonderful contacts, advice and technical information is at www.fita.org. Please make it an assignment to look at their site every single day. It will be a few moments well-invested.
SOURCES OF TRADE FINANCING AND FOREIGN PAYMENTS PROCESSING --
Trade Financing and Foreign Payments Processing are not easy to come by, especially if your bank is either 1) not familiar with the mechanics involved in the process, or 2) is simply unwilling to go throught the bother because your account relationship is not very valuable to them. Trade Financing and Foreign Payments Processing are very documentation-intensive, and are generally costly. If you do not have a significant profit margin in your particular product (i.e., 20% of every sale is gross profit to your company), you may lack a sufficient spread to accommodate the costs of these services. Sometimes the costs of these services can be added on to your cutomer's bill as part and parcel of getting your product delivered. Several of these services are listed below. Surprisingly, some of the very basic "small ticket" mechanisms, such as Visa, Mastercard, and even PayPal may be applicable, depending upon the price of your product, and the volume of transactions which you will need to be processed.
*** www.PayPal.com.
*** www.cybercash.com.
*** www.worldpay.com.
*** www.Ec-Finance.com.
*** www.avgtsg.com.
*** www.GlobeTrade.com.
*** www.LaurelDelaney.com.
*** www.eximbank.gov.
*** www.capstonetrade.com.
*** www.AmericanCapitalAdvance.com.
*** www.AppliedCapital.net.
*** www.PraxisCapital.com.
*** www.eaglecapitalcorp.com. ***
It might be a good idea to simply to do a Google Search for trade finance, and do a bit of exploring and inquiring. Just visit www.google.com, to initiate your search. Another search that might prove helpful would be for purchase order finance.
~VENTURE CAPITAL~VENTURE CAPITAL~VENTURE CAPITAL
*** In addition to the foregoing resources, should your firm require VENTURE CAPITAL to facilitate product development, project financing (as differentiated from typical trade financing for specific transactions), or to fuel growth, I would suggest you explore the possibilities with MR. MIKE FESLER, who is a well-networked venture capitalist, and who is affiliated with KMA CAPITAL PARTNERS, INC., and a number of other capital formation and management firms. Several of his websites include www.kmacapital.com, www.blackhawkpartners.com, and www.projectanna.org. After visiting his websites, you may wish to contact Mike via email directly at mfesler@kmacapital.com. If you do so, please be kind enough to indicate that you were referred to him through this blog. I could ultimately be rewarded for my efforts by getting a free lunch (in Economics School it was considered axiomatic that "there is no such thing as a free lunch."-- I'll take my chances). Mike is an excellent source of referrals and can offer you some direction, as well. When I last spoke with him, he didn't hesitate to tell me where to go. Then again, many people do. Seriously...he is extremely resourceful, and easy to talk with, at least for short periods of time. Mike deals in start-ups (requiring "angel" investors) all the way through third-round financings of companies ready to be acquired or to become publicly-traded.
*** In the interest of fairness, you may also choose to contact the NATIONAL VENTURE CAPITAL ASSOCIATION at www.nvca.org, or the AMERICAN VENTURE CAPITAL EXCHANGE at www.avce.com, for listings of member venture capital providers and private investors. A brief note: Know what you are asking for -- there is a vast difference between venture capital and trade financing, and the sources of each have very different judgment criteria in assessing your company's viability as a borrower or investee.
SOURCES OF MAJOR INTERNATIONAL PROJECT FINANCING --
*Sadly, the best sources of project financing are some of the international banks and asset-based commercial finance companies, oftimes operating in conjuction with governmental grants, sponsorship, or subsidies in terms of interest rates or payment guarantees. Most of the best and least expensive sources are not readily accessible to thinly-capitalized or relatively young entrepreneurial enterprises. Project financing is best done, especially for the neophyte exporter, through a joint venture comprised of of one or several well-established, experienced firms. The ideally constructed co-ventures usually incorporate some local business concern (e.g., a local business partner) to gain acceptance and show good faith. Co-Venture opportunities are often described in FINANCIAL TIMES MAGAZINE (www.ft.com), THE INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE (www.iht.com), THE WALL STREET JOURNAL (www.wsj.com) and a host of other international business magazines. Most major project funding is provided by major banks or first-tier industrial finance companies, in conjunction with certain government-sponsored payment guarantees or similar credit enhancements.
* If you have a well-crafted joint venture proposal which is ready to be presented, contact me directly, if you wish, at FreeDECastle001@yahoo.com, and I might be able assist you in locating, qualifying and negotiating terms with a viable, interested partner. I enjoy bringing good people together, and my network is fairly diverse and extensive. If I cannot help you, I may know someone who can.
SOURCES OF INTERNATIONAL CREDIT (ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE)INSURANCE --
*Generally speaking, transactions which are handled through the use of documentary letters of credit, are the easiest to deal with. Sometimes a customer will agree to a third-party escrow of payment with an attorney or escrow company. Regarding this, you may wish to visit www.Escrow.com. A more difficult situation emerges when your customer can only get a letter of credit from a small local bank (in which case you may need to get the letter of credit confirmed,e.g., guaranteed, by a major, well-established bank in the U.S. or some other G-8 nation. If you wish to sell to your customers on open account (30-, 60-, or 90-day terms), it becomes imperative, if you wish to factor their receivables to you for creating cash flow, that you obtain credit insurance to affirm the viability of your customer's willingness and ability to make complete and timely payment. The best source of companies which are providers of this type of specialized insurance are listed with either the FCIA MANAGEMENT COMPANY, with its site at www.fcia.com, or at the INTERNATIONAL CREDIT AND SURETY ASSOCIATION, with its site at www.icisa.org. Other direct providers include www.securitasglobal.com and www.atradius.us.
COFACE, a French-based international credit insurance firm, offers a great variety of insurances against trade risks, including accounts receivable insurance, political risk insurance and other types of specialized insurance written to cover virtually any type of transnational business exposure which could prove potentially problematic to an exporter. They also feature a frequently-updated list of rankings of countries in terms of relative political risk. view their website either at www.coface.com, or at www.coface-usa.com.
SOURCES OF OTHER TYPES OF INSURANCE --
Some of the other types of insurance which your business may require include Directors & Officers Liability Insurance, Errors and Omissions Insurance, Shipping Insurance, and various insurances in the event that a shipment is held up, postponing your delivery of a product in accordance with your agreement with your customer (e.g, forcing you into a position of default). There is political risk insurance (usually for longer-term major capital projects in unstable countries), and business interruption insurance. While the insurance and credit agencies and providers specified above (as well as EXIM and the SBA) can sometimes point you in the right direction to find a market to underwrite these specialized types of insurance, you may also simply contact Mr. ALEXANDER CONTI, a Financial Representative and a vigorous industry networker for the NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL FINANCIAL NETWORK. Mr. Conti, who is a personal acquaintance, can be reached directly with your inquiries (please do be certain to mention that you were referred through this blog) at alex.conti@nmfn.com. The associated corporate website for more product-related information is at www.nmfn.com/alexconti. If he cannot help you directly, he may well be able to set you off in the best direction.
SOURCES OF SHIPPING, FREIGHT FORWARDING AND LOGISTICS --
*As an exporter, you will be heavily reliant upon freight forwarders for delivery and storage of your products, both domestically and internationally, via land, sea or air. You will find them to be a very good source of informatiuon regarding the rules, regulations and documentation associated with export transactions. They can be very powerful allies, as well as a terrific source of information. They can do a tremendous amount of work for you, to allow you to focus more on production and sales than on packaging, shipping and logistics. For your information, THE U.S. FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION (www.fmc.gov) licenses freight carriers and forwarders. Some viable sources which you may use to identify freight forwarders (usually through different trade organizations and industry organizations) are listed below for your use:
*** www.freightnet.com.
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*** www.forwarders.com.
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*** www.tbc-world.com.
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*** www.fiata.com.
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*** www.logisticssolutionsgroup.com.
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*** www.unisys.com.
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*** www.yourdhl.com.
SOURCES OF EXPORT DOCUMENTS, INCOTERMS AND STANDARDIZED FORMS --
The best sources of export documents, incoterm descriptions and standardized forms for all of your export-related business needs can be found at the following sites:
*** www.unzco.com.
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*** www.iccbooksusa.com.
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*** www.cch.com.
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You might find it additionally useful to simply conduct a Google search for "export documents" or "international legal documents", and find some other interesting sources. Simply visit www.google.com, and conduct your search. If you find some truly splendid sites, please let me know, so that I can post them up here, and get credit for work which I did not actually do.
SOURCES OF TRADE, TARIFF AND EXPORT REGULATORY INFORMATION --
*The best sources of trade, tariff and export regulatory information are, logically enough, provided by the various agencies of the United States Government. Several of the most significant ones are listed below for your convenient reference. Bear in mind that the regulatory environment, both domestically and internationally, is ever-changing, and that its complexities are best navigated with the help of your chosen freight forwarder, certified public accountant and your attorney. Regarding this last, if you are , as I am, a shameless, penny-pinching tightwad, it is a comfort to know that the ELAN PROGRAM (which is sponsored by the SBA) will enable you to have a free conversation (or two) with an "expert" (in accordance with the Government's standards, of course) trade attorney. You can access the ELAN program at www.fita.org/elan. The other sources:
*** THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, at www.state.gov.
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*** THE U.S. CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT, at www.customs.ustreas.gov.
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*** THE U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, at www.ustreas.gov.
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*** THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (through its EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS Division and its BUREAU OF INDUSTRY AND SECURITY), at www.doc.gov is a treasure trove of regulatory information, but it is best navigated with the assistance of a knowledgeable trade attorney.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT INTERNATIONAL MARKETS AND DEMAND --
>>>It would be prudent to review the website sources cited in the previous Sections, as many of them will also provide you with a wealth of information about the net import and net export positions(as well as other useful data) of numerous countries with respect to specific products and goods. You might also wish to purchase a good, current international almanac to get the communication coordinates for foreign embassies and consulates. The following are also good sources of information on the status of trade relationships between countries and various trading-partnered groups of countries:
***THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS (CFR), at www.cfr.org.
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*** WORLDBANK, at www.worldbank.org.
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*** THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO), at www.wto.org.
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*** THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF), at www.imf.org.
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*** THE UNITED NATIONS, at www.un.org. It might prove worthwhile to procure a list of NGOs (NON-GOVERMENT ORGANIZATIONS/ OBSERVERS) with a presence at the UN. Many of these groups have tremendous resources as well as interesting ideologies regarding international commerce. Some sources of information on NGOs can be found at the following websites: www.globalpolicy.org/ngos, www.ngos.net, www.adb.org/NGOS, and www.gdrc.org/ngo.
*NGOs are playing an increasingly powerful role in lobbying for U.N. policy changes, and are becoming an increasingly well-capitalized and vociferous force in geopolitical economics. It has been said that the NGOs, acting in affiliation, constitute the beginnings of an alternative U.N., and perhaps a form of parallel government. Popular conspiracy-theorist and best-selling fiction author Dan Brown may well write a bestseller about this.
*** FUTURISTS! An excellent publication is THE TREND LETTER. It is a cutting-edge source of information about rapidly-changing technologies, consumerism patterns, international trade trends and important demographic data. The website for this publication can be found at www.briefings.com. Their economic forecasts are extraordinarily insightful.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE (FOREX) PROVIDERS --
*Should you choose to permit your customers to pay for their purchases in their local or domestic currencies instead of U.S. Dollars, transactions may become a bit tricky. This is especially true in situations where you may be dealing in a volatile (rapidly fluctuating) currency, or in a situation where a series of payments are to be made by your customer over time, which further increases your exposure to adverse foreign exchange risk. Having mentioned this, offering prospective customers the opportunity to pay in their own domestic currencies can often prove to be the reason that they will choose your company over a less accommodating competitor in your industry. The following websites relate to firms which either handle foreign exchange transactions or can provide hedging arrangements against declines in the relative value of your customer's local currency against the currency with which you pay your suppliers and other expenses. While fortunes are made (and lost) in FOREX trading, I am not a proponent of that activity here. The reason to use the services offered by those firms listed is not for speculation; quite the opposite, it is for ensuring stability in your international commodities-based transactions.
* To get some initial idea of the relative exchange rates between the various world currencies, you might visit www.ny.frb.org (THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK) or www.xe.com/ict, which is a very popular site. Bear in mind that quoted rates usually apply to large blocks of currency being traded, and do not account for the costs of actually transacting the exchange (e.g., brokerage commissions, etc.). Be very conservative in your pricing, and always allow some extra margin in your firm's favor to permit for the transactions costs commonly associated with smaller-sized transactions being undertaken for small- to middle-market companies.
*** www.oanda.com.
*** www.nyforeignexchange.com.
*** www.currencysource.com.
*** www.cantonfx.com.
*** www.cambridgefx.com.
*** www.radaforex.com.
*** www.imex-fx.com.
*** www.customhouse.com.
*** www.ruesch.com.
*** www.saxobank.com.
*** www.sgm-fx.com.
*** www.wellsfargo.com/biz.
*** www.exchange-currency.co.uk.
*** www.atradius.com.
*** www.xe.com.
NOTE: ~You may find the foreign-based currency exchange firms to be a bit more sophisticated, creative, and well-mannered than the U.S.-based firms. Then again, you might find them so incredibly snobbish and full of themselves that they won't even entertain a serious conversation with you. In these latter cases, saying things like "oh, quite brilliant, indeed", or "traffic around Trafalgar has become preposterous", or " I don't much care for Chaucer" might prove to be rapport-engendering. If you have a propensity to use profanity (as I do, especially when trying to do household repairs), say things like, "my word, but that's bloody awful." Whatever you do, try to remember that you are acting as this country's Goodwill Ambassador (which is not a paying position), and make a good impression. Nowadays, it's become increasingly difficult to be an American and be loved by anyone outside of the immediate confines of the United States. Please do all that you can to change this misperception, as I might want to travel abroad in the future.
INTERNATIONAL MARKETING SERVICES AND OTHER RESOURCES --
* Finding vendors and customers utilizing the Internet provides the instant gratification of quantity, with some serious issues regarding quality. Nonetheless, the possibilities abound for finding suppliers, customers, agents, distributors, co-venturers and single-time transactions by simply using investing some time daily on your computer. Occasionally, you may also glean some valuable ideas about where markets are headed, or certain tendencies, politically or economically, which may influence your business decisionmaking. What follows is a cornucopia of resources worth taking a look at:
***DEVELOPMENT GATEWAY, at http://topics.developmentgateway.org/trade.
***TRADEWATCH, at http://ejad.org.pk/tradewatch-10.htm.
***WORLDTRADE INTERACTIVE NEWSLETTER, at www.strtrade.com/wti.aspx, and at www.strtrade.com/advisories.aspx.
***ECONOMICS FOR DEMOCRATIC & OPEN SOCIETIES PROJECT, at www.thomaspalley.com. Whether or not you agree with his observations and conclusions, Mr. Palley is a very good writer.
*** www.exim.gov/lists/subscribe.cfm.
*** www.sawtee.org.
*** www.alibaba.com. (in concert with its name, this site is very like an online "flea market" exchange for buyers and sellers internationally).
*** www.cuts-international.org.
*** www.bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/bisnis.cfm. (fascinating information about the former "Eastern Bloc" -stan countries).
*** http://borderbuster.blogspot.com. (a very simple, practical, and useful site by Laurel Delaney).
*** http://firstgovsearch/search. (simply get onto this site, and follow the directions to conduct a topical search on INTERNATIONAL TRADE)
*** http://sbusa.blogspot.com.
*** www.vendorseek.com.
~MALAYSIA~MALAYSIA~MALAYSIA~
Malaysia is an amazing economic, social, cultural, and political entity unto itself. Although not as well-known or as appreciated as should be the case in the West, it is an underutilized and rapidly growing venue for importing, exporting, outsourcing and offshoring. MR. FRED PLIMLEY, who can be reached via direct email at f.plimley@dkmalaysia.com, is an expert facilitator at developing projects and relationships between Malaysian entities and U.S. - based organizations. He is a veteran of international business, and has access to the necessary officials and dignitaries to assist you in transacting profitable business, without all of the trial-and-error effort so often associated with trade attempts by neophytes. He is the President of DK Malaysia Development, LLC, and is Moderator of LinkedInMalaysia. His websites are excellently formatted, easily navigable, and very informative: www.dkmalaysia.com, www.linkedinmalaysia.com, www.dkinternet.com, and www.linksv.com/companySummarySp.aspx?co_idURL=34971, which last one you should commit to memory. On a serious note, all of MR. PLIMLEY's sites are worth visiting, and should you have reason to speak with him, please mention that you were referred to him through this blog. He truly is a gateway to business with and through Malaysia.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS AND INTELLIGENCE SOURCES --
*I thought that it would be a good idea to break the global economy up into general regions, so that you, Gentle Reader, could quickly click onto each of these sites and get a good view of the current status of the worlds of trade, business and capital markets with a minimum of time and effort invested. However, in order to make this protocol even more exciting (because intelligent persons appreciate a challenge!), I have not put these general regions in any type of alphabetical or other logical order. Please feel fully at liberty to alphabetize them, or index them by some demographic statistic that you find especially significant yourself if you wish...perhaps on a rainy afternoon, or when you have run out of crossword puzzles, Sudoku, or are not on speaking terms with your significant other. Have fun visiting these sites, and keep your mind open to the possibilities. Also, please let me know what you think of the lavender lettering. Your opinion is dreadfully important to me, and despite my coveted alpha-male status and blustery persona, I am very sensitive.
MALAYSIA: (please see Previous Section regarding Mr. Fred Plimley and his capabilities).
CANADA: www.canadianbusiness.com, and www.cbc.ca/news.
ASIA: www.asia.news.yahoo.com/business, and www.xpresspress.com/news/asianews.html.
PACIFIC BASIN/ PACIFIC RIM: www.asia-pacific.com, www.pacificrimalliance.net, www.sacbee.com/content/news, www.pbin.nbii.gov/news/newssearch.asp.
EUROPE (EU): www.eubusiness.com, and www.hri.org/news/europe/ebn.
AFRICA: www.allafrica.com/business, and www.africaguide.com/news.htm.
AUSTRALIA: www.abc.net.au/news and www.news.com.au.
LATIN AMERICA: www.bnamericas.com, www.lanic.utexas.edu/la/region/business, and www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/international/latin_america.
CARIBBEAN: www.caribbeannewspapers.com and www.caribbeannetnews.com/business/business.htm.
MICRONESIA: www.topix.net/world/micronesia, and www.allyoucanread.com/micronesia_news.asp.
MIDDLE EAST: www.middleeastnews.com/business. and www.metimescom.
CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: www.translationcentraleurope.com/news.html, www.centraleurope.com, and www.topix.net/com/cetv.
Some very good additional world news sources to scan daily are listed below. I look at them in the morning over coffee to gain a decent worldview within less than one half-hour's time. Not only will you gain a quick perspective on what is occurring in the dynamic world of international business, but you'll sound very well-informed when conversing with colleagues and prospective clients.
CNBC: www.cnbc.com
CNN: www.cnn.com
MSNBC: www.msnbc.com
BARRON'S: www.barrons.com
FINANCIAL TIMES: www.ft.com
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE: www.iht.com
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS: www.rand.org/research_areas/international_affairs
EUROMONEY: www.euromoney.com
THE ECONOMIST: www.economist.com
THE BANKER: www.thebanker.com
THE THIRD WORLD NETWORK: www.twnside.org.sg
OTHER SITES OF INTEREST --
* There are a number of other websites that are dear to my heart, which I would recommend your looking at:
*** www.Execsolution.com. MS. MARGARET OREM, who runs this private management recruitment firm (she has referred to herself as a "headhunter", but in a "friendly" way), is a superbly resourceful networker who has access to a vast pool of both prospective deals (e.g., projects in need of inancing, or goods looking for purchasers) and facilitators (e.g., those parties involved in purchasing, financing or leasing). Although her organization is New York-based, she is networked worldwide. You may access MARGARET via email at margaret.orem@execsolution.com. Of course, you will do the proper and socially appropriate thing, and reference this Post when you communicate with her. I am trusting you.
*** www.mojavejet.com. If you have a prospective overseas purchaser of pre-owned used commercial aircraft, cargo planes, or engines, Mojave Jet Group, L.L.C. can be your best, most aggressive resource for 1) sourcing (e.g., finding the right aircraft), and 2) financing the purchase or lease for your customer. Speak with either MR. ERIC HAYMES or MR. BILL DELANEY, both of whom are great guys, and neither of whom has forced me, against my will, to say that.
*** PROVISORS - THE PROFESSIONALS NETWORK GROUP, at www.provisors.com/needswants/ndwDetail.asp? The site is interesting, the concept reasonably sound, and active, constant networking is an extremely important component to your ultimate success in any business endeavor. I must admit, that I always find it curiously funny when a website address ends in an "asp". This is probably attributable to my lack of computer coding and programming savvy.
*** GURU - at www.guru.com has become an increasingly popular resource for locating freelance talent, especially in the fields of web design, webmastering, graphic arts, writing and other types of communications and presentation-related work.
*** BLOOM REAL ESTATE GROUP, L.L.C. - at www.bloomreg.com. You might not know this, but Mr. Scott Bloom, President and Managing Member of the eponymous BLOOM REAL ESTATE GROUP, was able to find more than THREE errors (spelling and grammatical!) in the text of this post. Not very much gets by Scott. I strongly advise that you visit his website -- not only to find out about what his firm does (they are quite reputable, and Scott is a terrific guy), but to look for typographical and grammatical errors. In the event that you find any, please contact him directly at sbloom@bloomreg.com... better, still...contact me at FreeDECastle001@yahoo.com so that I can irritate him myself.
*** www.tradeforum.org
*** U.S. BUREAU OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS - at www.bea.gov
*** http://translationebuzz.blogspot.com
*** http://marketingadvertisinghub.blogspot.com
*** www.import-export-guide.com/trade
*** Joanne Morano (JMorano@ThomasNet.com) has a wonderful information subscriber service called INBOUND LOGISTICS, which is a Thomas Publishing product. Visit their website at www.inboundlogistics.com/index.shtml, and email Ms. Morano directly for further information about INBOUND LOGISTICS, or about any other THOMAS products and publications (there are many of them, some of which I have used myself). She is quite knowledgeable, and very friendly. She is also the type of person who remembers birthdays and sends cards to clients (a rare and wonderful thing, especially in these troubled times).
TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES --
COMMUNICAID LANGUAGE SOLUTIONS, www.communicaidinc.com, is an international agency which provides superb service, especially in dealing with highly-technical applications. They have a variety of innovative ambassadorial services, as well. Speak with Mr. Kip Madden.
WEB DESIGN, PROGRAMMING AND SEO (SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION) --
Speak with Mr. Michael Cordova, of 21st CENTURY TECHNOLOGIES, INC., www.21stsoft.com, or www.mercuryleads.com, to set up your firm's "virtual export division" on the web, and have it ranked at the top of the search engines to maximize site visits and potential sales.
FURTHER PERSONALIZED ASSISTANCE --
* If you have any questions or ideas about exporting, international co-venturing, structuring transactions or obtaining financing, I would be delighted to correspond with you in confidence. If I cannot personally or professionally provide you with what you need, I would be more than pleased to facilitate an introduction to the right party on your behalf. I do not mind being used as a "sounding board". I do a great deal of work in crafting customized types of international trade documents for exports who wish to contract with international agents, distributors, customers and financial institutions.
* IF YOU HAVE A SINCERE INTEREST IN CREATING A "VIRTUAL EXPORT DEPARTMENT" AS AN ADJUNCT TO YOUR DOMESTIC SALES MACHINE, I HAVE ACCESS TO SOME EXCELLENT WEB DESIGNERS, PROGRAMMERS, ADVERTISING PROS, FULFILLMENT SERVICES AND OUTSOURCED ADMINISTRATIVE HELP. EMAIL ME DIRECTLY at FreeDECastle001@yahoo.com.
As always, thank you for your attention and interest.
Faithfully,
Douglas Castle,
INTERNATIONALIST
P.S. If you would like to send one or more copies of this post to friends or colleagues, just click on the little envelope icon at the very end of this post (you'll find it on the right-hand side, just below the line), add your personalized message, and press "send".
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