Summer 2011 News from the World Trade Center of Central PA

Senate leaders announced last week that they agreed on a plan for moving forward various pieces of trade-related legislation once they return from their August recess.

While the most notable part of trade legislation relates to acting on the 3 pending trade agreements, there has also been discussion about an increase in the Mechandise Processing Fees (MPF).

There are slight differences between the Senate and House versions, but both raise the MPF percentage from 0.21% to 0.34% (the difference is at the fourth digit). While the max. cap on MPF ($485 per entry) will remain, such an increase could nevertheless have an impact on importers. Stay tuned!

WTC Passports Still Available

If you have not yet received your very own WTC Passport, it is not too late to join in the fun.

You can still participate in our year long project and earn "stamps" for your passport to win prizes during our December 1 Birthday Bash.

Quick Links

US Department of Commerce

Food Export Northeast

World Trade Centers Association

Follow WTC on Twitter

Follow WTC on Linked-In

View the WTC Blog

Summer Newsletter

Announcing the WTC Fall Seminar Schedule

Variety of Programs Offer Something of Interest to Everyone

Enjoy the last month of summer by joining us for two fun, educational programs: learn about the culture of food in India at our August 11 "Enjoy the World" dining series at the Passage to India Restaurant; and join us for the August 17 "Philadelphia Port Tour", a bus trip to the Philadelphia seaport and the UPS hub at the Philadelphia International Airport. Only a few spots are still available, call us for reservations at 717-843-1090.

Our annual "Bringing the World to YOU!" event is scheduled for September 14. This is your chance to meet fact-to-face with 20 of the Pennsylvania overseas trade representatives and discuss opportunities for your company's business expansion into foreign markets.

October is a busy month with a 2-day "Export Controls" workshop, held in conjunction with the Bureau of Industry and Security, followed by a full day workshop on ITAR - the International Trade in Arms Regulations. Another WTC member tour is scheduled for October 27 at PoolPak International in York.

November starts off with a full day seminar on completing the NAFTA Certificate of Origin - an important program if you consider that an estimated 50% of all NAFTA certificates are not completed correctly!

Additional details are available on our website

High School Internship Experience

Melissa and Yatzi in the WTC Office

Throughout May and June, Yatzi Garcia completed her senior project internship with the World Trade Center of Central PA. Yatzi graduated from York Country Day School in June of this year, and in the fall will be pursuing a degree in international business at Millersville University. Her career interests are in governmental foreign affairs and she is fluent in three languages. During her time at the World Trade Center, Yatzi "shadowed" WTC's trade specialist Melissa Stiles. Yatzi updated member records, compiled cultural packets for companies traveling abroad, and performed market entry research. She also participated in on-site company visits and learned about social media applications in a business setting.

WTC Members Participate in White House

Business Council Roundtable

On June 29, a White House Business Council Roundtable discussion was held in Harrisburg, at the PA Chamber of Business and Industry offices. WTC member Robert Wilson, President of York Wire and Cable, helped to coordinate this event, in conjunction with the PA Chamber of Business and Industry, PA DCED, and the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration.

PA Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley welcomed Peter Perez, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Secretary Perez talked about President Obama's Export Initiative and Free Trade Initiatives. The presentation was followed by a Q&A session related to challenges faced by the participating companies in regard to manufacturing and international trade. A relatively intimate group of local companies, many of them WTC members, were able to provide direct feedback during this White House Roundtable discussion. The findings, message, and discussion topics were delivered directly to the White House by Secretary Perez following the event.

Members in the News

York Saw & Knife Goes Global at ProPak Asia 2011

From its humble beginnings as a lumber industry saw maker, York Saw & Knife has spent a century building a strong reputation as one of the top sources for high-precision, high-quality industrial blades for applications as diverse as form fill seal and food processing. The company recently exhibited at the ProPak Asia trade show, held in Bangkok, Thailand, solidifying its foothold in the global packaging and processing components market.

Harrisburg's I-House Opens International Institute for Exchange Programs

The International Institute for Exchange Programs (I-2) provides international students exchange program opportunities to visit the greater Harrisburg region and experience the American people and culture firsthand. I-2 works directly with regional employers to match international exchange students with local jobs and internships under the U.S. State Department Summer/Work and Travel J-1 Visa program, along with other exchange type visa programs. I-2 gives international students the opportunity to work and live in the Harrisburg region and to experience the culture and the people of our region through work and travel exchange programs. I-2 is a sister company of Harrisburg's International House.

WTC Member Service: Social Media Intro

social media

Looking for some guidance or ideas on how to expand your social media reach to a global audience? More and more of our members are becoming active on social media sites with an increasing interest in engaging a global audience. For WTC members who are completely new to this concept, we have been offering a customized overview and one-on-one consulting as a WTC member benefit.

By the way, "Use of Social Media in Korea and Japan" is the topic of our Sept. 14 Luncheon keynote presentation.

Visit our website for more details.

Resource for Eastern Europe and Russia

Services Still Available Despite State Budget Cuts

Due to the current budget restraints, the State's Center for Trade Development has made the difficult decision not to renew their contract with EasyLink Business Services - also known as the PA trade office in the Czech Republic. However, EasyLink Business Services has been a successful trade consulting firm for many years and will continue to offer their expertise to PA firms at significantly reduced service fees to help them succeed in this dynamic part of Europe.

EasyLink covers 12 markets in Eastern Europe: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia. In all of them, the company provides the same quality, methodology and reporting standards/templates that you have enjoyed receiving from them to date. EasyLink's services include distributor searches, market-entry recommendations, competitive and market intelligence as well as in-country support when traveling. Feel free to contact Filip Korinek directly at filip.korinek@easylink-cee.eu.

Upcoming Partner Events

Food Export Northeast Offers "101" Seminar

Join Food Export-Northeast and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture as Dennis Lynch, Food Export's Helpline Counselor, discusses the best way to get started or improve your skills in the food and agricultural export market. This seminar will keep you up to date on important changes in the food export market from the last year. The event will be held in King of Prussia on August 11, from 8:00 am - 12:30 pm. For more information, click here.

"How to Export" Seminar Offered by Kutztown SBDC

Attend this free morning workshop on August 24 at the Harrisburg Chamber offices to network and get answers to your questions on how to launch or expand exports. The session will feature presentations by commercial bankers and perspectives from companies who are currently exporting. The event is co-hosted by the International Committee of CREDC and the WTC of Central PA. For more details and to register, please visit the SBDC website.

Baltimore WTC Invites You to Attend Embassy Night

Our sister organization, the Baltimore World Trade Center, invites you to join them for their Embassy Night: Showcasing Global Markets & Business Success on September 20, 2011. The event is being held for the first time in Washington D.C. at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center and will bring together the region's key decision makers and the Diplomatic community. Mid-Atlantic companies will have unparalleled networking opportunities to connect with the region's key decision makers, high level executives, Ambassadors and senior Embassy representatives. Member registration rates available to WTC of Central PA members. More information is available here.

PA Booth at MEDICA

November 16-19, 2011

PA's Center for Trade Development is again offering a low-cost, turnkey package for PA companies to exhibit in the "Pennsylvania" booth at MEDICA, the world's largest trade show for the medical industry. The PA Booth will be in the electro-medical area of the fairgrounds, in the same hall as the U.S. Pavilion. Products on display in this area will include medical devices and equipment, commodities and consumables and medical technologies. Cost for the turnkey package is $2,800 per panel. Please click here for more details and registration information.

Space Available at Arab Health

January 23 - 26, 2012

PA's Center for Trade Development will participate in the Arab Health Exhibition and Congress, the largest healthcare exhibition in the Middle East, and second largest in the world. Established 37 years ago, it provides a platform for the world's leading manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors to meet the medical and scientific community in the Middle East and beyond. Cost for participation is $2700 and the deadline to reserve space in the PA booth is October 21, 2011. Additional information is available here.

The World Trade Center of Central Pennsylvania is a licensed member of the World Trade Centers Association and one of more than 320 World Trade Centers located in 96 countries, connecting local companies with global opportunities. We promote global trade, deliver relevant educational programs, up-to-date trade information, practical trade assistance, and research & referral services for our members and clients to help them compete and prosper in a global economy.