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Hello International Traders! The United States is the largest importer and exporter in the
world, and I have sites in this issue to help you, no matter what
aspect of U.S. trade you're interested in. Want to buy Chinese
products at volume discount prices even though you're only buying
small lots? I have a site where you can do that. If you're
worried about the chance of a bird flu pandemic, I have a site
where you can get the latest news. Finally, I have a site where
you can find the cheapest air fares departing from any city in
the world -- instantly! And don't forget -- if you'd like more information about
international trade, go to FITA's Really Useful Links (
http://fita.org/webindex/index.html ), which has a link library
of more than 8,000 sites related to international trade.
| UNITED STATES -- OUR FEATURED COUNTRY
In 123 issues of Really Useful Sites for International Trade I
profiled scores of trade-oriented Web sites for countries and
even corporations. It's about time I took a look at the U.S.,
because trade and the U.S. are practically synonymous. The U.S.
is the world's largest importer and exporter by far, with free
access to its markets, a solid economy, and thriving industries.
If you want to research the U.S. as a market, a very good site to
start with is the Australian Trade Commission's U.S. market
profile (
http://www.austrade.gov.au/australia/layout/0,,0_S2-1_CLNTXID0019
-2_-3_PWB16193-4_-5_-6_-7_,00.html ). This site has a wealth of
information, including: an overview of the U.S. political and
economic scene; tips on business etiquette; tariff and trade
regulations; practical advice on documentation, taxation,
finance, etc.; profiles of scores of U.S. industries; links to
useful Web sites; and more.
Another good resource is the United States Mini Portal (
http://fita.org/countries/usportal.html), one of the new features at
the FITA site. The Mini Portal is a great place to start your
research. There is an overview of the country, with facts about
the language, currency, climate, etc., plus more specific
information about the economy, U.S. markets, taxes, labor market
indicators, tips on doing business, and a search engine to help
you find market research on the Internet. There's also a news
feed with the latest U.S. news.
Click on "Useful Links" and you'll find a variety of sources for
market research, trade leads, business directories, logistics,
government contacts, travel, financing, and lots more. Watch for
an update in January 2006!
The U.S. Mini Portal is one of many research gateways at the
newly redesigned FITA site. To find Mini Portals for other
regions or countries, just click on "Country Profiles" from
within a Mini Portal, or at the FITA home page (
http://www.fita.org/). FITA's Global Trade Book Store has many excellent books about doing
business in the US. Check out Culture Shock! USA: Survive and Succeed in USA, Importing Into the United States: A Guide for Commercial Importers and
A Basic Guide To Importing.
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GLOBALSOURCESDIRECT.COM
Here's a site that just might get me started as an importer.
GlobalSourcesDirect.com (
http://www.globalsourcesdirect.com ) is a new
service that allows anyone to buy small lots of Chinese-
manufactured products at wholesale prices. The site lists such
items as iPod accessories, digital camcorders, PC accessories,
beauty care products, sporting goods, fashion accessories, and
more. The service is new, and the selection is limited so far,
but the site promises to add more items regularly. This could be
a great opportunity for small and medium sized importers to get
products at the kind of low prices that only large buyers who
command volume discounts have been able to get.
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MEDJET ASSISTANCE: PEACE
OF MIND WHEN TRAVELERS NEED IT MOST
http://www.fita.org/travel/medjetdescript.htm
A medical doctor from West Virginia was on vacation with his wife in Rome recently
when they had an extreme medical emergency. As MEDJET Assistance members, they
made a collect call to the 24 hour hotline and received quick assistance.
They wrote, "My wife and I wish to express our deep appreciation for
your rapid and professional response to our medical emergency in Rome. We were
amazed at how you took care of the most minute detail and made it possible for
us to return to medical care in the States as quickly as possible. When we tell
people about our experience and how expertly you handled our return to the United
States they cannot believe that this could be done so expertly and efficiently."
MEDJET Assistance is an annual membership program for U.S-based travelers providing
air medical transportation to its members should they become hospitalized due
to accident or illness virtually anywhere in the world. The program transports
members, free of charge, to the hospital of their choice, most often in medically
equipped and staffed jets. Click on www.fita.org/travel/medjetdescript.htm
to become a MEDJET Assistance member now at reduced FITA rates.
MEDJET Assistance publishes a free brochure, "A Guide To Traveling Smart".
Contact MEDJET Assistance directly at (800) 963-3538
to order it. Make sure to mention FITA to get the FITA discount if you
enroll. |
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CDC BIRD FLU PAGE
One news story that I'm monitoring closely is the possible
outbreak of bird flu in humans. It's of worldwide concern, since
there is no vaccine, and researchers have not yet identified an
effective medication to treat it. A good site for keeping up to
date with the situation is the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention's Bird Flu page (
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/ ). Here you'll find key
facts, the latest news, frequently asked questions, information
for travelers and U.S. citizens living abroad, articles from
medical journals, and links to more information.
KAYAK BUZZ
When I find a Web site that saves me time and money it
automatically becomes one of my favorites. Kayak Buzz (
http://www.kayak.com/h/buzz/ ) is at the top of my list these
days, because it's a fast, easy way to find cheap airfares. You
just type in the name of any aiport in the world (you don't need
the airport code -- the city will do) click on "Get the Buzz" and
Kayak Buzz will give you 25 of the best fares for departures from
that city. It has an interactive map showing the routes, and you
can click on a destination to get pricing information. Kayak Buzz
is just one feature of the Kayak.com ( http://www.kayak.com/ )
site, where you can search for cheap airfares, hotels, car
rentals, and travel deals.
FITA CAREER HEADQUARTERS - FEATURED JOB - INTERNATIONAL SALES
In the new FITA Career Headquarters job seekers can now apply for jobs online and post their resume--free of charge--in an exclusive database that will be searched by hundreds of industry employers seeking employees with international degrees and/or related work experience. A featured job this week is
for International Sales for Latin America and Asia/Pacific for Dorian Drake International, Inc., an international trading company located in White Plains, NY. Click here to browse more than 700 other positions!
And click here if you are an employer looking for uniquely qualified internationally-skilled staff.
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