| Read previous issues online |
 |
REALLY USEFUL RESOURCES
for international trade professionals |
| www.fita.org |
|
|
|
| Featured: |
 |
|
|
|
|
 OUR FEATURED COUNTRY
|
|
|
South Africa
Agoa info
South Africa has become the economic giant of Africa, its GDP accounting for about 40% of the total GDP of Africa. In the service sector, 75% of the largest companies in Africa are South African. All sectors of the South African economy are open to foreign investors. No government approval is required and there are virtually no restrictions on the form or extent of the investment.
|
Johannesburg, economic capital |
|
|
Among the sectors with high growth potential are business process outsourcing (such as call centers), as well as the telecommunications and transportation sectors, both of which are being privatized.
According to the latest data published on the website of AGOA - (African Growth and Opportunity Act) covering the first 9 months of 2011, exports from South Africa to the United States increased 16% over the same period of 2010, to nearly $7 billion. A total of $2.7 billion worth of goods therefore entered the U.S. market without any customs fees under the US-African Growth and Opportunity Act. This agreement allows nearly 6500 products, including clothing, cars, shoes and fruits, from 38 African countries to enter the U.S. duty free.
Click here to view the list of member countries of the AGOA.
For more information on trade relations between the United States and South Africa
• 2011: US trade in goods with South Africa on the Census Bureau's Website
• 2011: US-South Africa Trade Relations on the Office of the United States Trade Representative's Website
• US-South Africa relations on the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation's Website
To assist you in your business in South Africa:
• US South Africa Business Council
• The American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa
• The Embassy of the United States in South Africa
• The SAABC-South African Association of Business Communities
• Doing business in South Africa - (Pocket Guide 2010/2011) on the South African Department of Communication and Information System's Website
For information about other countries:
• Find reports and resources for 185 countries, FITA Country Miniportals
• The mini portals of GlobalTrade.net
| Feature |
|
December Issue Out Now
As the year draws to a close, we review 2011, including, among others, China’s 12th five-year plan.
2012 is a make or break year for the carbon credit market we look at carbon fund structuring, challenges, pitfalls, carbon credit funds and carbon investment vehicles.
|
 |
We show why Jersey remains an attractive domicile for fund managers and boutique providers of international financial services.
Despite a tough few years, New Zealand is seizing its potential, and we show you how and why.
Finally, we look at Chile’s business investment opportunities, give you ten reasons to invest and demonstrate why it’s a great place for direct investment, as long as you do your homework.
Looking for a new approach for the year ahead? Try ‘lean thinking’ a specific set of interlocking practices, tools and behaviours for solving business problems and creating value for customers. We show you how and why it can help.
Our luxury series reviews luxury hotels and resorts worldwide, and Trip Advisor provide their ultimate top-10 something to think about for the inevitable trying year ahead.
Finally, we would like to wish you all a happy Christmas and New Year from all the team at GBM!
|
|
|
|
 REALLY USEFUL SITES
|
Exporting Agricultural Products
www.fas.usda.gov
10% of total US exports are agricultural products. If you need help, leads and market research to export these products take a look at several government services and agencies that support farmers, food producers and other agricultural exporters. If you are a food exporter make sure to use their services, most of which are free!
The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides statistics, market information and sales support to U.S. agricultural exporters. In addition to its Washington staff it has a global network of 98 offices in 75 countries covering 156 countries. These offices are staffed by agricultural attachés and locally hired staff that are the eyes, ears, and voice for U.S. agriculture around the world. FAS staff identify problems, provide practical solutions and work to advance opportunities for U.S. agriculture around the globe.
In addition to the FAS, there are several multistate agencies that provide local services to agricultural exporters. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast share a website that offers exporting advice, leads (only for registered users), news, webinars and many more resources for food exporters in the US Northeast and Midwest regions. Similar organizations provide these services in the southern US and the western US. |
Calculating Freight Rates
www.searates.com
Figuring out how much it will cost to ship a container or even a smaller shipment is not a straightforward process. This is because of a complicated system of setting freight rates. Each carrier has its own rate tables, but they make lower-cost agreements with certain freight forwarders, NVOCCs (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier) and other agents. For many years several internet companies have tried to aggregate rates from various carriers, NVOCCs and freight forwarders. It has been difficult since these providers tend to be secretive about their rates. However, as internet use is now universal in the freight business and as social media has increased exchange of information, a few websites offer some guidance for calculating freight costs. SeaRates.com claims to have access to hundreds of rates from hundreds of carriers and service providers. You have to register information about your shipment and you will then have logistics providers bid on your request. It takes a few days but it can result in good rates and substantial savings. Other similar websites include Freightbook and The Freight Rate Co. And keep an eye on Twitter for people who report rates they have found.
|
|
|
|
EVENTS AND WEBINARS
|
Assisted by:
The U.S. Commercial Service |
|
SOME UPCOMING WEBINARS
Stay up to date and informed with U.S. Commercial Service webinars!
• Introduction to Exporting - Greensboro, NC, United States - 01/26/2012
• Design & Construction Opportunities in Kazakhstan - Los Angeles, CA, United States - 01/30/2012
• Business Opportunities in Indonesia - Philadelphia, PA, United States - 02/09/2012
SOME UPCOMING COMMERCIAL SERVICE EVENTS
Get ready for next year's Tradeshows! Here is a list running in April and May 2012
• Franchising Trade Fair 2012; Madrid, Spain - 04/19/2012 - 04/21/2012
• IDEM Singapore; the most international dental trade show in the Asia-Pacific region - Singapore - 04/20/2012 - 04/22/2012
• Hannover Messe 2012; the world's leading showcase for industrial technology - Hannover, Germany - 04/23/2012 - 04/27/2012
• Infosecurity Europe 2012; Europe's number one information security event - London, United Kingdom - 04/24/2012 - 04/26/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you do not wish to receive ongoing communications via e-mail from FITA, please click on "Manage your subscription" below.
Please note that our newsletter comes from the e-mail address newsletter@fita.org. If your organization uses spam filters, or if you use a junk e-mail filter, please set it to receive e-mails from newsletter@fita.org or the domain fita.org.
Published by FITA Online, 172 Fifth Ave., #118, Brooklyn, NY 11217 USA.
Copyright © 2011 GlobalTrade SAS. All rights reserved.
|
|
|
www.fita.org
|
|
FIND QUALIFIED SERVICE PROVIDERS
JOB BANK
