World Trade articles from April 2003

World Trade archives from April 2003

Stupid, ugly, vulgar. (Inside World Trade).(SUV appeals to the vain, the gluttonous, the slothful)(Editorial)
April 1, 2003... San Francisco--Driving is almost regarded as a birthright here in California. We love our cars, and all their classic permutations. Until recently, there was almost a timeline formula sketched out for consumers: a sports model for youth; a...

So, You're a socialist. (Policy Perspectives).(Lawmakers and governments are subservient to money )(Editorial)
April 1, 2003... We didn't mean to become socialists. Many of us had parents, grandparents or great grandparents who came to this country from the Old World, worked hard, taught their children good values and were undistracted by the mind candy technology...

France posts impressive auto numbers. (Tradewinds).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... This past year was yet another strong year for the automotive industry in France, based on significant progress in productivity levels. According to a McKinsey and Co. report, which took into account elements such as product quality, labor...

ICC says globalization narrows the poverty gap. (Tradewinds).
April 1, 2003... Far from widening the gap between rich and poor, globalization has helped to bring about unprecedented improvements in the living conditions of many of the world's poorest people, International Chamber of Commerce analysts report. An ICC paper...

GALA to unite localization industry. (Tradewinds).(Globalization and Localization Association )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Globalization and Localization Association (GALA) is among the translation industry's premier trade organizations, created to foster and facilitate a corporate shift toward "true" globalization. Composed of 56 companies representing...

China continues to maintain major telecom barriers. (Tradewinds).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... U.S. companies continue to face barriers that interfere with their ability to compete in China's telecommunications market, despite the country's progress in implementing its membership in the World Trade Organization, United States Council for...

Fitch confirms Coface's AA rating. (Tradewinds).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Fitch Ratings, the international rating agency, has affirmed the "AA" Insurer Financial Strength rating (IFS) on Coface S.A., the head entity of the Coface Group. Separate "AA" IFS ratings have also been affirmed on the German, Italian and...

U.S. announces November dates for Miami FTAA meeting. (Tradewinds).(Free Trade Area of the Americas )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick recently announced that the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Ministerial Meeting will take place on November 20-21, 2003, in Miami, Florida. The negotiations among the 34 FTAA nations to remove...

Survey reveals how little Americans know about Canada. (Tradewinds).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The U.S.-Canada Partnership for Growth has released a survey which reveals a lack of awareness among Americans about the importance of the trading relationship with Canada. In a survey of 819 Americans, only 12% knew that Canada was the...

In the driver's seat.(TOP 10 AUTO MANUFACTURERS)(Illustration)
April 1, 2003... TOP 10 AUTO MANUFACTURERS In an otherwise stagnant world economy, the auto sector has held its own. From the sensible family sedan to the abominable Sport Utility Vehicle (see "Inside World Trade") car makers are satisfying consumer demand...

Like father, like son.(India's grand and emotional farewell to Dhirubhai Ambani)(Obituary)
April 1, 2003... India's grand and emotional farewell to Dhirubhai Ambani was an apt ending to a nearly half-century, rags-to-riches career that became part of the young country's mythology. The 69-year-old founder of $13 billion conglomerate Reliance...

Intermodal update: industry is meeting customers' demands. (Transportation Cargo & Shipping).
April 1, 2003... As major U.S. railroads plowed headfirst into mergers a few years ago, railroad executives claimed the emerging networks would be more efficient and would draw freight off highways. Those predictions finally seem to becoming true. John...

Cold chain challenge: profit potential in a 'chilly' new world. (Logistics and Supply Chain Management).
April 1, 2003... The issue of "critical cargoes" has been frequently addressed and analyzed, and indeed it is a dynamic area of the business: fortunes are made and lost by traders, brokers, distributors and producers; shipping lines, forwarders and logistics...

Servicing the auto industry: technology is part of the tune-up. (Logistics and Supply Chain Management).
April 1, 2003... The customer service division in Ford's automotive aftermarket group is beginning to reap solid benefits from its relationship with lead logistics provider, Schneider Logistics. "Together, we manage all flows, all moves from all sources into...

Security on the front burner: the time is now to prepare. (Global Sourcing).
April 1, 2003... It's a new world out there, and companies that don't adapt to it will find themselves at a serious competitive disadvantage compared to those who do. That's one of the clearest and most important messages being sent by executives and speakers...

Hitting the books: industry courses give professionals the edge. (Education).
April 1, 2003... The complexities of modern-day supply chains demand a lot from professionals in the industry--and while on the job training lends towards experience, formal training can really enhance one's knowledge and marketability. Likewise, there are a...

Financing equipment exports: some banks do stand-alone deals, but the trick is finding them. (Banking, Finance & Trade Services).
April 1, 2003... When Astec Inc., a large construction equipment manufacturer, found that its primary bank wasn't going to help it structure the financial packages its export business required, it had to scramble to fill the void. Fortunately, said Johnnie...

Investing in Belgium: the incentives are enticing.
April 1, 2003... Editor's Note: The following interview was conducted with Erik Sterckx, counselor general, Ministry of Economic Affairs. WORLD TRADE was given a preliminary briefing in Brussels last August. Patrick Burnson WT: Howls Belgium, as a nation,...

New Zealand: business in the land of the Kiwi. (Use International Economic Development).
April 1, 2003... There's a lot more to New Zealand than the heart-stopping scenery showcased in J.R.R. Tolken's movie trilogy Lord of the Rings. New Zealand is, increasingly, about business. "There has been a huge change in New Zealand's business climate...

Stepping onto the world stage: 7 ways to help your community achieve success. (US & International Economic Development).
April 1, 2003... International business is something like a primary election--everybody believes in it, but not enough of us participate in it. And that isn't surprising. When some U.S. entrepreneurs or executives look at the intricacies, cultural classes and...

Inside the best in class D/C: a closer look at warehouse management systems. (Technology).
April 1, 2003... For U.S. manufacturers, the engine of global distribution is the warehouse, also known as the distribution center. Gaining the best performance from this engine is of critical importance to companies looking to manage operational costs,...

A center for free trade--Montreal. (Publisher's Corner).
April 1, 2003... Security. Iraq. Terrorism. Anti-war and anti-globalization demonstrations. It's dizzying. And it's on every news channel. Yet, a recent trip to Montreal reminded me that another side to this story is getting lost in the confusion; free trade...

Auto Makers Working to rev up sales.(Illustration)
April 1, 2003... Auto Makers Working to rev up sales Automobile Sales (not seasonally adjusted, thousands of units) 2000 2001 Total in the U.S. 8,852.1 8,422.1 Produced in U.S. 6,832.8 6,322.7 Produced Abroad...

Evergreen International Airlines. (Corporate Profiles).
April 1, 2003... www.evergreenairlines.com Evergreen International Airlines is a U.S. cargo airline specializing in ad hoc charter, and contract freighter operations. Evergreen operates a fleet of ten B-747 and seven DC9 freighter aircraft on an ACMI wet...

Lufthansa Cargo. (Corporate Profiles).
April 1, 2003... www.lufthansa-cargo.com Need worldwide express service and a capacity guarantee for large freight? The answer is td.X service from Lufthansa Cargo. Capacity for td.X is guaranteed for shipments up to 2 tons when booking 24 hours ahead of...

Canda Maritime. (Corporate Profiles).
April 1, 2003... www.canadmaritime.com North Atlantic leader Canada Maritime sets the standard in sea commerce and container transport between North/Mediterranean Europe and Canada/US. Its five weekly services operate via Montreal, the shortest route...

Yang Ming Line (YML). (Corporate Profiles).
April 1, 2003... www.yml.com.tw Yang Ming Line (YML) is an independent all water and intermodal worldwide carrier, with a customer-driven staff supporting YML'S state-of-the-art, fully integrated global network Whether cargo is containerized, oversized or...

COSCO. (Corporate Profiles).
April 1, 2003... www.cosco-usa.com COSCO capacity on owned and leased containers totals nearly 425,000 TEUS. Cargo handling capabilities include 20-ft. and 40-ft. dry containers, refrigerated containers, flat racks, open tops, high cubes and other...

A.N. Deringer. (Corporate Profiles).
April 1, 2003... Since 1919, AN. Deringer, Inc. has been a leading provider of international logistics. As the process of logistics becomes more about moving information and less about moving the box, Deringer works to develop technology driven solutions to...

San Antonio International Airport. (Corporate Profiles).
April 1, 2003... www.sanantonio--airport.com SAT, a U.S. Point of Entry, accommodates commercial, cargo and general aviation, Nearly one million square feet available with designated Foreign Trade Zone #80. Over 200 acres of facilities include FBOs,...

FX First Inc. (Corporate Profiles).
April 1, 2003... www.fxfirst.com FX First, Inc. is an innovative trading and software development company with a rapidly growing reputation as a market leader in the online foreign exchange trading (Forex) industry. We provide our clients with the tools...

Finnair Cargo. (Corporate Profiles).
April 1, 2003... www.finnair.com Finnair offers 747-200 freighter service to Gothenburg every week. On Saturday nighn, we have a 747-200 freighter, JFK-GOT-HEL-JFK, so all Scandinavian freight will be at its destination by Sunday night. The flight...

Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM). (Corporate Profiles).
April 1, 2003... www.hmm21com HMM has made its "Cyber Customer Service Center" faster and easier to use, keeping inline with the complicated needs of the cargo transportation business, With Cyber CSC, customers will be able to book on-line and access...

Port of Oakland. (Corporate Profiles).
April 1, 2003... www.portofoakland.com The Port of Oakland is the fourth largest containerport in the U.S.hondling approximately 1.7 million TEUs in 2002. The port has recently undergone a major transformation with the completion of its landside maritime...

Port Freeport. (Corporate Profiles).
April 1, 2003... www.portfreeport.com Port Freeport offers three important advantages: Easy Access -Transportation via highway, railroad, Intercoastal Canal, and our 400-foot-wide, 45-foot-deep channel that is just three miles from open water. Space to...

Pilot Air Freight. (Corporate profiles).
April 1, 2003... www.pilotair.com. Pilot Air Freight is a full-service, global transportation and logistics company headquartered in Greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with 65 offices throughout the U.S. Pilot prides itself on keeping abreast of...

NSCSA. (Corporate Profiles).
April 1, 2003... www.nscsaamerica.com NSCSA can handle all your cargo needs to the Middle East and the Indian Sub-Continent. In addition, we are the only Ro-Ro/Container carrier with direct service to Pakistan. Our state-of-the-art vessels can carry every...

Port of Miami. (Corporate Profiles).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... www.miamidade.gov/portofmiami. The Port of Miami boasts a multiplicity of shipping lines that call on more than 100 countries and 250 ports across the globe, ranking it the largest container port in Florida. The markets served include...

Finding new best friends. (Fair Trader).(trade in conflict diamonds)
April 1, 2003... Girls have it tough these days. First it was furs, now it's diamonds. More specifically, trade in "conflict diamonds," or rough diamonds used by rebel groups to financially back the undermining of legitimate governments. Angola and Sierra Leone...