World Trade articles from December 2004

World Trade archives from December 2004

What the military is teaching us about supply chains.(Inside World Trade)
December 1, 2004... There are occasions when a journalist finds himself in the presence of what feels like a truly epoch sea change. Recently in Philadelphia, at the Council of Logistics Management meetings, I got a glimpse into the future of world trade and...

The win-win-win challenge of offshoring.(Policy Perspectives)
December 1, 2004... Offshoring has raised a number of concerns in developed countries. A new study by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (World Investment Report 2004--see www.unctad.org/wir) shows that there are three basic considerations that...

Transportation Services Index (TSI).(Tradewinds: the latest trends in the world of trade)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Transportation Services Index (TSI) reached the highest level in the 14-year period covered by the index with a 0.4 percent rise in July, according to the Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The TSI,...

U.S. Customs agents stationed inside Canada.(The Americas)(United States. Customs Service)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... An agreement between the U.S. and Canada will place U.S. Customs agents inside the Canadian border to clear U.S. bound shipments. Canada also will send cargo inspectors to foreign ports to help screen North American cargo under Washington's...

U.S. to challenge NAFTA ruling on Canadian lumber.(The Americas)(North American Free Trade Agreement)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Bush Administration says it will fight a decision by a North American Free Trade Agreement panel that found imports of Canadian softwood lumber pose no threat to U.S. lumber producers. According to the Office of the U.S. Trade...

Dominican Republic may be out of the CAFTA.(The Americas)(Central American Free Trade Agreement)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Dominican Republic's President Leonel Fernandez is being urged to reject a provision in the budget recently passed by country's lawmakers that places a 25 percent tax on soft drinks containing high-fructose corn syrup, which was advanced as...

Strong job creation makes pharma industry attractive.(The Americas)(employment growth)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A study by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of america forecasts strong employment growth over the next decade in the drug making sector, which is already among the highest-salaried and most productive in the United States. ...

Agribusiness growing under U.S., Chile FTA.(The Americas)(Federal Transit Administration, United States)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Agribusiness is emerging as a leading sector in bilateral trade between Chile and the United States, and the free trade agreement between the two countries is the catalyst. The value of U.S. exports has risen 31 percent in the first half of...

Competition for automakers gets stiffer in China.(Asia Pacific)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... China's appetite for imports has begun to slow, according to the latest statistics released by the General Administration of Customs. In particular, a noticeable slowdown in purchases of machinery, steel, oil and other raw materials helped...

Thailand improves container screening program.(Asia Pacific)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Thailand is moving forward on the second stage of its container screening program, and will add fixed X ray machines to the current five mobile units. The new machines deployed as part of Thailand's participation in the U.S.-sponsored...

ADB says Asian economies poised for healthy expansion.(Asia Pacific)(Asian Development Bank )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Asian Development Bank says developing Asian economics will grow this year at their fastest rate since the financial crisis of 1997-98. Stronger trade, domestic consumption, and increased investments are leading the way, however rising...

Australian wool exporters critical of American retailer's boycott.(Asia Pacific)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Australian wool and sheep exporters fear that a decision by U.S. clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch in October to boycott Australian merino fiber won't gain favor with other retailers. According to The Australian newspaper, Abercrombie's...

India wants trade integration with Asian neighbors.(Asia Pacific)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... India has proposed an Asian Economic Community that would integrate its market with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations trade bloc, as well as China, Japan, and South Korea. "Such a community would release enormous energies," Prime...

Finland grabs top spot in WEF survey.(Europe)(World Economic Forum)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Finland has again been ranked as the top country in the latest Global Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum, which rates nations on their ability to achieve sustained economic growth. Second best growth prospects were awarded...

Lamy proposes overhaul of EU trade preferences.(Europe)(European Union, Pascal Lamy )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy has proposed an overhaul of trade discounts to developing countries, which worries countries like China and india who stand to lose EU trade preferences for products such as clothing and textiles. The EU's...

U.S., Europe trade tiffs go before the WTO.(Europe)(World Trade Organization)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The U.S. Trade Representative has announced that the U.S. is filing a complaint with the WTO against the European Union's customs laws anti regulations. According to the USTB, many important aspects of customs administration in the EU are...

Israeli, Arab trade increasing.(Middle East And Africa)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Israeli government says that trade with neighboring Arab states is continuing to grow, expanding 47.4 percent from January through August compared with the same period a year ago, according to the country's Central Bureau of Statistics. ...

Germany's new truck tolls set to begin January 1.(Europe)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A controversial rule in Germany that would impose a nationwide toll on trucks is set to begin on January 1. It's estimated that the new rule will add up to 15 percent to the cost of transporting ocean containers to and from the main...

UK's Tesco rolls out RFID network.(Europe)(Tesco PLC, Radio frequency identification)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The UK supermarket chain Tesco has begun rolling out an RFID network to track shipments front its central distribution center to all 98 of its Tesco Extra superstores, with completion set for Christmas this year. In line with the...

Eastern European air cargo takes off.(Europe)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The air cargo market in Eastern Europe is set to take off, say analysts, with Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic taking the lead. The three countries are among the newest members of the European Union, and their economies are growing...

The new global supply chain in theory and practice.(management)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Few aspects of business are more important theses days than the supply chain. Once relegated to the shipping dock's 'traffic,' the integrated worldwide supply chain is now rightly regarded as the heartbeat of the enterprise. yet to a...

The making of a successful global supply chain: managing international trade requires robust, flexible supply chains able to sustain unexpected shock.(The New Supply Chain)
December 1, 2004... World trade, by its very nature, is more complex than purely domestic commerce. As more American manufacturers and retails continue to enter the global arena, they are becoming familiar with the added demands being placed on their business...

The coming thing in logistics software is global supply chain visibility: technology to help manage the exponential growth of information in the new global supply chain.(The New Supply Chain)
December 1, 2004... As the 2005 automobile models start flooding from all over the world onto dealer lots, consider all the factors that differentiate one vehicle from another--from model to engine type to color and features. Take those factors and multiply them...

A turning tide for U.S. seaports: security, infrastructure, and getting business back on its feet after a disaster are the new challenges for the maritime industry and shippers.
December 1, 2004... American seaports are facing an unprecedented challenge when it comes to their competitiveness in comparison to foreign ports. While labor issues and the ability to handle growing cargo volumes are concerns shared globally, several issues are...

KeyBank offers mid-sized companies big time trade finance by partnering with ABN AMRO: outsourcing back office operation lets one regional bank play like a global giant.(ABN AMRO Bank N.V.)
December 1, 2004... A half dozen years ago, the international trade finance business at KeyBank ($86 billion assets, headquartered in Cleveland) was at a major crossroads. Through growth anti acquisitions, super-regional Key ranked among the dozen biggest banks in...

Holistic approach to supply chain can produce 50% more benefits; manufacturers don't optimize third-party vendors unless they integrate product development with supply chain processes.(Global Management)
December 1, 2004... North American and European companies that manufacture their high technology products through third parties as part of a global supply chain typically capture less than half of the total benefits available. That's not good news but it's the...

LTL continues its drive into the 'solutions provider' arena: yet tightening capacity, higher operating costs, and customer demands are making for some rough road ahead.(Transportation & Logistics)(less-than-truckload)
December 1, 2004... The less-than-truckload (LTL) industry, like other industries in die broader transportation and logistics sector, has continued to transform itself into a total solutions provider in order to meet increased customer demands, whose requirements...

Germany remains a strong prospect for U.S. investment: despite high unemployment and labor restrictions, Europe's largest economy is still an attractive prospect.(Geographical Focus)
December 1, 2004... Seven years ago Deputy Finance Minister Jurgen Stark led Germany's efforts to impose strict budgetary rules on the European Monetary Union's poorer members, including strict deficit and spending targets. It was the only way, he felt, to force...

Cargo insurance is changing, but American traders still missing the boat: too many U.S. traders fail to insure although 300 cargo vessels sank last year.(Finance)
December 1, 2004... Cargo insurance has been a venerable staple of world trade since the days when a group of London merchants and ship owners, who used to gather at Edward Lloyd's coffee house to swap shipping information, launched Lloyd's of London. The...

AIT Worldwide Logistics www.aitworldwide.com.(Web Locators)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... AIT Worldwide Logistics is a transportation company of excellence. Mastering its commitment to deliver exceptional value, AIT produces customized technology solutions for its customers. AIT has built a solid foundation over the past 25 years by...

Euler Hermes ACI www.eulerhermes.com/USA.(Web Locators)(EULER American Credit Indemnity)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Euler Hermes ACI is North America's oldest and largest provider of accounts receivable insurance. Euler Hermes ACI offers both domestic and global credit insurance policies, which insure clients against commercial and political risk in more...

Fedex Freight www.fedex.com.(Web Locators)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... FedEx Freight is a leading provider of LTL (less-then-truck-load) freight services, providing regional and interregional delivery throughout the U.S., with extended international service. Using a comprehensive network of service centers and...

Export-Import Bank of the United States--www.exim.gov.(Web Locators)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) assists U.S. companies compete in today's challenging global marketplace. This government agency assumes the credit and country risks that the private sector is unable or unwilling to...

FedExTrade Networks www.worldtariff.com.(Web Locators)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... FedEx Trade Networks WorldTariff[SM] publishes customs duty and tax information for all customs areas worldwide. The WorldTariff team of editorial professionals continuously collects data from the world's customs authorities, then simplifies,...

Yang Ming Line (YML)--www.yml.com.tw.(Web Locators)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... 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...

Roadway Express www.roadway.com.(Web Locators)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Roadway Express is a leading transporter of industrial, commercial, and retail goods, offering innovative services to meet customer needs, including Time-Critical, Time-Advantage[R] and Exhibit Transportation Services. Roadway offers...

Swiss WorldCargo www.swissworldcargo.com.(Web Locators)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Swiss WorldCargo is the air cargo division of Swiss International Air Lines Ltd. With its global network of more than 150 destinations in over 80 countries and its broad range of airfreight products and services, Swiss WorldCargo generates...

Litco International--www.litco.com.(Web Locators)
December 1, 2004... Litco's Inca presswood pallets meet the new ISPM 15, International Standards for Wooden Packaging. Inca pallets do not require additional costly treatment for infestation. Don't risk costly delays at foreign ports! Inca pallets are priced for...

A.N. Deringer Inc.--www.anderinger.com.(Web Locators)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Founded in 1919, Deringer has grown to become one of the leading providers of international logistics services. With over 30 offices coast to coast in the U.S. and a global agency network we provide supply chain solutions for companies moving...

Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) www.hmm21.com.(Web Locators)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... 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 freight rates. Our...

Meridian IQ www.meridianiq.com.(Web Locators)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... As a global logistics management company, Meridian IQ helps customers make better use of global transportation resources. Our approach allows customers to choose the level of service that best fits their needs. All levels are quick and easy to...

Printronix www.printronix.com.(Web Locators)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Established nearly 30 years ago, Printronix is a leading provider of industrial and back-office enterprise printing solutions for customers the world over. The long-term market leader in line matrix printers, Printronix has earned an...

The fax machine.(Great Moments In World Trade)
December 1, 2004... Between 1983 and 1989, the number of fax machines in the United States increased from 300,000 to 4 million--an overnight sensation for a technology that was more than a hundred years old. The fax machine is three decades older than the...