World Trade articles from June 2004

World Trade archives from June 2004

Why America has to stay innovative.(Inside World Trade)
June 1, 2004... We have something tremendously special in America which, if we're not careful, we're going to squander away. Something that has given us an edge vis-a-vis our trading partners over the past decades and enabled us to capture a disproportionate...

Correction.(Inside World Trade)(Correction Notice)
June 1, 2004... In our May issue the article "Western Banking Spreads in China," included a regrettable typographic error. The headline should have read "BMO Financial Group/Harris Nesbitt opening up opportunities for North American clients." In the text,...

Respecting Chinese workers' rights makes moral and economic sense.(Policy Perspectives)
June 1, 2004... On March 16, the AFL-CIO filed an unprecedented petition with the United States Trade Representative, charging that the Chinese Government's brutal oppression of workers rights constitutes an unfair trade practice, as defined under Section 301...

U.S. Transportation Services Index hits 14-year high.(The Americas)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The Transportation Services index reached the highest level in the 14 year period covered by the index with a 0.8 percent rise in January, the Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported recently. The increase...

Coast Guard behind the curve, says Rand Corporation.(The Americas)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The Rand Corporation says the Coast Guard needs to step up modernization of its fleet in order to meet demands of post 9/11 security requirements. Even though the agency is in the midst of 20-year modernization plan, the pace needs to be...

Retailers plan to spend more on IT.(The Americas)(information technology)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... A recent study by AMR Research finds that retailers plan to increase IT spending by 9 percent this year, partly to improve supply chain efficiency. "IT spending in the retail industry has not increased this dramatically since the invention...

Transportation Services Index (TSI).(Tradewinds: the latest trends in the world of trade)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The Transportation Services Index (TSI) is a measure compiled by the Department of Transportation of the month-to-month changes in the output of services provided by the for-hire transportation industries, which include railroad, air, truck,...

Latin American trade talks with EU push ahead.(European Union)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Progress on trade talks between the European Union and Latin America is moving ahead, with both sides hopeful that a final deal will be reached by the October deadline. Brazil is taking the lead for Latin American countries, which include those...

Chile hopes new pact will expand trade with India.(The Americas)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The Chilean government says it will kick off trade talks with India in August, with initial trade limited to goods at first. According to an official at Chile's Foreign Ministry, India "is one of the key players among emerging economies and a...

Europe to liberalize rail freight market.(Europe)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The EU is preparing to approve proposals that will open up competition to Europe's rail freight market by 2007. Under the plans, which include four proposals, the international rail freight market will be fully opened to competition by...

EU, U.S. sign maritime security agreement.(European union)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The EU and U.S. have signed a maritime security agreement to expand container anti-terror measures. Under terms of the deal, the EU will expand the U.S. Container Security Initiative to all member countries, including the 10 new members of the...

Phone service in China expands with Internet.(Asia-Pacific)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Traditionally, countries who built out their infrastructure to accommodate phone service relied on switches housed in exchange buildings. Now, voice over Internet protocol, or VOIP, is the new technology of choice for long-distance phone calls...

Asia eastbound container rates up moderately for 2004.(Asia-Pacific)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Transpacific shippers and ocean carriers have concluded their annual contract negotiation season with moderate rate hikes. Specifically, major customers have signed contracts for rate hikes averaging $100 to $200 per 40-foot container, while...

East Asian economies slated for strong growth.(Asia-Pacific)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The World Bank says East Asian economies are likely to grow 6.3 percent this year--the fastest growth since 2000. The strong growth is being boosted mostly by demand from the U.S., Japan, and China. As for Japan, the World Bank forecasts 3.1...

China, U.S. to work closer together on food safety rules.(Asia-Pacific)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... China and the U.S. agreed to establish a consultative mechanism on food safety and animal and plant health issues during high-level trade meet legs held in late April in Washington, D.C. "China is an increasingly important market for U.S....

Taiwan designates two 'free ports'.(for Kaohsiung and Keelung)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... A Taiwanese government cabinet committee has formally approved 'free port' designations for Kaohsiung and Keelung. Under the government's plan, the ports will offer single-window administration; free flow of goods; autonomous management by...

U.S., UAE sign trade and investment agreement.(Africa & Middle East)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The United States has signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with the United Arab Emirates, which establishes a forum for the two countries to pursue options to expand bilateral trade and investment. U.S. Trade Representative...

Breaking through bottlenecks at the port: delays in the 'last mile' between ship and intermodal threaten to gridlock the global supply chain.
June 1, 2004... Arranging efficient intermodal transport across North America is among the world economy's most pressing and complex logistics problems. Of the ten million trailers and containers moved annually across the country by intermodal, half are...

Despite globalization traumas, flower industry blooms: along with creative logistics solutions.(Armellini Industries Inc.)
June 1, 2004... All over the world, the flower industry is blossoming. Despite a sluggish global economy; estimates are that the sales of floral products increased significantly in the first years of the new century. In many homes in the developed world,...

The World Trade Magazine 30 Top Countries for trade and expansion: U.K. stays number one but Asia and Scandinavia offer the best regional investment climates.(Cover Story)
June 1, 2004... This year's World Trade Magazine annual Top 30 Countries for Trade & Expansion report yielded two significant developments: the competition amongst the highest ranking countries is continuing to get even more intense as differences are...

Breathing new life into NC's Research Triangle: leaders in North Carolina's Research Triangle launch five-year initiative to stay competitive in today's global marketplace.(Geographical Focus)
June 1, 2004... In the 1950's a group of innovative leaders conceived the idea for the Research Triangle Park, an idea that changed the economic course for the central region of North Carolina with the cities of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Cary. As...

Strategic fit counts more than cost when choosing off-shore contract manufacturer: medical devices manufacturers survey identifies criteria for success.(Global Management)
June 1, 2004... Your CEO has decided that outsourcing has huge merits. He speaks about labor rates in China and the outsourcing trend. As COO, you have many concerns. You think about technical capabilities, transportation costs, inventory in transit, finding...

Middle market traders scramble to find the right bank: and finding the right fit is worth the investment.(Finance)(Diamond Walnut)
June 1, 2004... When middle market exporters and importers--companies with annual sales in the $20 to $300 million range--look for the right trade bank these days, it can sometimes be a daunting exercise. Diamond Walnut, a cooperative in Stockton,...

Warehouse Management Systems: key tips to help you determine if you really need a WMS.(Technology)(Column)
June 1, 2004... The evolution of warehouse management systems (WMS) is very similar to that of many other software solutions. Initially a system to control movement and storage of materials within a warehouse, the role of WMS is expanding to including light...

Global Insurance Network, Inc. www.globalinsnet.com.(services)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... When you think of cargo insurance, think of Global Insurance Network, Inc. As your Florida specialist in international trade coverage, Global has your solutions for Customs Bonds, marine insurance, warehouse liability, NVOCC Bonds... the whole...

Fedex Freight www.fedex.com.(services)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... FedEx Freight is a leading provider of LTL (less-than-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.(services)(Brief Article)
June 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...

Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) www.hmm21.com.(Cyber Customer Service Center)(Brief Article)
June 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...

Pilot Air Freight--www.pilotair.com.(services)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Pilot Air Freight is a full service transportation and logistics company with 65 offices throughout North America, and a worldwide network of overseas agents offering global coverage 24 hour a day, 7 days a week. As your transportation and...

Port Freeport--www.portfreeport.com.(services)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... 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 Grow--7,500 acres available...

Port of Virginia www.vaports.com.(Web Showcase)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Virginia's strategic mid-Atlantic location and unparalleled transportation infrastructure offer steamship lines and shippers unbeatable access to two thirds of the U.S. population with more than 75 international shipping lines and one of the...

Yang Ming Line (YML)--www.yml.com.tw.(services)(Brief Article)
June 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...

Litco International--www.litco.com.(Inca presswood pallets)(Brief Article)
June 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...

Port Everglades www.broward.org/port.(South Florida's strongest economic engine)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Port Everglades is one of South Florida's strongest economic engines with annual operating revenues of more than $89 million and total waterborne commerce exceeding 22 million tons in liquid, break bulk and containerized cargoes. More than...

Swiss WorldCargo www.swissworldcargo.com.(services)(Brief Article)
June 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...

Yellow Global www.yellowglobal.com.(services)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... When you need a seamless solution for international ship ping needs, Yellow Global can deliver. Integrated air, ocean and land shipping services around the world. Priority services, consolidation and even full container load. Plus complete...

A.N. Deringer Inc.--www.anderinger.com.(services)(Brief Article)
June 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...

Union Bank of California www.uboc.com.(services)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... When cost-effective international trade is integral to your company's success, choosing the right bank is critical. At Union Bank of California, we make it our business to provide our clients with the tools and expertise they need to navigate...

The euro.(Great Moments In World Trade)
June 1, 2004... On September 19, 1946, a somber Winston Churchill surveyed the state of his post-war continent. "What is the plight to which Europe has been reduced?" he thundered. "Tormented, hungry, care-worn and bewildered human beings gape at the ruins of...