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#### Mississippi International Trade News

**November 2003**

Published by the:

U.S. Export Assistance Center

Mississippi World Trade Center

Tel: 601/965-4130

Fax: 601/965-4132

Jackson, MS 39201

<bill.morris@mail.doc.gov>

Dear Mississippi International Trade News Reader:

The central theme of this month\'s Mississippi International Trade News
concerns your becoming a supplier or an advocate to a supplier of
equipment and services to Iraq. Following his recent visit to Iraq our
head boss, Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans, has directed my agency -
The U.S. Commercial Service - to take on a critical role in fostering
the reconstruction of Iraq by way of facilitating enhanced trade and
investment in Iraq by U.S. business firms. The goal is to bring Iraq
into the community of trading nations worldwide. Since ancient times, it
is a historically based fact that the development of international trade
in a region is the precursor of peace!

Synopsis of selected current leads from Iraq (courtesy of the U.S.
Foreign Commercial Service)

Group #1

This is a HOT trade lead because the company has money and management:

-   rebuilding a mushroom farm/factory (they have already spoken to Penn
    State)

-   looking for medium-sized U.S. construction company partners that
    specialize in roads

-   also needs cement and ceramics manufacturing (toilets and floor
    tiling)

Group #2

Subject: Railroad Re-Railing Vehicles

Our co. has been serving Iraq and the neighboring countries for several
years and we represent several European companies in this region, but of
course we are always looking to expand the base for our sources.

Currently we are looking for a company that can supply the following,

> • Ten (10) complete railroad vehicles (locomotives) ready for service
> on arrival in Iraq, for re-railing purposes, with rescue devices

Can you help us in locating an American company? We already have an
offer from a European company, but we are looking to better serve our
client with more options.

If you will contact me, I will personally introduce you to one of my
Washington D.C., colleagues assigned to the Iraq Reconstruction Task
Force who can help us pursue these peacemaking business opportunities.

Bill Morris

U.S. Domestic Commercial Service

Jackson, Mississippi

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > Department of Commerce Press Release:                               |
| >                                                                     |
| > **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**                                           |
| >                                                                     |
| > **Tuesday, October 14, 2003**                                       |
| >                                                                     |
| > **EVANS IRAQ VISIT HIGHLIGHTS PROGRESS IN RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS**  |
| >                                                                     |
| > ***Iraqi Optimism Outweighs Isolated Violence***                    |
| >                                                                     |
| > BAGHDAD -- US Commerce Secretary Don Evans today met with Baghdad   |
| > University students, business leaders, local officials and women    |
| > entrepreneurs to discuss the economic development made since the    |
| > liberation of Iraq. Following his meetings Evans held a press       |
| > conference where he highlighted Iraqi successes after decades of    |
| > corruption and misrule.                                             |
| >                                                                     |
| > "I am pleased to report that Iraq is making progress," Evans said   |
| > during the conference. "Iraq's economic potential has barely been   |
| > tapped and we are helping to meet that potential. The country's     |
| > strong entrepreneurial tradition has manifested itself in the       |
| > markets and business centers across Iraq since the liberation."     |
| >                                                                     |
| > Evans reminded attendees that a stable, democratic and prosperous   |
| > Iraq would be an example of freedom's power throughout the Middle   |
| > East.                                                               |
| >                                                                     |
| > "The goal of our coalition is to help the Iraqi people build a      |
| > stable and prosperous country that will help Iraq become a partner  |
| > in the global economy," Evans said. "We will work side by side with |
| > Iraqi businesses and entrepreneurs to lay the foundation of a free  |
| > economy and we will not rest until the work is done."               |
| >                                                                     |
| > On Wednesday, Evans will unveil a new Iraqi currency known as the   |
| > 'new Iraqi dinar.' The new Iraqi dinar will create a single         |
| > currency that will be used throughout all of Iraq and create a      |
| > reliable monetary system for future foreign investment.             |
| >                                                                     |
| > In addition, he is expected to meet with US troops, members of the  |
| > Baghdad government and industry leaders.                            |
| >                                                                     |
| > Evans' trip coincides with the work of the Commerce Department's    |
| > Iraq Reconstruction Task Force. The task force assists U.S.         |
| > companies interested in reconstruction and commercial opportunities |
| > in Iraq.                                                            |
| >                                                                     |
| > Chaired by Deputy Assistant Secretary Kevin Murphy, the Task Force  |
| > has developed a one-stop, comprehensive web site resource           |
| > (www.export.gov/iraq) where U.S. companies can receive clear,       |
| > accurate, and timely information about Iraq reconstruction, the     |
| > evolving commercial environment in Iraq, and potential business     |
| > opportunities. It also provides web links to the Coalition          |
| > Provisional Authority in Iraq, other U.S. Government agencies, and  |
| > reconstruction prime contractors and known subcontractors.          |
| >                                                                     |
| > The Task Force hotline (1-866-352-IRAQ) provides U.S. companies     |
| > with guidance and business counseling on how businesses can get     |
| > involved in the reconstruction effort. The task force also          |
| > developed a database of U.S. and foreign companies interested in    |
| > participating in Iraq reconstruction, to which industry-specific    |
| > opportunities can be selectively forwarded.                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

E-mail from The Secretary of The U.S. Department of Commerce sent to all
U.S. Domestic and Foreign Commercial Service personnel today, 11/13/03:

SUBJECT: MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY: IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION

REGIONAL INITIATIVE

1\. I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE CREATION OF THE IRAQ

RECONSTRUCTION REGIONAL INITIATIVE BY THE U.S. COMMERCIAL

SERVICE. AS YOU ARE AWARE, THIS ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF IRAQ A MAJOR PRIORITY, AND ENHANCED

TRADE WITH AND INVESTMENT IN IRAQ ARE CRITICAL TO THIS

EFFORT. I SAW THIS FIRST-HAND DURING MY RECENT TRIP TO

IRAQ, AND DEPUTY SECRETARY BODMAN AND I HEARD ABOUT THE NEED

TO FOSTER TRADE AND INVESTMENT FLOWS AT OUR OTHER STOPS IN

THE REGION. THE IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION REGIONAL INITIATIVE

WILL BRING TO BEAR UNPARALLELED EFFORTS ON THE PART OF THE

U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND OUR REGIONAL PARTNERS TO HELP

BRING IRAQ INTO THE COMMUNITY OF TRADING NATIONS WORLDWIDE.

2\. COMMERCIAL SERVICE OFFICES IN THE COUNTRIES NEIGHBORING

IRAQ HAVE BEEN FORMED INTO A REGIONAL FIELD TEAM COORDINATED

BY DEPUTY SCO ED BURTON IN SAUDI ARABIA. THIS

TEAM WILL UNDERTAKE A SERIES OF COORDINATED ACTIVITIES TO

SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF OUR COLLEAGUES IN IRAQ AND TO

MAXIMIZE THE POSITIVE IMPACT ON IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION. THE

TEAM INCLUDES COMMERCIAL SERVICE POSTS IN KUWAIT, JORDAN,

SAUDI ARABIA, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, AND TURKEY ALONG WITH

FELLOW OFFICERS AT THE WORLD BANK, COMMERCIAL SERVICE

WASHINGTON D.C. AND DOMESTIC EXPORT ASSISTANCE CENTER STAFF,

THE ITA IRAQ TASK FORCE AND MARKET ACCESS AND COMPLIANCE

STAFF. THE COMMERCIAL SERVICE TEAM WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH

THEIR RESPECTIVE AMBASSADORS, DCMS AND OTHER COUNTRY TEAM

COLLEAGUES IN THE EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES TO IDENTIFY AND

PROMOTE TRADE AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE IRAQ

MARKET. THEY ALSO WILL ENLIST THE SUPPORT OF OTHER U.S.

GOVERNMENT TRADE AND PROMOTION AGENCIES INCLUDING TDA, OPIC

AND EXIM BANK. THIS TEAM EFFORT WILL SEEK TO LEVERAGE

EXISTING RESOURCES IN THE REGION TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT TO

PROMOTE RECONSTRUCTION IN IRAQ.

3\. COMMERCIAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES WILL FOCUS ON HELPING U.S.

FIRMS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF IRAQ AND THE

DEVELOPMENT OF THE MARKET THROUGH THE SALES OF GOODS AND

SERVICES AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OPERATIONS IN IRAQ.

BECAUSE OF THE UNIQUE NATURE OF THE RECONSTRUCTION

INITIATIVE, COMMERCIAL SERVICE POSTS WILL REACH OUT TO HOST

COUNTRY NATIONAL FIRMS AS WELL. THE COMMERCIAL SERVICE

NETWORK WILL WORK WITH LOCAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS,

GOVERNMENTS AND NGOS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES TO

ENCOURAGE INCREASED TRADE AND INVESTMENT, THEREBY

CONTRIBUTING TO THE RAPID RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF

IRAQ. AS PART OF THE INITIATIVE, THE COMMERCIAL SERVICE

WILL IDENTIFY POTENTIAL PARTNERS FOR U.S. FIRMS BOTH IN

IRAQ AND IN THE NEIGHBORING REGION. PROPOSED ACTIVITIES

INCLUDE BRINGING IRAQI DELEGATIONS TO REGIONAL TRADE SHOWS

AND EVENTS, VIRTUAL TRADE MISSIONS, INTERNATIONAL BUYERS

DELEGATIONS, VIDEOCONFERENCING, WEBCAST AND WEBSITE

BRIEFINGS AND OUTREACH SEMINARS. U.S. BUSINESS MISSIONS

WILL BE RECRUITED AND TAKEN TO IRAQ WHEN CONDITIONS

PERMIT. IN THE MEANTIME, U.S. BUSINESS DELEGATIONS CAN

MEET WITH IRAQI BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT CONTACTS AT EVENTS

IN THE REGION AND IN THE USA.

4\. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ANNOUNCE A

PROPOSED LIST OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION EVENTS THAT

WILL BE UNDERTAKEN AS PART OF THIS INITIATIVE BOTH IN THE

REGION AND IN THE USA. I ENCOURAGE ALL TO REVIEW THE

EVENTS AND MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO THIS IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION

REGIONAL INITIATIVE.

5\. LIST OF PROPOSED TRADE PROMOTION EVENTS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003:

\-- IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION SEMINARS IN ANKARA, ISTANBUL AND

ISMIR, TURKEY

DECEMBER 2003:

\-- VIRTUAL TRADE MISSION WITH SAN FRANCISCO EAC FOR

ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES

(PROPOSED FOR TURKEY, OTHER POSTS TBD)

\-- LIVE WEB BROADCAST THROUGH THE WORLD TRADE CENTER (WTC)

IN ANKARA, TURKEY

\-- IRAQI MINISTRY OF TRADE TRAINING BY THE GOVERNMENT OF

JORDAN ON THE COMPANY REGISTRATION SYSTEM.

JANUARY 2004:

\-- \<\<OUTREACH 2004\>\> EXHIBITION, AMMAN, JORDAN ON IRAQ

RECONSTRUCTION (JAN.11-13). RECRUIT AN IRAQI DELEGATION TO

ATTEND THE EVENT.

\-- \<\<REBUILD IRAQ\>\> EXHIBITION IN KUWAIT CITY (JAN. 19-23).

BRING IRAQI DELEGATION. CS KUWAIT TO HOST IRAQI

RECONSTRUCTION COUNCIL MEETING.

\-- \<\<ARAB HEALTH\>\> EXHIBITION, DUBAI, UAE (JAN. 18-22).

BRING AN IRAQI DELEGATION. FCS BAGHDAD STAFF TO PROVIDE

CPA/CS BAGHDAD BRIEFING.

\-- IRAQ CONFERENCE BY THE COUNCIL OF SAUDI CHAMBERS OF

COMMERCE & INDUSTRY IN RIYADH. FCS TO PRESENT BUSINESS

OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH SAUDI-U.S. BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS.

HIGH LEVEL SPEAKERS REQUESTED FROM CPA AND USG.

\-- PROPOSED BORDER OPENING PRESS EVENT IN SAUDI ARABIA.

U.S. EMBASSY SAUDI ARABIA TO HIGHLIGHT BENEFICIAL ASPECTS

OF THE OPENING FOR FUTURE SAUDI-IRAQI BUSINESS RELATIONS.

FEBRUARY 2004:

\-- PREPARATION OF ARABIC LANGUAGE QUICK REFERENCE SHEET ON

\<\<DOING BUSINESS IN IRAQ\>\>.

\-- VIDEO CONFERENCE FROM KUWAIT OR JORDAN WITH TWO USEACS

FEATURING FCS BAGHDAD STAFF.

MARCH 2004:

\-- IRAQ CENTRAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDS AND QUALITY

CONTROL (COSQC) DELEGATION TO SAUDI ARABIA FOR TRAINING IN

ESTABLISHING INDUSTRY STANDARDS, ORGANIZED BY NIST.

\-- WOMEN-IN-TRADE EVENT. RECRUIT IRAQI BUSINESSWOMEN TO GO

TO NEIGHBORING COUNTRY OR TO USA TO MEET OTHER WOMEN SMES

AND SUPPORT GROUPS, SUCH AS OWIT.

APRIL 2004:

\-- IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION SEMINAR AT AMERICAN TURKISH

COUNCIL\'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE, WASHINGTON, D.C., FIRST WEEK

IN APRIL.

MAY 2004:

\-- \<\<OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE\>\>, HOUSTON, TEXAS,

FIRST WEEK IN MAY. BRING IRAQI BUYERS DELEGATION TO

EXHIBITION. INCLUDE BRIEFING, TRAINING AND SITE VISITS FOR

DELEGATION.

\-- SME CONFERENCE, AMMAN, JORDAN. ADD A GROUP OF IRAQI SMES

TO JOIN EVENT. ALSO INCLUDE TRAINING FOR IRAQIS BY JABA

(JORDANIAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS ASSN).

\-- BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR. RECRUITMENT FROM ALL

CS POSTS FOR FAIR ATTENDANCE. EXPLORE POSSIBLE USA

PAVILION.

JUNE 2004:

\-- NGO CONFERENCE, WASHINGTON, D.C. THIS PROPOSED EVENT

COULD BRING TOGETHER ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE CENTER FOR

INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE ENTERPRISE (CIPE) WITH TDA, WORLD

BANK, EX-IM, OPIC, AID, ETC., TO NETWORK WITH THE BUSINESS

COMMUNITY.

6\. THIS INITIATIVE IS A VITAL ELEMENT IN OUR OVERALL

FOREIGN POLICY OBJECTIVE OF A PEACEFUL, PROSPEROUS AND

DEMOCRATIC MIDDLE EAST. I COMMEND OUR POSTS IN THE REGION

FOR UNDERTAKING THIS TEAM EFFORT AND MAKING A MAJOR

CONTRIBUTION TO THE RECONSTRUCTION OF IRAQ.

# 

# **Jackson USEAC Internship Search**

# 

# United States Export Assistance Center

• Would you like to spend time on the inside track of international
business?

• Would you like to gain real work experience that can provide an
essential edge for entering today's job market?

Export Assistance Centers are part of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial
Service, an extensive network of trade specialists located throughout
the world devoted to assisting U.S. companies expand their international
business presence. With offices in 105 cities throughout the U.S. and in
more than 150 cities in 83 countries, we're strategically placed to help
U.S. firms realize their export potential.

Our trade experts assist U.S. firms in exporting their products/services
by providing comprehensive counseling and advice, through timely and
accurate intelligence regarding foreign markets, by identifying
qualified international buyers and representatives, by advocating on
their behalf, and by providing comprehensive solutions to whatever
challenges they may encounter.

International Business Internship Opportunities are available for
qualified applicants with the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S.
Commercial Service in Jackson, Mississippi.

• Internships available year around

• All majors

• Volunteer opportunity for possible course credit

• Job referrals available for project completion

# REQUIREMENTS

• Full-time or part-time graduate or undergraduate student

• Good interpersonal & writing skills

• Ability to work up to 20 hours per week

• No criminal record

• U.S. citizen

# RESPONSIBILITIES

• Counseling -- responding to telephone inquiries from exporters
regarding trade requirements, regulations, documentation, country
issues, etc.

• Promotional -- contacting exporters to determine interest in overseas
trade shows, export leads, seminars and other trade activities

• Administrative -- preparation of correspondence and entry/maintenance
of company profile in databases

• Special projects -- including assistance with seminars, trade shows
and official visits

Upcoming Trade Events:

INCREASE YOUR EXPORT SALES AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS!

# **EXIMBank Symposium in Memphis**

Attend the "Exporter Symposium" and grow your business

Hosted by:

Export-Import Bank of the United States

U.S. Small Business Administration

U.S. Commercial Service

Overseas Private Investment Corporation

Memphis Chamber of Commerce

Grow your business:

Discover how to find international buyers and use trade finance tools to
win international sales and grow your business. Let trade and export
finance professionals guide you through the maze of export challenges
and demonstrate how to minimize risks, improve cash flow, and enter new
markets. This half-day, interactive seminar will review the many
products and services available from the Department of Commerce (U.S.
Commercial Service), Small Business Administration (SBA), The Overseas
Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the Export-Import Bank of the
United States (Ex-Im Bank), the official export credit agency of the
U.S. government. In particular, the symposium addresses special programs
for environmental and service exports, lease transactions, and small,
minority-owned and woman-owned businesses.

At this symposium, you'll learn how to:

Find Buyers

· Located and screen buyers, distributors, and partners

· Tap into foreign market information from experts in 84 countries

· Use e-commerce tools and on-line export declaration filing

· Finance capital equipment exports

Secure Export Financing Support

· Obtain working capital loans to fulfill sales orders

· Offer competitive credit terms to foreign buyers

· Protect against buyer default

· Finance capital equipment exports

Expand Your Business Overseas

· Learn how to establish a footprint in an emerging market

· Obtain medium and long-term financing for your overseas project

· Manage political risk in your foreign ventures

All this trade information for only \$59!

Tuesday, November 18, 2003, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Held at:

Memphis Chamber of Commerce

22 North Front Street, Suite 200

Memphis, Tennessee

For more information:

Seminars: Current and Future Seminar Information

Seminar Contact: 202.565.3936, Fax: 202.565.3210

Home Page: www.exim.gov

Register Now!

Register on-line from ExIm\'s website at \"Registration for Seminars\"

Send comments, update your address information or request cancellation
of upcoming seminar at seminars@exim.gov

**Opportunity to meet one-on-one with Market Developer Cooperator
Program (MDCP) Representative from Washington, D.C. (non-profits will be
interested in this!)**

When: November 20 or 21

Where: Mississippi World Trade Center/Jackson, U.S. Export Assistance
Center

MDCP Program Essentials

Program Description

The Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) is a competitive
matching grants program that builds public/private partnerships by
providing federal assistance to non-profit export multipliers such as
states, trade associations, chambers of commerce, world trade centers
and other non-profit industry groups that are particularly effective in
reaching small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). MDCP awards help to
underwrite the start up costs of exciting new export marketing which
these groups are often reluctant to undertake without Federal Government
support.

Annual Funding Level

· Funding available for new awards is \$1.5 million

· Individual award limit of \$400,000

· Funds may be expanded over the period of time required to complete a
project, but the period cannot exceed three years

Matching Funds Requirements

· Each dollar of federal funding requested must be matched on a 2 to 1
basis by the applicant or others participating in the MDCP project.

· The match provided by the applicant must include at least one dollar
of cash outlays for the project for each federal dollar requested. The
balance of the applicant's support may consist of in-kind contributions
or cash.

What an Application Must Include

Core components of the application include the following:

· Background research detailing market potential, competition and
economic situation and prospects that bear upon the ability of country
to import the good(s) or service(s)

· Strategic export marketing plan

· Detailed multi year project budget and budget narrative

· Performance measures applicant will use to assess results

Legislative History

The Congress, early on, recognized the significance and versatility of
the MDCP to accomplish national policy objectives. In addition to the
program's enabling legislation, the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness
Act of 1988, which cited the MDCP as a unique way to "develop, maintain
and expand foreign markets for nonagricultural U.S. goods and services,"
Congress included the MDCP in the Jobs Through Exports Act of 1992 to
generate new jobs, in the Freedom Act of 1992 to help provide technical
assistance to the NIS, in the Jobs Through Trade Expansion Act of 1994
to promote the export of products complying with U.S. environmental and
safety requirements, in the U.S. -- Japan Export Development and
Technological Competitiveness Act of 1994 to increase the number of U.S.
manufacturing and service sector industry associations operating in
Japan, and in the Small Business Export Enhancement Act of 1995 to
increase the number of small businesses participating in export
expansion activities.

**NAFTA Seminar**

When: January 27 and 28

Where: Mississippi World Trade Center/Jackson, U.S. Export Assistance
Center

Details to follow at a later date.

For additional information, contact:

Bill Morris, Director

175 East Capitol Street, Suite 255

Jackson, MS 39201

Phone: 601-965-4130

Fax: 601-965-4132

<Bill.Morris@mail.doc.gov>

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