**The Americas Update**

**June 2004**

**[Export News]{.underline}**

**Brazil-** The Minister of Defense, José Viegas Filho, and American
Ambassador Donna Hrinak, signed the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement
(BASA) on March 22, 2004. The agreement will reduce the economic burdens
of technical inspections, assessments, and redundant tests within the
aeronautical industry.  Environmental testing procedures will be
recognized reciprocally, as will the approval and monitoring process for
flight simulators, aircraft maintenance installations, and flight
operation personnel.

[(IMI
5/14/04)](http://www.buyusainfo.net/info.cfm?id=124601&keyx=99BED610C94E737461CA22D30364890F&dbf=imi1&loadnav=no)

**Canada-** With considerable fanfare, the governments of Canada and the
province of Nova Scotia announced on May 12, 2004 funding approval of
US\$287 million (CAD\$400 million) for the remediation of the Sydney Tar
Ponds (STP) site. This 100-year-old steel mill site is known to harbor
considerable volumes of PCBs and PAHs. Opportunities exist for
incineration technologies, bio-remediation, monitoring & analysis
devices, hazardous waste handling equipment, and other materials related
to this type of project.

[(IMI
5/19/04)](http://www.buyusainfo.net/info.cfm?id=124862&keyx=819DA9E3745B2746D02EFF1CB2D8749A&dbf=imi1&loadnav=no)

**Canada-** Canadians are going all natural. The Canadian market for
natural health products is estimated to generate US\$2 billion in retail
sales in 2004. Following dramatic growth throughout the 1990's the
Canadian market for natural health products, which encompasses vitamins
and minerals, probiotics, herbal remedies and supplements continues to
diversify and grow at steady pace.  U.S. exports make up more than 50%
of Canada's imports of growing market retail sales that should surpass
the USD\$2 billion mark in 2004. Most sales occurred through drug stores
rather than large surface retailers or specialized stores. Other
important tips include being careful of regional differences and
reviewing new regulations. [(ISA
6/20/04)](http://www.buyusainfo.net/info.cfm?id=117457&keyx=4C4C766A4BAFFCE30F452454E4BC7083&dbf=isa1&loadnav=no)

**Chile-** There is an opportunity for U.S. manufacturers of medical
equipment to sell their products to Clinica Indisa in Santiago, Chile.
As a result of the development of a new wing devoted to ambulatory
patients, Santiago\'s Clinica Indisa is seeing its sales up some 12%. In
the second half of this year, Clinica Indisa plans to start
another expansion project - a new building to increase its capacity from
100 to 200 beds. This expansion is expected to be completed by the end
of 2005. [(IMI
6/9/04)](http://www.buyusainfo.net/info.cfm?id=124862&keyx=819DA9E3745B2746D02EFF1CB2D8749A&dbf=imi1&loadnav=no)

**Dominican Republic-** Brazilian Pepsi distributor and beer
manufacturer Ambev has partnered with Embotelladora Dominicana, local
manufacturer and distributor of Pepsi products in the Dominican Republic
to start a new US\$100 million brewery project in Los Alcarrizos (north
of the city of Santo Domingo). Eduard Gil, Project Coordinator at
Embotelladora Dominicana, mentioned opportunities available for U.S.
exporters in the following sectors: refrigeration systems, fire
prevention equipment, air compression systems, beverage storage
containers, safety and security supplies, pipe installation, and water
treatment plants. [(IMI
6/20/04)](http://www.buyusainfo.net/info.cfm?id=125333&keyx=E431129E46CEBDB79564D20B4C515A86&dbf=imi1&loadnav=no&archived=no&addid=)

**Ecuador-** The Ecuadorian market for diagnostic instruments, reagents
and supplies offers good opportunities for U.S. suppliers of these
products as the country\'s largest municipalities and the Social
Security Institute will designate large amounts of money to the purchase
laboratory equipment and supplies. Provision of healthcare services by
the Municipalities of Quito and Guayaquil will create a USD 100 million
business opportunity for suppliers of medical equipment including
laboratory equipment and supplies.  The Social Security Institute will
call for bids to equip and renovate its hospitals in all areas,
including laboratory. [(IMI
6/25/04)](http://www.buyusainfo.net/info.cfm?id=125464&keyx=77BA85BA8AD5DC11C5D530C20D37F744&dbf=imi1&loadnav=no&archived=no&addid=)

**Mexico-** In the Fall of 2003 the swearing in of a new governor and of
new municipal mayors in Monterrey, Nuevo León, brought with them a
vision of change for the bus route systems as well as extensions of the
metro lines. The current public transit system consists of both bus
routes and *Metrorrey*, an underground, ground level, and overhead rail
system. Neither the state nor the city authorities own the bus
transportation systems. These are concessions given by the city
authorities to private companies. US companies that manufacture related
products or can provide new systems and engineering services should
participate in Repcom 2004, to take place in Monterrey and Mexico City
on November 15-19. More information on this event can be found on page 2
of the newsletter under "Trade Events." [(IMI
6/2/04)](http://www.buyusainfo.net/info.cfm?id=125089&keyx=2E35B26E135C8E2B5F8862078BBFFB3B&dbf=imi1&loadnav=no)

**Mexico-** Although Public institutions are not allowed to purchase
used or refurbished equipment, Mexico is still a good market for
refurbished medical equipment offered in good quality conditions, with
warranty and technical support. Clients for this kind of equipment are
mainly medium and small private hospitals that need to comply with
certain equipment requirements to get official certification and do not
have enough resources to purchase new equipment.  Most private doctors
like to have small or portable equipment in their offices and are also
good clients for refurbished medical equipment at good conditions and
price. [(IMI
6/25/04)](http://www.buyusainfo.net/info.cfm?id=117235&keyx=528CE082EEA0A62A57517EAC7E022B28&dbf=isa1&loadnav=no&archived=no&addid=)

**Peru-** Be careful what airline you choose if you're doing business
with Peru. The announcement made on June 1, 2004 of the fifth annual set
of determinations of drug traffickers who will be subject to the
sanctions provided in the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Act included
Fernando Melciades Zevallos Gonzales, owner of the Peruvian airline
company, AeroContinente, its subsidiaries, partner firms as well as
other executives of these companies. Transactions carried out with this
business could cost your company up to \$10 million including time in
prison for any directors or executives knowingly participating in the
violation. [(IMI
6/23/04)](http://www.buyusainfo.net/info.cfm?id=125272&keyx=4B4CCA1146E11AD747A91B76A681D026&dbf=imi1&loadnav=no&archived=no&addid=)

**Uruguay-** The Uruguayan Government and U.S. Customs office are
investigating the possibility of Uruguay's joining the Container
Security Initiative (CSI), through which member ports assure certain
security standards.  CSI would allow the Port of Montevideo to control
and check all container traffic headed to the United States by means of
non-obtrusive container inspection equipment such as X-ray or gamma ray
machines. CS Montevideo has been tracking closely Uruguay's progress of
such tender.  An Uruguayan customs official stated that the Government
of Uruguay has decided to purchase mobile equipment, but they have not
yet decided between a gamma or x-ray system.  Cost of the operation will
be approximately USD 2.5 million. [(IMI
6/14/04) ](http://www.buyusainfo.net/info.cfm?id=125254&keyx=76A5D1B2A63A51AD147E3FED25B78165&dbf=imi1&loadnav=no)

**Venezuela-** Venezuela's civil administration agency INAC (Instituto
Nacional de Aviacion Civil) has contracted the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal to handle all tenders arising
from a large project for improvement of the country's air traffic and
airspace surveillance system. This will be the first of a series of
tenders, all for air traffic control equipment, the modernization of
control towers around the country and for a complete renovation of the
country's air traffic control en-route center as well as for a complete
re-equipping of aeronautical telecommunications facilities. U.S.
companies in this line of business should assure that they are
registered with ICAO in Montreal as manufacturers of air traffic control
equipment as well as the supporting telecommunications and control tower
equipment. [(IMI
5/19/04)](http://www.buyusainfo.net/info.cfm?id=124349&keyx=B9200D25E06424E18963104D49303CFF&dbf=imi1&loadnav=no)

**International Marketing Insights (IMI) are short profiles of specific
market conditions or opportunities prepared in overseas markets and
multi-development banks. For complete reports, contact the nearest
Commercial Service office.**

**[Spotlight-]{.underline} Standards Initiative**

On May 18, 2004 Commerce Secretary Evans released a report to reduce
standards-related trade barriers and called for broader collaboration
across government and with U.S. industry to prevent technical obstacles
that impede U.S. exports.

\"Standards and related technical regulations affect an estimated 80
percent of world trade,\" Evans told an audience of industry and
standards community representatives. \"The recommendations in this
report can improve how we

tackle standards-related issues that distort trade and undermine our
competitiveness.\"

\"We have good news to tell today,\" Evans said, \"and there are more
improvements to come. We\'re committed to ensuring that standards are
fair and responsive to market and technology needs. In many ways, this
is the beginning of a new Commerce partnership with industry to combat
standards as trade barriers to American goods and services.\"

\"In the face of intensifying global competition, neither industry nor
government can be complacent about standards-related issues,\" said
Under Secretary for Technology Phil Bond. \"The Secretary\'s Standards

Initiative emphasizes best practices, provides critical education and
training, expands our early warning tools, and creates greater
collaboration with industry and government. Collectively, these actions
will go a long way towards an effective rapid response system when
standards become trade barriers.\"

The new report, Standards and Competitiveness Coordinating for Results,
contains more than 50 recommendations. The report also summarizes key

industry standards issues in international markets. Some of this
information was gathered from more than 200 industry associations and
standards organizations in 13 industry roundtables convened over the
past year.

The report seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the
Department\'s standards-related programs and policies. Its
recommendations will help the Department identify new opportunities and
better ways to work with the private sector and other U.S. government
agencies on standards-related issues.

In March 2003, Evans launched the Department of Commerce Standards
Initiative, an eight-point plan that responds to industry concerns that
divergent standards, redundant testing and compliance procedures, and

regulatory red tape are becoming one of the greatest challenges to
expanding exports.

To support the new standards initiatives, the Western Hemisphere
Regional Program is calling for each Latin American and Caribbean
country post to undertake the following five basic activities:

1\. Assign one Commercial Officer (CO) and one Commercial Specialist
(CS) at each post.

2\. Produce a short "Post Standards Profile" document --

update annually.

3\. Meet with the principal national standards body (ies) -- public and
private sectors.

4\. Monitor and report on standards- and compliance -- related matters,
via IMIs, CCG section, etc.

5\. Meet with and involve the local AmCham in the standards work.

For more information please contact:

Louis Santamaria

Standards Attaché

Commercial Officer, Mexico City

Email: <Louis.Santamaria@mail.doc.gov>

# Trade Events

**Sao Paulo, Brazil - Telexpo Wireless 2004**

**September 15-16, 2004**

In 2004, Advanstar will hold the fourth edition of Telexpo Wireless,
which became a landmark in the wireless communication market in Brazil
in 2002.

**For more information please contact:**

Brian Brisson, Sao Paulo\
Commercial Officer\
Phone: 55/11/5186-7191\
<Brian.Brisson@mail.doc.gov>

**Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -- Rio Oil & Gas Expo 2004**

**October 4-7, 2004**

Rio Oil & Gas Expo 2004 is the most important Oil & Gas event in Latin
America. This event is organized by the Instituto Brasileiro de Petroleo
(IBP) and will take place at the Riocentro Expo Pavillion. There will be
800 Exhibitors, 35 Foreign Country participants, and 35,000 visitors. US
companies interested in participating as an exhibitor in this show are
encouraged to visit IBP\'s website: www.ibp.org.br

**For more information or to participate in USCS\' Product Literature
Center (PLC) please contact Regina Cunha:**

Regina Cunha

Rio De Janeiro, Senior Commercial Specialist\
Phone: 55-21-2292-7117 ext. 2416

Direct line 55-21-2220-0476\
<Regina.Cunha@mail.doc.gov>

**Santiago, Chile -- 12^th^ International Conference in Biotechnology**

**October 17-22, 2004**

The 12th International Conference in Biotechnology is scheduled to take
place in Santiago, from October 17th to the 22nd, in the CasaPiedra
center. Over 800 scientists from all over the world are expected to
attend the conference to discuss the latest biotechnology advancements.

**For more information please contact**:

Veronica Pinto, Commercial Advisor

U.S. Embassy Santiago, U.S. Commercial Service

Av. Andres Bello 2800 Santiago, Chile 755-0006

Tel: (56-2) 330-3369, Fax: (56-2) 330-3172

Website: www.buyusa.gov/chile/en

**Monterrey and Mexico City, Mexico -- Repcom 2004**

## **November 15-19, 2004**

This is a multi-sector mission to match U.S. suppliers with Mexican
Companies.

**For more information please contact:**

Ernesto de Keratry, Senior Trade Specialist

U.S. Commercial Service

Monterrey, Mexico

<Ernesto.deKeratry@mail.doc.gov>

## 

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