World Trade - December 2008 - (Page 42)

SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGY Photo by Ian Wagreich / U.S. Chamber of Commerce Florida Sen. Mel Martinez answers questions with Colombian Ambassador Carolina Barco during a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Traderoots forum on the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. arrange appointments in advance,” Balogh says. A driver and translator can even be provided. Export Institute Another valuable program available through NAM is its Export Institute (EI). EI provides training through six extensive online modules that can be purchased either a la carte or as a package. These detailed packages give SMMs a complete, step-by-step insight about the total export process, including learning how to price competitively for export, negotiate and write export contracts, secure export licenses, ship overseas, sell in foreign currencies, and guarantee payment. Also available in hard copy and CD is the “Export Sales and Marketing Manual”—considered the Bible for exporting. “We also have CDs containing listings of 150,000 agents with buyers in 175 countries,” Akman adds. “SMMs can buy the whole thing, or buy a segment on a speciﬁc country or countries, purchase by industry sector.” Chamber support The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the largest business network in the world, offers Trade Routes (www.traderoots.org), an aggressive outreach program to promote U.S. exports. “We offer education programs throughout the country on general trade issues, specially free trade agreements, to help companies understand their beneﬁts, why markets are open, how these agreements take duties down to zero, well as transportation issues,” states Leslie Schweitzer, Chamber senior trade advisor. 42 WORLD TRADE DECEMBER 2008 Currently, the Chamber is addressing potential trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and Korea. Another current series is how to do business in China and India, again offered in local communities. “We want companies to understand what local, state, and federal resources are available,” she says. “We are also talking a great deal with successful companies in those communities so that they can mentor others. The program is very hands-on.” The goal is to help local chambers of commerce become resources for SMMs. Schweitzer adds that companies should also interact with local and state economic development agencies and World Trade Centers, which are in constant contact with businesses that are expanding and looking for opportunities in both import and export. “We encourage our chamber network to compliment their resources with those that already exist,” she says. “The governor of Alabama’s ofﬁce is a good example. It offers one of the most active export programs, and also a successful foreign direct investment program.” The Chamber also offers books on each trade agreement the U.S. government has signed with other countries. Ex-Im Bank SMMs considering exporting to emerging markets can engage the help of the U.S. Export-Import Bank (ExIm). While Ex-Im is associated with assisting with the ﬁnance of large projects, 80 percent of its transactions involve SMMs. “We characterize ourselves as the bank of last resort,” http://www.traderoots.org http://www.traderoots.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of World Trade - December 2008

World Trade - December 2008 Contents The Promise of Peril The Current Reality with IP in China Supply Chain Watch Tradewinds Performance Partners: Awards of Excellence Managing With Mobility What 2009 Bodes for the Supply Chain Small Business Takes to Export Green is Here for Good Fast Fashion

World Trade - December 2008

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