China's Factory Blues

The days of ultra-cheap labor and little regulation are gone. As manufacturers' costs climb, export prices will follow (D. Roberts, BusinessWeek, March 27, 2008).Click on the linkfor complete article.

Dollar Daze in Europe

How the falling greenback is killing jobs and crimping profits on the Continent
(J. Ewing, BusinessWeek, March 20, 2008). Read more

s Colombia the new Ireland?

Learn about the transofrmation happening in Colombia at the following link

U.S. Companies: Are you REACH Ready?

REACH is a new European Union regulation on chemicals use — it represents a major reform of EU chemical policy. U.S. companies who export chemicals, chemical formulations, or articles containing those substances to EU importers should take immediate steps to verify REACH compliance and avoid potential business disruption in the future (Porter, Wright, Morris & Arther, International Law Alert, March 2008). Click on the linkfor complete article

Chamber hosts forum "China Business 2008: Expanding Opportunities for U.S. Companies"

The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will host a two-day series of events in honor of Minister Xie Feng, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the People's Republic of China to the United States.

- Wednesday, March 26, 2008 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Galerie USA
International Happy Hour "A Toast to Spring!", Happy Hour with European Chocolate.

Reservations at www.nkychamber.com

- Thursday, March 27, 2008, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Ft. Mitchell country Club, Ft. Mitchell, KY

Forum "China Business 2008: Expanding Opportunities for U.S. Companies"

Keynote speakers:

- Minister Xie Feng, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the People's Republic of China.
- Ambassador Alan Holmer, Special Envoy for China and the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue. Limited Seating. Reservations at www.nkychamber.com.

For more information, please contact Daniele S. Longo, Vice President, Business Development and International Trade, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce at dlongo@nkychamber.com

Marketing co-sponsors:

- Global Center of Greater Cincinnati
- Greater Cincinnati Chinese Chamber of Commerce
- U.S. Commercial Service, Greater Cincinnati office

Gold Level Sponsor

EU and Central America Conclude Second Round of Association Agreement

The European Union and the six countries that make up the Central American isthmus (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama) enjoy a comprehensive relationship that encompasses political dialogue, co-operation and a favorable trade regime (EU NewsBrief, February 29, 2008). Click on the linkfor complete article.

The Cuban Economy: After the Smoke Clears

For most Cubans, life remains a slog. But here's the surprise: There's plenty of potential for growth in everything from oil exploration to upscale tourism
( G. Smith, Businessweek, February 28, 2008). Click on the link for complete article.

Business leaders unveil new strategies to combat counterfeiting and piracy

Industry leaders from around the world today unveiled new strategies to combat counterfeiting and piracy, including a set of urgent recommendations for a global anti-counterfeiting pact being negotiated by major trading countries. In addition, they called on heads of G8 countries to lead the way in improving national intellectual property enforcement regimes and announced a set of their own in-country initiatives beginning with Canada, Germany, the UK, Russia, China and the United States (International Chambers of COmmerce news, MArch 3rd, 2008). Click on the link for complete article.

Hong Kong - Tax cuts headline good news budget

Hong Kong has waived its duties on wine and alcohol, moving one step closer to becoming a fine wine hub and consolidating its position as an international business hub. The news was among some of the tax cuts, subsidies and investment measures contained in a HK$115.6 billion (US$14.8 billion) budget handout (Hong Kong Trader, 03/03/2008). Click on the link for complete article.

IN KOREA, BIG BUSINESS FOR U.S. SMALL COMPANIES

The removal of Korean trade and regulatory barriers under the U.S.-Korea free trade agreement (FTA) will create huge new opportunities for thousands of small and medium sized U.S. enterprises (SMEs) whose success and growth depend on open and fair foreign markets.

As new U.S. trade data shows, Korea is a rapidly growing market for U.S. SMEs*:

In 2005, 89 percent of U.S. companies exporting to Korea were SMEs, including over 16,850 U.S. SMEs from every U.S. state. U.S. SME exports to Korea, over $8.2 billion that year, were one-third of total U.S. exports with Korea. U.S. SME exports to all countries were 29 percent of total U.S. exports.


Six hundred and twenty-one more U.S. SMEs exported to Korea in 2005 than in 2004. This growth was the second-largest among the United States' top ten trading partners. Also, U.S. SME exports to Korea grew by over $500 million from 2004 to 2005.


On average, a U.S. SME exports some $500,000 in products to Korea. This revenue creates jobs and stimulates economic activity in communities all across the United States.

The U.S. Dollar: Still Going Down

The dollar's weakness does a lot more than alter your vacation plans—and there's good news and bad news in the currency's decline (P.Coy, Businessweek, February 29, 2008. Click on the link for complete article.