Comment:
Latin America had had an approach to Europe regarding certification programs, specially throughout the Euroepan Software Institute. There are programs in place funded by different multilateral institutions which enable training in some countries. Normally those programs are performed by academic institutions along with public economic development agencies. Those networks can lead us to entrepreneurs willing to certify their companies preparing them for internationalization. We should start contacting my friend Dr. Jose Gregogio Silva at Universidad de Los Andes in Venezuela, and explaining to him about our city and our project.
Comment:
Biotechnology is by definition “Any technological application that uses biological system, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use.” or in other words “Application of scientific and technical advances in life science to develop commercial products.”
In the region of Uruguay Biotechnology is of great impact on their economic platform. The economy in Uruguay is mainly driven by agriculture and livestock, two main areas for the develop of Biotechnology, another main application of biotechnology is the health care department.
Uruguay is part of Biotecsur, which is the biotechnology platform of Mercosur. Biotecsur most important cooperator is the European Union. According to Biotecsur there are 13 major research centres in Uruguay and about 15 Programs that provide finances for research.
During the month of May of this year, Uruguay and Cuba closed a deal to cooperate with each other in the Biotechnology development of pharmaceutics, the collaboration treaty were signed by the Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, of Cuba, and the Universidad de la Republica and the Pasteur and Clemente institute, of Uruguay. They will be working on the fields of Oncological treatment, and a several number of complex illness especially diabetes.
n the Agricultural side, Uruguay has currently three authorized biotech cultivates for production and commercialization in Uruguay:
1) Soja-40-3-2 : That produces a tolerance to the herbicide glifosato.
2) Maiz MON 810: corn resistant to lepidopteros insects .
3) Maiz Bt11: corn resistant to lepidopteros insects .
In the year 2009, the camara Uruguaya de Semillas approved 5 new projects were to do evaluation tests on corn plantations; Also there were approved 5 other events to test new soja seeds for exportation purposes.
In 2010, 3 news projects were approved to evaluation tests on corn and 2 on soja; and 6 other events for exportation purposes. All of this experiments and tests are conducted by Yalfin S.A, Monsanto Uruguay S.A, Rutilan S.A, Reyland S.A, Sinalod S.A. , and Hinkely S.A.
The INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigacion Agropecuaria ) approved 8 for value chain (cultivos de secano, arroz, producion de leche, produccion de carne y lana, produccion forestal, produccion horticola, produccion fruticola y produccion citricola) And 3 national programs on strategic areas (Pasturas y forrajes, produccion familiar, produccion y sustentabilidad ambiental)
Websites for references:
http://www.biotecsur.org/bases-de-datos/catalogo-de-instituciones
http://www.inia.org.uy/online/site/213864I1.php
www.cus.org.uy/biotecnologia/cultivos-aprobados#cultivo
Comment:
Peru is currently experiencing growth from a prolonged surge in demand for frozen fish, fish oil and fishmeal, the last of which is used to as feed stock for hatcheries and fisheries around the world. In conjunction with the country's broad-based economic ascendance, this is driving a rapid maturation of Peru's mainly anchovy fishing industry. The sector is far advanced from the unregulated, atomized state it was in just four years ago. Fishmeal producers leave behind a checkered past that includes allegations of environmental abuse and a reputation for informality and lawlessness.
"Fish [products] are the number two source of foreign exchange earnings in Peru,"
Rapid consolidation has swept through Peru's fishing industry in the last three years as prices rise and competition increases. That has left six aggressive players duking it out on the high seas. Tecnológica de Alimentos (TASA) the privately held fishery belonging to Grupo Brescia, is by far the sector's largest, followed by Copeinca, Diamante, Grupo Hayduk, Exalmar and Austral. These top six companies now control 42% of Peru's fish exports, according to COMEXPERU.
Peru is the first fish meal producer in the world, and this accounts for more than 80% of returns from fishing exports. Peruvian fishing fleet is primarily devoted to capture Peruvian anchovy, which is used for producing fish meal, and very few ships fish species for human consumption. Peru has little influence on international prices since fish meal only accounts for 10% of the components of balanced animal food, and it may be eventually replaced by soybeans.
Source: LatinFinance; Sep2008 Category: General Information
Comment:
A virus called Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA) is threatening the trade. Although Chile's bounty of salmon increased by 12.3 percent in 2008 to 445,000 tons, some major producers predict that output may plunge 40 to 60 percent in 2009 and 2010. Experts inside and outside the fish-farming industry blame the spread of the contagion on poor environmental and sanitary practices.
Clean up and recovery could take as long as five years. The government has launched a rescue plan that consists of US$450 million in direct financial aid, coupled with sweeping new rules, while banks are offering to modify loans owed by the ailing industry.
Financial analysts forecast consolidation among producers. Widespread layoffs are expected to devastate southern Chile's coastal communities, where fish farming in the Reloncaví Gulf and the Chiloé Archipelago currently employs 56,000 workers, most of them women.
This is the result of two decades of expansion without regulation.
Source: Latin Trade (English); May/Jun2009 Category: General Information
Comment:
The Brazilian confectionery market generated total revenues of $3.9 billion in 2007, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8% for the period spanning 2003-2007.
Market volumes increased with a CAGR of 1.7% between 2003-2007, to reach a total of 603.2 million kilograms in 2007.
The performance of the market is forecast to decelerate, with an anticipated CAGR of 2.5% for the five-year period 2007-2012, which is expected to drive the market to a value of $4.4 billion by the end of 2012.
Sugar Confectionery attributed to 50% of this market, and Chocolate comprised 33.1%.
The Brazilian food market has few larger supermarket chains dominating, but the most prominent distribution channels in this country are independents, with smaller scale operations
most retailers in this market offer a wide variety of foods, as confectionery is only a small part of their total product range.
Much of the cocoa-based raw material is sourced within Far Eastern, West African and South American equatorial regions.
reasonably high levels of capital are generally required in order to set up production facilities, because most confectionery products are mass-marketed, and must be manufactured in significant volume (However, it is also possible to enter the market on a smaller scale, for example, by making high-value, low-volume products in a craft process rather than a mechanized process).
Comment:
The confectionery market in Mexico generated 3.1 billion in 2008 representing a compound growth rate of 2.4% for the period spanning 2003-2007.
Cereal bar sales dominated this market comprising 44.8% of the overall value, and chocolate followed with 33.6%.
The growth rate of this market is expected to decelerate with a CAGR of 2.2% from 2007-2012 with an expected value at the end of this period of 3.5 billion
the most prominent distribution channels for confectionery products are from independents, whose smaller scale operations result in weakened buyer power.
most retailers in this market offer a wide variety of foods. As confectionery is only a small part of their total product range
Suppliers to this market are cocoa farmers and producers of the various other raw materials.
Much of the cocoa-based raw material is sourced within Far Eastern, West African and South American equatorial regions.
It is possible to enter the Mexican confectionery market either as an entirely new company, or as a company established in another business that diversifies to include confectionery. In either case, reasonably high levels of capital are generally required in order to set up production facilities, because most confectionery products are mass-marketed, and must be manufactured in significant volume
Many of the existing brands are strong, and consumers may be unwilling to move away from their favorites - this means that it may be difficult to persuade retail buyers to add a new player's products to their shelves, and coupled with low market growth this will deter new entrants.
Comment:
In 2006 Latin American had the highest growth in the confectionery sales in Latin America increased by 23%. (This is more than any other continent.
Eastern Europe and Latin America will record the highest snack bar gains with sales up 30% and 55% from 2006-2011. Snack bars are rapidly expanding their consumer base in Brazil and Venezuela. There is some expansion in the US but these are more related to granola bars and other healthy bars, than chocolate ones.
Brazil and Mexico are ranked as 8 and 10 on the top 10 biggest confectionery markets.
Comment:
A customs broker licensed by the Government of Panama must clear imported merchandise through customs. Exceptions are made for goods which are imported duty free, consigned to national or municipal governments, imported by foreign diplomats, sold to the authorities of the Canal Areas, sold to vessels transiting the Canal, or intended for re-export.
Basic Import Documentation required by the Panamanian Customs office
Import Declaration (Prepared, and signed by a Customs Broker)
Commercial Invoice (To be presented in English or Spanish in quadruplicate)
Airway Bill
Bill o Lading {To be presented in triplicate)
Commercial License Number
Phytosanitary Certificate (In case of meat products)
Certificate of Free Sale (if required)
Any food product or other item used for human consumption (including for use on human skin or clothes) may be subject to the Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) documentation requirement. The main purpose of the CFS is to prevent the dumping of inferior goods, especially for human consumption, on the Panamanian market.
If for any reason the bill of lading or any other required document cannot be presented within 24 hours after the shipment has arrived, posting a bond equal to the amount of import duties will permit clearance of the goods. The bond is cancelled if the prescribed documents are presented in due form within a period of 90 days. The bond may be extended in justified cases, an additional 90 days.
Panama's tariff duties are the lowest in the region averaging 9%
In 1998, the Panama government reduced the import tariff ceiling to 15%, with some exemptions for agricultural products and a few others (i.e. Automobiles).
Panama is a full member of the WTO but its import duties are significantly lower than the one negotiated for the WTO accession.
Customs Valuation
Import Duties are assessed on an “ad-valorem” basis, using the declared C.I.F. Value as the basis for import duty calculations, and in some cases, historical price.
In addition to the duty, all imports are subject to a 5% transfer value tax (ITBM) levied on the C.I.F. Value, plus import duty, and other handling charges. Pharmaceutical, foods and school supplies are exempt from the IBTM tax.
Import Licenses
No import licenses are required in Panama. Any company holding a commercial license can freely import goods into Panama. A commercial or Industrial license is required by companies engaging in these activities.
Comment:
In June, Canada’s 13 consul generals met with American reporters to express their growing anxiety about the legislation, which has already canned a number of Canadian contracts, partly over confusion about what’s allowable and what’s not under the provision.
Specifically, while the provision states that stimulus money can only be spent on American-made iron, steel, and manufactured goods, there is an exception for countries (like Canada) that have an international trade deal with the U.S. However, the provision has caused some confusion for states and municipalities that, of course, aren’t covered by trade deals, and are therefore left wondering if they can buy only wholly U.S.-made products. News reports state that in various U.S. cities, mayors have canceled contracts or questioned bids. At a Marine camp in California, for instance, wastewater equipment made by IPEX, a Canadian firm, was ripped from the ground.
In June, Mayor Rick Bonnette convinced the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to pass a resolution saying that, in 120 days, towns and cities could begin barring materials from any nation that refuses goods from Canada.
Comment:
Fed-Ex Freight and UPS are considered to be the largest providers of freight forwarding from the US to Mexico. The Mexican Government still has tight reins on what comes into the country. LTL has to be delivered to a Mexican forwarder-broker located on the US side of the border, and they inspect the merchandise and papers to assure the government gets its duties.
You can also use direct service from a US destination to a Mexican one where a Mexican forwarder takes over on the other side. (In Fed-Ex's case, its Mexican dedicated carrier partner “Autolineas America").
Source: www.WorldTradeMag.com Feb 25, 2009 pg 29 Category: Logistics
Comment:
Los importadores de productos agropecuarios deberán registrar sus datos en los bancos privados autorizados por el Banco Central del Ecuador, en el documento denominado: "Tarjeta de Identificación", que a su vez deberá ser enviado al Banco Emisor.
Comment:
Todas las mercancías que ingresen o que salen de México deben destinarse a un régimen aduanero, establecido por el contribuyente, de acuerdo con la función que se le va a dar en territorio nacional o en el extranjero.
Cuando una mercancía es presentada en la aduana para su ingreso o salida del país, se debe informar en un documento oficial (pedimento) el destino que se pretende dar a dicha mercancía.
Nuestra legislación contempla seis regímenes con sus respectivas variantes: definitivos; temporales, de depósito fiscal; de tránsito de mercancías; de elaboración, transformación o reparación en recinto fiscalizado y de recinto fiscalizado estratégico.
Comment:
Aquí podrá encontrar la información que usted necesita para una buena programación de sus operaciones de importación y exportación de su mercancía.
Comment:
According to Datamonitor's Logistics Industry Profile for Spain, DHL Forwarding is the County's largest freight forwarding company, and assumedly extremely prominant in most other countries well. The DHL Freight and DHL Global Forwarding division comprises international air and ocean freight as well as European overland transportation services. DHL Global Forwarding is one of the market leaders in the air and ocean freight business. It provides freight forwarding services, including customs brokerage, and logistics services, including warehousing and distribution. In addition, it offers customized solutions for major logistics projects and comprehensive customs services.
Quotes can be obtained from the following link - http://www.dhl-dgf.com/
Comment:
The ITL provides information and links related to international trade law. The ITL presents the full texts and where relevant country implementation details of several of the most important conventions and other documents used in International trade.
Comment:
(OTTAWA) – July 23, 2009 – Export Development Canada (EDC) and Halifax-based Maple Trade Finance Inc. (MTF) have partnered to enhance financial support for small- and medium-sized manufacturers and exporters across Canada.
The new product, the Portfolio Guarantee, is intended to make working capital more accessible to Canadian exporters by providing a guarantee of up to 50 per cent of any loan that services a signed purchase order up to $500,000.
“The portfolio guarantee program with MTF is a timely solution for companies that have demonstrated export sales strength but are having a hard time accessing financing because of the credit crunch,” said Benoit Daignault, Senior Vice-President of Business Development at EDC. “EDC is pleased to be working with MTF on this new product, which we believe is needed by Canadian companies to grow their export sales.”
Carole-Ann Miller, President of MTF, welcomed the partnership with EDC.
“Maple Trade is proud to have been selected by EDC to be its partner in providing the Portfolio Guarantee program,” she said. “Working with EDC, we are confident that, together, we can provide essential support in an efficient manner to grow Canadian exports during the years ahead.”
The Portfolio Guarantee program is a joint pilot project of EDC and MTF. It is open to Canadian companies that have been in operation for at least two years with a minimum of $5 million in sales revenues, or for whom export revenues exceed 15 per cent of total revenues. The guarantee can reach up to 50 per cent of a company's total purchase order loan portfolio, up to $1 million.
The loan guarantee will be provided by EDC, which has authorized MTF to receive and process applications under the program.
EDC is Canada's export credit agency, offering innovative commercial solutions to help Canadian exporters and investors expand their international business. EDC's knowledge and partnerships are used by more than 8,300 Canadian companies and their global customers in up to 200 markets worldwide each year. EDC is financially self-sustaining, a recognized leader in financial reporting and economic analysis, and has been recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for eight consecutive years.
Maple Trade Finance is an innovative financial institution. The company has taken the best of the conventional banking industry, combined it with the flexibility of traditional factoring companies and created a fresh new approach to funding Canadian companies. Maple Trade Finance is a unique company driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and an understanding of the practical issues facing Canadian businesses.
DIRECTLY QUOTED FROM EDC WEBSITE-- may be worth researching further to see if we can capitalize on it
Source: EDC Canada Category: Business Opportunities
Comment:
This database contains information on only those Regional Trade agreements that have either been notified, or for which an early announcement has been made, to the World Trade Organization
Comment:
Mercosur membership dictates many tariffs, but although it is the second largest customs union in the world after the EU, it is nowhere near as harmonised.
Tariffs rates range from 0-35%, charged on the cost insurance freight (CIF).
In 2002, Brazil’s average applied tariff was 17%. Mercosur implemented its common external tariff (CET) in 1995, which imposed a ceiling of 20%. In 1998, a further three percentage-point rise in all tariffs was imposed, raising the CET ceiling to 23%, in response to the regional crisis triggered by Argentina’s financial collapse. This surcharge is gradually being removed as economic conditions in the region improve.
There are three main import taxes. Import duty, a product-specific tax that ranges from 10-20%. The industrialised product tax (IPI) is a federal tax on most imported and domestic goods, and is paid at point of customs clearance for imports. This is not seen as a cost of the importer as the importer debits the charge when the product is sold on to the end user. This tax usually falls in the 0-15% range.
The merchandise and service circulation tax (ICMS) is a state government VAT on both domestic and imported products. The rate varies across states. In the most developed states it is 18%. Importers pay this on customs clearance, but it is debited as part of the final price to the end-user. Some industries are exempt, mainly in the energy and construction sectors.
Customs clearance is extremely slow and in need of reform.
Source: Business Monitor International, May 2009 Category: Trading Regulations
Comment:
BMI has set its forecast for annual average growth in shipping freight over the 2009-2013 period at 5.6%.
The overall freight picture is encouraging although work to improve and repair the highway network is still lagging – as road haulage will grow by an average of 4.3%. The largely privatized rail freight sector will do better, aided by Brazil’s commodity export performance, particularly in mining. The rail freight growth figure in 2009-2013 will average of 5.1% annually.
Brazil Freight Transport Report - BMI has set its forecast for annual average growth in shipping freight over the 2009-2013 period at 5.6%
Foreign trade still represents only around 20% of GDP,
Cargo traffic is expected to decrease by 5%, following a drop of 1.5% in 2008. IATA also updated its forecast for 2008 to a loss of US$5.0bn.
The total value of transport and communications GDP will rise to US$124.7bn in nominal terms by 2013, representing 5.4% of Brazil’s GDP. The transport and communications sector employed 4.725mn people, or 4.9% of the labour force, in 2008. We see these figures rising to 6.0mn and 5.4% by 2013.
Source: Business Monitor International May 2009 Category: Logistics
Comment:
In Mexico, all exports and imports are done with an application for export/import (known as a "pedimento"). The company must be registered as an exporter (in the case of export) and an importer (in the case of import) with the Federal Taxation authority of Mexico "Hacienda" (Secretariat of Hacienda and Public Credit / "Secretaría de Hacienda y Credito Público").
In addition to the application for import or export, the exporter must check to see if a license is needed to import or export, and if so, then he must acquire it prior to import or export, as the case may be. As well, if for import, the importer must verify whether there is any duty payable for the import, and if so, he must pay it.
Under/Over $2,500.00US. All businesses in the US must file under a general or validated export license if the company is transporting more than $2,500 Dls worth of items out of the U.S. in the shipment (to Mexico). All businesses in Mexico that wish to export more than $1,000US (I believe - must be confirmed) must file for export with a customs broker licensed as such in Mexico (the US also has customs brokers that can handle the import/export from the US side)..
Customs Broker. The Federal Government of Mexico licenses persons that have shown (by examination) their ability to handle the customs brokerage activity on behalf of the general public. The customs brokers are private parties (not government agents) that are in the business of assisting private parties and businesses in their importation/exportation activities, by performing filings, obtaining permits and paying duties, as needed.See Customs Brokers below.
Filings, Permits and Duties. The general rule on imports to Mexico is that there will be a need of a filing ("Pedimento") and possibly the payment of a duty and/or the acquisition of an import permit.
Bonded Warehouses. Mexico permits the existence of bonded warehouses, under the control of Customs. When the Mexican goods are placed in one of these bonded warehouses it is considered as having been exported from Mexico. This bonded warehouse procedure will permit the Mexican exporter to seek certain tax incentives at the time of deposit.
Argentina
Brazil
Mexico
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Spain
Venezuela
Uruguay
Peru
Panama
United States
Canada
Ecuador
Bolivia