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Apr 26

International Patent Filings Set New Record in 2011

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Michael Czinkota

Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

Despite difficult economic conditions, international patent filings under the WIPO-administered Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) set a new record in 2011 with 181,900 applications – a growth of 10.7% on 2010 and the fastest growth since 2005. China, Japan and the United States of America (US) accounted for 82% of the total growth. Chinese telecommunications company ZTE Corporation was the biggest filer of PCT applications in 2011. Among the top filing countries, PCT applications from China (+33.4%), Japan (+21%), Canada (+8.3%), the Republic of Korea (+8%) and the US (+8%) saw the fastest growth in 2011.

Source: WIPO http://www.wipo.int/sme.

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Apr 25

Global Transportation Issues To Keep In Mind

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Michael Czinkota

An important aspect of the global supply chain is that of physical distribution and transportation mode choice. Transportation is one major factor to consider because it determines how and when goods will be received. It can be further divided into three components: infrastructure, the availability of modes, and the choice of modes among the given alternatives. It is the role of the international manager to then understand the transportation infrastructures in other countries and the various modes of transportation. The choice of these modes will depend on the customer’s demands and the firm’s transit time, predictability, and cost requirements. In addition, noneconomic factors, such as government regulations, weigh heavily in this decision.

Source: Czinkota, Michael R., Ilkka A. Ronkainen, and Michael H. Moffett. Fundamentals of International Business. Mason, OH: Thomson/South-Western, 2004. 311.

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Apr 18

The Next Generation Needs Vision and Commitment

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Michael Czinkota

Source: World Economic Forum

April 18, 2012 marks the end of the World Economic Forum on Latin America 2012 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It concluded with a call to end “archaic thinking, outdated notions of hierarchy and the lack of dedication to excellence in education,” while promoting a “commitment to education, inclusion, social responsibility and sustainable growth” amongst young leaders.

For Latin American businesses to thrive in the global economy and in environments where there is distrust or even hostility towards private enterprise, they must be solidly focused on engaging stakeholders and incorporating the communities in which they operate into their business models. With Latin American student performing poorly in educational benchmarking assessment, the importance of raising the quality of education amongst these countries was made. In addition, the role of the Internet, social media and other communications technology was strongly emphasized. They are means that are becoming essential for stakeholder engagement and for creating conversations between people.

For more information about the meeting, please visit:www.weforum.org/latinamerica2012.
Source:http://www.weforum.org/news/next-generation-latin-american-leaders-needs-vision-and-commitment

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Apr 17

Benefits of the U.S. – Colombian Trade Promotion Agreement

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Michael Czinkota

Source: USTR

The U.S. – Colombia trade agreement is crucial in maintaining the U.S. share of this important market. It plays an integral part of the President’s efforts to increase opportunities for U.S. businesses, farmers, ranchers, and workers through improved access for their products and services in foreign markets. The Agreement supports the President’s National Export Initiative goal of doubling of U.S. exports. It will also enhance the competitiveness of both small and large U.S. businesses in Colombia’s growing economy.

In hopes of a greater number of U.S. exports, more American jobs, and enhanced U.S. competitiveness the agreement allows for significant barriers to U.S. goods entering Colombia’s market to be removed. In order to do so, it requires that there be expanded access to services market, greater protection for intellectual property rights, commitments to protect labor rights, commitments to protect the environment, fair and open government procurement, and a level playing field for U.S. investors.

To read more about the benefits associated with the U.S.-Colombian Trade Promotion Agreement, click here.

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Apr 13

Challenges Faced By Manufacturers Today


Posted on April 13, 2012 by Michael Czinkota

Source: USCIB

USCIB members took part in a panel discussion at the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Regulators Forum on March 30 in Singapore, drawing attention to some of the challenges manufacturers face in many countries with respect to chemicals regulation, which is having an increasing impact on downstream users of chemicals.

For the past several years the APEC Chemical Dialogue has discussed how best to contribute to APEC’s overarching goals of trade liberalization and business facilitation throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

The discussion this time around was productive, with a consensus among participants that regulating chemicals in articles is a complicated matter, and that further discussion on the topic is needed. It revolved around how various industries are dealing with the need to communicate substances in articles along the supply chain.

To read more on the subject, click here.

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Apr 12

The Digital Economy – Importance for Business Development

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Michael Czinkota

Source: ICC

Over 40 digital economy experts from 14 countries gathered at ICC headquarters in Paris this week to discuss business priorities relating to the information and communication technologies (ICT) and Internet policy landscape.

The two-day meeting of the ICC Commission on the Digital Economy, included discussion on topics ranging from the development of new technologies and discussed market developments and evolutions, to the full expanse of Internet-related policy matters.

Herbert Heitman, Executive Vice-President of External Communications at Royal Dutch Shell and Chair of the Digital Economy Commission led the meeting and stressed the importance of business engagement in ICT and Internet issues.

To read the full article, click here.

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Apr 11

How the New OECD Recommendation Will Boost Economic Growth and Create Private Sector Employment

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Michael Czinkota

Source: USCIB and OECD

BIAC, the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD, part of USCIB’s global network, welcomed a new OECD recommendation to improve regulatory policy and governance and called for credible government action to effectively implement the recommendation’s principles.

The effective implementation of the new OECD recommendation could not only restore confidence in governments, but also help boost economic growth and create private sector employment. It provides the organization with an instrument with great potential to assist countries to improve the quality of regulation.

The recommendation rightly emphasizes the principles of open government and consultation with and engagement of stakeholders in the regulatory process, regulatory oversight and political accountability, the use of regulatory impact analysis and, in particular, the consideration of all regulatory costs including indirect costs, and systematic evaluation of regulations after they are adopted.

The text of the OECD recommendation is available here.

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Apr 10

The U.S. and E.U. Are Setting New Trends.

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Michael Czinkota

Source: USTR

Today, the United States and the European Union (EU), under the auspices of the Transatlantic Economic Council, announced an agreement on Shared Principles for International Investment, which reaffirms our commitment to open, transparent, and non-discriminatory international investment policies. International investment, both by American companies abroad and by foreign companies in the United States, benefits U.S. companies and American workers by creating high-paying jobs, boosting exports, and spurring innovation in the United States.

The principles embody a number of shared core values, including a commitment to open and non-discriminatory investment policies, a level competitive playing field, strong protections for investors and their investments, neutral and binding international dispute settlement, strong rules on transparency and public participation, responsible business conduct, and narrowly-tailored reviews of national security considerations. The joint statement recognizes that governments can fully embrace these principles without compromising their ability to regulate in the public interest.

To access the statement, click here.

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