Would you believe it, Wade Trade News is ten years old this year, which makes it the longest established import-export eletter in the world! Of course, a lot has happened since 2002 when world trade was booming. Opportunities might be a little harder to find now than they were back then. But you can rely on us to help you by bringing you news you can use and free tips and advice every month. Here at Wade we've big plans for our courses in 2012 too - watch this space and you'll be the first to find out!

Now on with this month's bulletin. We've got news and leads for Germany, China, Central America, and France, two useful sites for finding new trade leads and help with understanding those all important import-export terms.

German exports set to grow through crisis
German exports are still expected to grow in 2012, despite the financial crisis in the Eurozone countries and the poor state of the world economy, according to a recent report from the German trade association BGA. The BGA said that Germany's exports are likely to grow 6% this year, after enjoying an estimated 12% growth in 2011.

The BGA said that the figures are to some extent dependent on what happens in the Eurozone countries - as 60% of the country's exports now go to European Union countries. However it also said that trade outside the EU would help grow foreign trade regardless of this. The BGA said that trade with larger developing countries like China and India as well as smaller economies such as Peru, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia would become increasingly important in the future.

China will import more and keep exports steady
The Chinese Government is to provide more financial support for exporters - so said Vice-Premier Wang Qishan when he met Chinese importers and exporters during a recent visit to Shenyang, and according to a report in the China Daily News. Import and export companies will also see their taxes reduced, it was reported.

Zhong Shan, Deputy Minister of Commerce, also said that the Ministry will try to sustain exports of China's traditional low-cost exports, while encouraging the export of higher-value-added products too. The Ministry will also remove some of the barriers involved in importing into China and make it easier to bring goods and services into the country to supply rising domestic demand from Chinese consumers, he said.

Experts believe that China is likely to see weakening demand for its exports in 2012 due to economic problems worldwide - and particularly from Europe, China's most important market for exports - but that China will become an increasingly important market for world exporters.

Mexico & Central America Free Trade Area announced
Mexico and five Central American countries have recently announced the formation of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which could eventually comprise a single market of over 150 million consumers. Representatives from Mexico as well as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua signed a statement bringing the FTA into force in the city of Merida, Mexico, recently. The agreement provides a framework for the free trading of goods and services between all the six countries.

Partly as a result of the recession in the USA Mexico, which has become an increasingly important manufacturing country, is looking to develop more trade links with Central and South America instead.

Useful Resource: Export Bureau
Export Bureau is an online worldwide trade directory that can help you find mainly manufacturing companies worldwide. There are descriptions of each manufacturer plus website addresses and email contacts. All major industrial sectors including: Agriculture. Electronics. Metals & Minerals. Apparel & Fashion. Energy. Office Supplies. Arts & Crafts. Entertainment. Packaging & Paper. Beauty & Jewellery. Food & Beverage. Security & Protection. Chemical & Plastics. Furniture. Sports Equipment. Computer Hardware. Home Supplies. Telecommunications. Computer Software. Industrial & Equipment. Textiles. Construction. Machinery. Toys. Electrical. Medical & Health. Transport & Vehicles. Website: http://www.exportbureau.com

Useful Resource: MFG.com
MFG.com is an online sourcing tool that can help you find manufacturers worldwide. They say that 87% of Fortune 100 manufacturing companies and hundreds of thousands of small and medium-sized manufacturing businesses use MFG.com. It's particularly suitable for tracing manufacturers of components and parts worldwide. Although it is a subscription service it does offer a free trial. Website: http://www.mfg.com

 

International trade terms explained: Transhipment
This is a term that is used to describe a shipment that has been moved through, imported, transferred, or unloaded in one or more intermediate countries (other than the exporting country) prior to import into the final destination country. A transhipment may therefore also have to undergo the import-export procedures of the country which it is shipped through on its journey as well as at its final destination.

Firmafrance
Firmafrance.com calls itself the official French exporters' B2B directory, powered by Ubifrance and officially endorsed by the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry of France. Dedicated to foreign companies seeking reliable suppliers and partners in France, it is a way of finding business opportunities online. Their database brings together 15,000 leading French exporting companies and the site provides breaking news, worldwide events and useful trade links. All services are free of charge. I suspect a few of the contacts might be out of date, but this is a real treasure trove of contacts if you want to do business with France. Website:
http://www.firmafrance.com

Incoterms Made Simple!
You might know about the Incoterms or abbreviations that are used in international trade, such as FAS and DDU. But do you know how to remember them easily? Here's how!

Terms starting with F indicate that the seller must hand over the goods to a nominated carrier FREE of risk and expense to the buyer. It is the buyer's responsibility to arrange and pay for the main carriage and associated costs. Terms starting with C indicate the seller must bear certain COSTS even after the point where title or ownership has passed. Under the C terms the seller arranges and pays for the main contract of carriage. Terms starting with D indicate that the goods must arrive at a stated DESTINATION. Under the D Terms the seller undertakes to arrange and pay for the main contract of carriage and associated costs including insurance. Easy when you know how!

 

More Help With Import-Exporting
Remember that Wade Trade News is just a very small part of our service in helping you start and run a successful import-export business. If you need more help or information on the products Wade World Trade has for you, including our famous courses, our website is open 24/7 - call in and visit us anytime at http://www.wadetrade.com

Kind Regards

Mark Hempshell
Editor