Dear Subscriber

Welcome to the February edition of Wade Trade News - Wade World Trade's own monthly bulletin bringing you news on developments and opportunities in international trade that are worthy of your attention. Read on now for important news about trading with Lebanon, Indonesia, Kaliningrad (Russia), Japan and Gambia and details of a legal website you'll find handy.

World Economy Set To Grow In 2006
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Despite fears over oil prices, bird flu and the nuclear situation in Iran the global economy will be buoyant in 2006 and may exceed 2005's strong growth rate, according to leaders of the central banks of the world's major industrial nations. Meeting in Switzerland recently, the G10 group of central bankers said that the global economy is proving very resilient, global growth was 'dynamic' and that last year's surge in oil prices have so far failed to restrain worldwide economic growth. European Central Bank head Jean-Claude Trichet confirmed 'World trade will continue to develop at a significant pace and perhaps also even accelerate slightly in 2006.' He also made an indirect call for nations to secure agreement on a new global free trade deal, saying 'I would mention in this forum of central banks that there is a very, very strong sentiment to avoid protectionism as something that is necessary for global prosperity.'

Easier Exports From Lebanon
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The head of the Lebanese Industrialists Association (LIA) has said the Government' s decision to significantly cut the export fees through the country's main port will boost Lebanese industries and make them more competitive in the region. Fadi Abboud said an official 'follow-up committee' had been formed to implement the Government's recent decision to reduce export fees per 20-foot container from the current price of US$500 to around US$200. Abboud added that the decision included reducing the amount of bureaucracy for exporters by easing paperwork procedures and reducing the export documentation process from 23 steps to just four steps. 
 
The Republic of Lebanon's official Ministry of Economy & Trade site is at www.economy.gov.lb. TerraNet (www.terra.net.lb) which describes itself as 'Lebanon's most appealing information and entertainment portal' is good for news, information and links.

Indonesia Plans To Expand Fish Export
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The Indonesian Government plans to expand the fish export industry with the aim of earning US$3.2 billion from it in 2006, a senior official in Jakarta said recently. The target is 33.3% higher than the achieved revenue of US$2.39 billion in 2005, according to Minister of Maritime and Fisheries Freddy Numberi. Speaking to leading businesspeople in the industry the minister also unveiled a target to boost fish output by 13% to 7.7 million tons this year. As part of a package of measures the Government plans to halt bilateral fishing agreements with other countries.

Indonesia's National Agency for Export Development is at www.nafed.go.id and the Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre is at www.itpcla.org - good for event news and actual trade leads.

Russia OK's Special Economic Zone In Kaliningrad
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill which permanently establishes a 'Special Economic Zone' in the Kaliningrad region, on the Baltic coast, the presidential press service recently announced. The zone is aimed at sustaining the economic development of the Kaliningrad region and continuing special economic regulations introduced by a 1996 federal law. The law regulates issues related to recognition of legal entities as special economic zone residents, confirms the area's special customs regime, establishes separate tax and currency control in the area and eases travel to and from Kaliningrad region.

The Kaliningrad Chamber of Commerce and Industry's English website is at www.kaliningrad-cci.ru/english. The official site of Kaliningrad City Hall has a 'Business Center' at www.klgd.ru/en/city/economy/b_center.php - there's not a lot there as yet but it's worth keeping an eye on.

Japan Should Export More Food
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Japan should export more food products, instead of keeping them in the home market in an attempt to protect the market from cheap foreign imports, Prime Minister Junichiro
 
Koizumi announced recently. At a Government-sponsored food fair he said 'Japan should export safe and tasty food rather than just importing. Let's change our defensive attitude in farming to a more positive one, and spread the Japanese diet to the world.' He added, Japan should take advantage of the high quality of their home grown foodstuffs, along with growing international interest in the healthiness of the Japanese diet, and the Japanese people's famed longevity.

In recent years the Government has campaigned to promote agricultural exports. Currently premium exports include well-known Kobe beef sold to the USA, apples to Taiwan and strawberries to Hong Kong. Demand for them has been rising, according to Government statistics, with fruit exports alone growing by 13 times in the last few years.

The Japan External Trade Organisation should be your first point of contact for Japan trade …. www.jetro.go.jp.

Gambia …. Worth A Gamble ?
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Gambia is working hard towards its Vision 2020 aim of becoming a trading, export-oriented agricultural and manufacturing nation within 15 years. To achieve this aim the country now officially has an 'open door', liberal trade policy and is removing or reducing many trade restrictions and tariffs. Previously, the West African country relied on agriculture and tourism but now the Government is eager to promote other industries and become an investment haven for foreign investors. You can find out more about the opportunities on offer from the official Department of State for Trade Industry and Employment (DOSTIE) website at www.gambia.gm, which has trading information and an extensive list of companies.

Your Guide To Law Worldwide
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Everyone involved in international trade needs to know about the different laws that exist in every different country. But it can be difficult to get good information on them. However, you'll find an invaluable portal to international law on the US Law Library of Congress Guide to Law Online : Nations of the World website at www.loc.gov/law/guide/nations.html. This site has everything you need in a simple, easy to use format. Just enter the country you want and you'll find a page with information about the country's constitution; information about its executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government; legal guides; country profiles; human rights information; statistics; diplomatic contacts and lots of useful links. 
 
Take Advantage Of All That Wade Can Offer
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We're happy to send you this monthly trade bulletin with our compliments - but don't forget that the trade leads you receive here are just a very small selection of what Wade World Trade can do for you. Our products and services include professional self-study courses, manuals, advice, information, online resources and worldwide trade and business contacts - more or less everything you need to start up or expand your import-export export business

For more details, take a trip to our website at www.wadetrade.com anytime.


Best Regards

Mark Hempshell
Editor