Welcome to the Wade Trade News import-export bulletin for December 2009. We might be coming to the end of the year and looking forward to a more prosperous 2010 but we still have some interesting trading leads worth following up. This month you will find news on France and Austria, plus sites to help you trade with Saudi Arabia, Russia and Egypt - and a site that can help you get started trading cosmetics. Take a look now .... you could find something that will help you make money.

* French Economy May Grow Again In 2010
France will lead Europe in recovering from the global recession, and enjoy significant economic growth in 2010 - according to a recent announcement by French Prime Minister Francois Fillon. Fillon said that the French economy should grow by between 1% and 1.5% in 2010, giving France "one of the best economic performances in Europe."

Although a possible turnround in the French economy should be good news for international traders it is still a very small improvement compared to the economic decline in key European economies over the last year. A recent report by the European Union said that the French economy will have seen a 2.2% decline by the end of 2009, while negative growth will be 5% in Germany, 4.6% in Britain and 3.7% in Spain. For 2010 the EU estimates France will see 1.2% growth, Germany also 1.2% growth, the UK 0.9% growth - while the Spanish economy will decline a further 0.8%.

* Austria's Foreign Trade Falls 23%
Austrian foreign trade from January to August this year fell by 23.8% compared to the same period in 2008, according to figures from Statistics Austria. The foreign trade deficit was nine times more than the previous period increasing from 283.8 million euros (US$417.5 million) to 2,490 million euros (US$3,673.1 million). Imports from other EU countries declined by 22.3% while exports to EU countries fell by 25.3%. Austrian foreign trade with countries outside the EU also fell considerably - imports fell 17.2% and exports fell 19.7% - although Austria still enjoyed a small trade surplus with non-EU countries.

As a small country with few natural resources and no substantial service sector unlike neighbouring Switzerland Austria is highly dependent on foreign trade, especially in manufactured goods.

* Export 2 Saudi
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is one of the most sought after countries to export to in the world. It buys around US$92.5 billion worth of goods a year. However, it is one of the more difficult countries to export to, with specific regulations and product standards that aren't the same as anywhere else. However, this site has been designed to help you export more successfully to the KSA. It offers
exactly the right information you need to export to Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has introduced clear guidelines to inform exporters, and assure Saudi consumers, that imported products comply with their regulations. This site has been designed to give companies wishing to export to Saudi Arabia the information they need about the Product Conformity Programme (PCP) and what it requires. You will also find contact information and a resource area containing essential documentation and information. Website: http://www.export2saudi.com

* Trading With Russia - GOST Standards
If you've ever thought about trading with Russia then you need to know about GOST. GOST, the Russian accreditation body, requires all products imported into Russia to carry the GOST-R mark in order to show conformity with national safety standards. In addition, there are several product groups that also need health approval. Examples are products that come into contact with water or food - for example kitchen equipment and refrigerators. During the last few years steps have been taken to harmonise Russian standards with international ones and some technical legislation has also become equal or similar to the regulations within the European Union. However, you still need to check what the national position is when trading with Russia. The official GOST site is here: http://www.gost.ru -English version available. There are also lots of agencies around the world who can advise you on GOST standards and also obtain certification for you. However, if you take advice from such companies always check what their fees are first.

* Getting Started Trading Cosmetics
Cosmetic products are bought and sold in virtually every country of the world. They can be divided into broadly five main categories: Perfumes and fragrances. Decorative cosmetics. Skin care. Hair care. Toiletries. The Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association or CTPA is the trade association for the UK cosmetic and personal care industry. Members include companies of all sizes involved in the sourcing of ingredients, manufacturing, packaging, labelling and distribution. The CTPA is primarily concerned with regulatory matters and issues relating to product and ingredient safety, as well as the benefits of cosmetic products in society. But there is lots of useful information on the site if you would like to get involved trading cosmetics. Website: http://www.ctpa.org.uk

* Ever Considered Exports From Egypt ?
Egypt is not often thought of as a potential trading partner, but there are a couple of reasons why it is well worth considering. Egypt has a buoyant manufacturing industry, producing a range of low cost products, that are not well known worldwide. Important Egyptian exports include foodstuffs, furniture, leather products, garments and textiles. (Its key imports include chemicals, mechanical equipment, medical supplies, metal products, plastic products and refrigeration equipment.) For UK importers, the strength of the pound against the Egyptian currency also makes it attractive at the moment. If you'd like to explore things further Egypt Search at http://www.egyptsearch.com is good for tracking down sources of leads and information you might need. The Egyptian Trading Directory at http://www.egtrade.com is a useful trading site which includes news, information and a small selection of trading contacts.

* More Useful Links
That's all for this month, and for this year. We'll be back to you in 2010 with more news and useful trading sources. Meanwhile, if you need more help or information on the products Wade World Trade has for you, including our seminars and courses, our website is open 24/7 - find us at http://www.wadetrade.com. Look forward to seeing you there!

Until next month,

Mark Hempshell
Editor