Join WITOC for the its annual State of International Trade & Customs Outlook for importers, exporters, and other trade stakeholders. Come hear from high-level government officials representing various departments within USCBP, USCPSC, DHS/HSI, USDA, and FDA give us a recap of 2018 top headlines on trade facilitation and enforcement and a look ahead on regulatory trends and initiatives that will shape the landscape of global commerce in 2019. Other industry experts, including special guests from Canada, will share their insights into USMCA and other hot topics setting the stage for another year of trade transformation in a world of bridging relations with government agencies and trade stakeholders. With a wide range of speakers from relevant backgrounds, you will not want to miss this opportunity to interact and connect with noteworthy government and industry executives. More program details announced soon. Program Developed by:

Anne Hilsabeck, President and Founder, AMH Customs Consultants, Newport Beach CA

For more information, please click here: https://witoc.org/event/2019-state-of-international-trade-luncheon/

The Indonesia Investment Promotion Center is hosting a half day meeting on Indonesia economic, investment and trade potential. The meeting will take place on February 20 in San Francisco. A copy of the invitation and program are attached. Meeting will take place at the Hotel Nikko and includes networking and lunch.

Presented by: The Consulate General of Indonesia

Please contact Riena Sarojo by email at rksarojo@yahoo.com for more information.

Canada Advocacy Day Luncheon

NAFTA 2.0: A Trade Agreement for the 21st Century

Last year, Canada, the U.S., and Mexico signed the new North American Free Trade Agreement. USMCA, or NAFTA 2.0, was the result of over a year of negotiations in which all three countries agreed to significant changes to NAFTA including improved labor practices, greater gender parity in the workforce, and stronger IP protections, among other things. But does the agreement do enough to advance progressive trade policies? Could new political leadership in D.C. renegotiate a better deal? Join representatives of Canada, Mexico, and the United States as they highlight new provisions of NAFTA 2.0, and discuss what changes to the agreement could mean for business in Northern California.

Speakers to include:

• Consul General of Canada, Rana Sarkar
• Consul General of Mexico, Liliana Ferrer Silva

Moderated by:

• Allan Zaremberg, CEO, CalChamber

Register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6480543917624547329 .

NTIA and the U.S. Census Bureau will present information on two large-scale consumer studies focused on computer and Internet use in America. The speakers will highlight the latest data from the surveys about who’s online, who’s not, how and where people access and use the Internet, what concerns they have, and more. Experts will show you how to access the data yourself, point you to open data resources, and answer questions. Learn more about the NTIA Internet Use Survey, a survey of 123,000 people in 52,000 households across the U.S. with in-depth insights on how people ages 3 and up use computers and the Internet. Then dive down to the Census block and tract level with the December 2018 release of the American Community Survey data on computer and Internet use.

Speakers:

• Rafi Goldberg, Policy Analyst, Office of Policy Analysis and Development
• Ryan Dolan, Data Visualization Specialist, U.S. Census Bureau
• Gerson Vasquez, Data Visualization Specialist, U.S. Census Bureau

Moderator:

Karen Archer Perry, Senior Policy Analyst, BroadbandUSA

Opportunities for economic development with California’s second leading trading partner will be the focus when Rana Sarkar, consul general of Canada, is hosted at the annual international trade luncheon by the Hayward Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 27.

The event is co-sponsored by the California State University, East Bay, College of Business and Economics

The luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Golden Peacock Banquet Hall and Conference Center, 24989 Santa Clara St., Hayward. Reservations must be made in advance HERE. Tickets are $25 apiece and will not be sold at the door.

“We are honored to be co-sponsors of this event and look forward to welcoming to Hayward a representative of California’s second largest trading partner and a historic ally,” said George Low, dean of the College of Business and Economics at Cal State East Bay. “Students, faculty, and staff from the College of Business and Economics as well as the public will have the opportunity to learn more about current issues in international trade by attending this event.”

“Hayward is a perfect place for the consul general to discuss the bright future for trade between our countries,” said Kim Huggett, president and CEO of the Hayward Chamber of Commerce. “Here at the center of the Bay Area a growing number of Hayward companies are keeping our chamber busy issuing certificates of origin for their exports.”