Ann Amioka, Vice President, Communications
Steve Dormann, Communications
Blake Ellington, Communications
Cheryl O'Neal, Communications
Aaron Lambert, Communications
CalChamber Elects 2010 Board Officers
The California Chamber of Commerce today announced the election of its new board officers, including Larree M. Renda as 2010 Chair of the CalChamber Board of Directors. Renda is executive vice president, chief strategist and administrative officer for Safeway Inc. CalChamber, December 7, 2009
The WEST (Work, English Study, and Travel) Program is a unique exchange program that provides an opportunity for Korean university students and recent graduates to come to the United States for a period of 18 months to study English and to participate in professional level internships of up to 12 months.
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs has designated the Korea-U.S. Science Cooperation Center in Vienna, Virginia (KUSCO) as a sponsoring organization of the WEST Program. If your company or organization would like learn more about this program, please visit www.kusco.org/west
Sail the oceans using iPhone apps San Francisco Chornicle, December 4, 2009
***Written by Paul Oliva, Oliva Global Communications,
long-time CalChamber and CIT member
Trade Policy World Trade Organization Press Releases:
The “Small Business Int’l Trade Enhancements Act of 2009” (S. 1196 – Senator Mary L. Landrieu D-LA),which would increase the total amount of available trade financing, adjust collateral requirements, and encourage better collaboration on small business export assistance among federal government agencies.
The “Small Business Export Opportunity Act of 2009” (S. 1208 – Senator Olympia Snowe R-ME ) , which would create a new Office of Small business Export Development and Promotion at the Small Business Administration. It would also increase the maximum export loan amount and create a grant program that matches funds for expenses incurred by small businesses that are actively working to start or expand export activities.
The “Trade Reform, Accountability, Development, and Employment (TRADE) Act” (H.R. 3012 - Congressman Mike Michaud D-ME), which would generate additional bureaucratic reporting requirements relating to international trade agreements on top of those that already exist, was introduced in the House on June 24, 2009. This legislation would place new roadblocks to future trade agreements intended to lower foreign taxes on U.S. exports and require the renegotiation of existing trade agreements. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is expected to introduce companion legislation in the Senate in July.
International Tax Proposal The proposal would raise taxes on U.S. companies doing business overseas. The limitation or repeal of deferral, as proposed by the Obama administration, would impose a unilateral tax on the foreign earnings of American companies, upsetting the competitive balance between U.S. and foreign companies. This will result in a loss of jobs for Americans and serious negative impacts on the U.S. economy. Oppose.
CalChamber Council Finds Downturn in California's Economy Slowing
California's economy continued to weaken during the past quarter, though the downturn has slowed, according to the latest quarterly report of the California Chamber of Commerce Economic Advisory Council (EAC). CalChamber, December 8, 2009
California Coalition For Free Trade
The CalChamber Council for International Trade (CIT) is urging members of the business community to join(click here to download membership form) its coalition working to secure congressional approval of the free trade agreements (FTAs) with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. Companies .or associations that join the California Coalition for Free Trade will be included on the rapidly growing list of FTA supporters. There is no cost to join the coalition, which will keep members apprised of its activities and how to be supportive of the FTAs. For more information on the FTAs or to join the coalition, visit
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This e-mail is being sent to members of the CalChamber Council for International Trade; CalChamber members with international interests; local, binational and American chambers of commerce abroad; the consular corps; California congressional delegation, selected U.S. and California government officials; and representatives of business and trade associations.Note: The Trade Update provides a glimpse of current events for selected topics. Some newspapers listed require the viewer to register for free in order to view the entire article. After some time, most papers file older stories in their archive section. Access to those stories may require that you pay to view them.