KWTC News :

KWTC Coal and Mining Mission Successfully Returns From South Africa

Delegates:Ted McGinnis, James Booth, Donald Newell, Mark Campbell, Ying Juan Rogers, Chester Thomas, Jeffrey Brock, Dr.Donald Challman and Jon Yingling with team members of SASOL Coal (not pictured: John Waugh)

The Kentucky Coal and Mining Trade Mission, lead by Ying Juan Rogers, Vice President  of the Kentucky World Trade Center, recently returned from a successful 10 day trip to South Africa. During the visit, the delegation met with professors at the Chemical Engineering Department of the University of Cape Town; US Department of Commerce in Johannesburg; the South Africa Department of Mineral and Energy; the South Africa Trade and Investment department; and Council for Scientific and Industrial research.  The delegation also visited Sasol (South African Coal, Oil and Gas Corporation) and the Richards Bay Coal terminal.

Delegates learned about South Africa's dynamic and growing coal and other mining sectors; gained an understanding of the opportunities that exist in the (South) African market for U.S. companies; and discovered successful market entry strategies, including how to develop business with the right South African partners. In sum, the trade mission was productive and fruitful. more...

Global Business Connections:
Doing Business with Japan

Wednesday, December 2, 2009
11:30pm-1:30pm
Stites & Harbison, PLLC.
Aegon Tower, 20th Floor, 400 West Market Street, Louisville, KY 40202
$10 KWTC members, $20 nonmembers
(lunch provided)

Speakers: Hiroshi Sato
Consul General of Japan, Nashville
Gov. Martha Layne Collins
Former Governor of Kentucky, Honorary Consul of Japan

Click here for more details

Sponsored by: Stites & Harbison, PLLC

Presented in partnership with Greater Louisville, Inc. and Japan/America Society of Kentucky

To register please contact Sarah Darnall at 859-258-3139 or by email sarah.darnall@kwtc.org

International Trade News :

China-ASEAN Free Trade Area Expected to Launch
China-based Xinhua News reported on October 25, 2009, that a free trade
area between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is expected to launch by January 1, 2010. More...

New Convention on Contracts for International Carriage of Goods Takes Effect
A new international agreement that drastically changes the rights and obligations of those involved in the maritime carriage of goods has taken effect after being ratified by 20 countries. More...

Legislative Update: MTB Process Advances, Preference Program Extension Still Possible
The process of developing a miscellaneous trade bill in the Senate is well underway, and a final measure could pass by the end of the year. Lawmakers are also working to extend expiring trade preference programs, but that effort, like many others, continues to take a back seat to health care reform. More...

Tougher Trade Sanctions on Iran Advance in Senate
The Senate Banking Committee unanimously approved Oct. 29 legislation that strengthens economic and trade sanctions against Iran. According to a fact sheet from Committee Chairman Chris Dodd, D-Conn., the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act includes the following provisions.More...

Did you know?
KWTC members have access to a full database of trade leads, available at wtca.org. For questions, contact sarah.darnall@kwtc.org.

Featured Events :

Last Chance to Register!
 Export Documentation & Compliance Management

When: Thursday, November 12, 2009
              8:30am - 5:00pm
             (registration 8:15-8:30am)

Where: Greenebaum, Doll & McDonald, PLLC.
Louisville, Kentucky 40202

$195 KWTC members
$225 non-members
Lunch Provided

Speaker:  Sarah Reynolds
Senior Consultant and Trainer
American River International / World Academy

Sponsored by: Greenebaum, Doll & McDonald, PLLC

Click here for more details

Louisville
Thursday, January 21st, 2009
8:30 am - 5:00 pm

$195 KWTC members
$225 non-members
Lunch Provided

Speaker: Trudy Wilson, Licensed Customs Broker
President, InTran Industries
Customs Compliance Consulting

Click here to view flyer

Presented by the Kentucky World Trade Center

Check out our
Calendar of Events!

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Member News :

Governor Beshear Announces Expansion of INFAC Corporation in Campbellsville

Frankfort, KY (Oct.29, 2009) -Gov. Steve Beshear and Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Larry Hayes today announced INFAC Corporation, a leading producer and worldwide supplier of mechanical cables and electronic components for the automotive industry, will add manufacturing capabilities to its distribution and sales center in Taylor County. The expansion will entail a $530,000 investment and will create an additional 20 jobs in the community.

"We are delighted INFAC Corporation has made the decision to further expand its Taylor County operation, creating new jobs and additional investment in the Commonwealth," said Gov. Beshear. "The expansion of our existing industries is vital to the growth of our economy, so we are pleased to have played a role in helping another Kentucky business expand."

The South Korean-owned company expects to begin manufacturing park brake cables and transmission control cables at its 52,000 square-foot facility, located in the Campbellsville Industrial Park, in the first quarter of 2010.  INFAC Corporation, established in 1969 in Ansan, Korea, also operates seven manufacturing plants in Korea, China, India, and Turkey and has affiliates in Japan and Europe.

“We are proud to expand our facility in Campbellsville as demand for our products grow with the North American markets,” said Brian Bland, general manager for INFAC Corporation.  “We appreciate the help from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Team Taylor County. As a native of Campbellsville, Kentucky has proven to be an excellent choice for both our initial location and expansion.  Our hope is that there will be additional expansions to follow.”

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved INFAC Corporation for up to $400,000 under Kentucky’s new incentive program, the Kentucky Business Investment (KBI) Program.  The incentives can be earned over a 15-year period through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments. The maximum annual amount to be earned by INFAC Corporation is approximately $26,666.

“I am very excited about INFAC Corporation’s commitment to bring additional jobs to Taylor County,” said Ron McMahan, executive director of Team Taylor County.  “We look forward to working with them as they continue to grow in our community.”

A community profile of Taylor County can be found at the following link:
http://thinkkentucky.com/EDIS/cmnty/index.aspx?cw=060

KWTC membership means global business opportunities.
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