Archive for March, 2009

China to Raise Export Tax Rebates
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

The following was reported on in the March 29th edition of “The Journal of Commerce”.

Beginning April 1, the Chinese government will increase tax rebate rates on selected exports.

The change should make China’s massive economic stimulus plan more effective for Chinese manufacturers in various industrial sectors, including textiles, iron and steel, nonferrous metal, petrochemical, electronic information and light industrial products.

Since last August, the export tax rebate rate for textiles has changed four times; the latest increase in February 2009 raised the rate from 14 to 15 percent. China’s exports have been severely hurt by the global economic downturn. In February, exports dropped by 25.7 percent year-on-year.

Guo Yongxin, an analyst with China National Light Industry Information Center, told the press that the government’s goal is to bring the export tax rebate on 631 light industry products back up to 13 percent, the same average level as in 2007. The adjustment will be adopted in several steps.

Toward a Better Border: The United States and Canada
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

On March 25, 2009 the Canadian International Council (CIC) and The Brookings Institution hosted a conference in Washington entitled “Toward a Better Border: The United States and Canada” to help shed light on the evolving security and economic challenges associated with the Canada-US border and to examine recommendations for improving border policy. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano delivered the keynote address.

Video excerpts and transcripts may be obtained on the CIC website at:  http://www.canadianinternationalcouncil.org/resourcece/multimedia/towardabet

Government of Canada moves to expand publicly funded border services at airports
Monday, March 30th, 2009

The following news release was issued today by Public Safety Canada.

The Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety, today announced that the Government of Canada is investing money in expanding publicly funded services provided by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at airports across the country…

The Minister announced that the CBSA will be providing new levels of publicly funded services at the following airports: Toronto City Centre Airport, Deer Lake Regional Airport, Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport and Regina International Airport. In addition, two other airports are receiving expanded services. The details will be announced shortly.

These investments are being made under the provisions of the CBSA’s new Air Services Policy Framework that will come into effect on April 1, 2009…

“Through this investment, Toronto City Centre Airport may now offer 16 hours of daily border clearance services,” added Minister Van Loan. “These important service changes will help the airport respond to the steady increase in passenger traffic and meet the requirements of the travelling public.”

Implementing the Air Services Policy Framework will enable the CBSA to assess, on a case-by-case basis, whether the addition or expansion of publicly funded border services at the requesting eligible site is viable and sustainable. The CBSA continues to work closely with industry stakeholders.

For more information, please visit the CBSA website at: http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/agency-agence/csr-esb/framework-cadre-eng.html.

Canadian manufacturers, exporters gain optimism
Friday, March 27th, 2009

The following article is excerpted from the 27 March 2009 edition of “Canadian Transportation & Logistics”.

The most recent Business Conditions Survey conducted by the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters indicates there’s growing optimism in the Canadian manufacturing community. Respondents’ optimism about the next three months was higher than at any other time in 2009, according to the survey….

Of the 717 companies that responded, 49% said they expect orders to decrease between March and June. In February, 56% of respondents felt orders would decline.

Another reason for hope was that 13% of companies that responded said they will increase their employment over the next three months, up from 11% in February. The number of companies planning layoffs declined from 45% to 42%.

The survey found the credit crunch remains an important issue for manufacturers and exporters, with 59% of businesses reporting problems acquiring credit. …’