GHY Tradelines

An updated list of recently published government memorandums, notices, regulations and decisions for the week ending May 11, 2011 is now available on our website here.
 

(EDC)

Export Development Canada (EDC)… announced that is has parlayed the success of its annual Canadians at Work: 50 International Infrastructure Projects publication into a new online resource for Canadian companies.

“Connecting Canadian companies to global infrastructure projects, and to other Canadian companies already involved in them, is another opportunity to help create trade opportunities for Canada’s infrastructure sector,” said Francoise Faverjon-Fortin, Vice-President, Infrastructure and Environment, EDC.

EDC developed the site to deliver three key benefits for Canadian companies:

• First, companies can register their projects online, giving them international exposure in the infrastructure sector.
• Second, companies can be alerted to new opportunities being presented to EDC and DFAIT through local networks around the world.
• Third, companies can research and learn about other Canadian companies in the infrastructure sector, allowing for information-sharing and networking opportunities.

As Canadian companies register their companies and their projects online, the website will evolve and expand its network. More than four new projects will be posted monthly, as will a feature article discussing a specific area of Canadian innovation or expertise in the infrastructure sector.

“Enhancing the ability of Canadian companies to identify and facilitate new partnerships is an important part of tapping into global supply chains, particularly in the infrastructure sector,” said Ms. Faverjon-Fortin. “The website will help showcasing Canadian expertise and innovation towards these ends.”
 

(Handy Shipping Guide)

NOL Publish Gloomy Q1 Figures with an Honest Appreciation of the Situation

It is rare for us to see a financial statement which not only shows a parlous situation but indicates that, unless there is a major change in fuel prices and freight rates improve substantially the outlook remains poor and, when the forecast comes from the world’s sixth biggest container shipping company, one has to admire their candour and appreciate the seriousness of the situation. The first quarter figures from Neptune Orient Lines (NOL)hold very little good news for the industry.

NOL Group, the Singapore-based container shipping company which includes APL and APL Logistics, published Q1 figures today showing a jump in net losses from US$10 million for the period in 2011 up to a massive $254 million this year. The cause was put down purely to the drop off in freight rates due to the now inherent overcapacity which is plaguing the industry plus the rapid rise in fuel prices, figures achieved despite the estimated $100 million in costs saved by the group in the first three months of 2012. Read more here.
 

(Atlantic Farm Focus)

By May 3 the WTO Appellate Body had completed its hearing on the United States appeal of it loss of the WTO dispute panel on its Country of Origin Labeling regime (COOL) as it applies to imported livestock, specifically Canadian hogs and beef cattle.

“We are very pleased with how Canada’s dispute with COOL has been argued at the WTO – first before the Panel and now in front of the Appellate Body,” Canadian Pork Council Chair Jean-Guy Vincent said.

The federal government, the CPC and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association has contested mandatory COOL since its inclusion in the 2002 U.S. Farm Bill.

Jurgen Preugschas noted that the government “very effectively argued that the (COOL) law is a protectionist measure.”

The Mayerthorpe, Alberta pork producer explained, “Despite claims by the United States that COOL was a response to requests from consumers, the legislation was in fact a result of lobbying by a splinter group of U.S. livestock farmers whose intent was to restrict imports from Canada. Read more here.
 

(STR Trade Report)

Legislative initiatives affecting international trade are picking up a bit of steam, and with nearly three months before Congress takes its annual month-long summer recess a number of them could see further progress. The process of assembling a miscellaneous trade bill will continue to move quietly forward, and in the meantime debate over fiscal year 2013 funding for federal trade agencies is heating up. Lawmakers have also recently held hearings on possible reforms concerning imported wood and wood products. Read more here.