Letter
from the Editors
The editors of Women in International Trade Newsletter
want to welcome
you to the first issue of the 2008-2009 year. This newsletter is an important
part of our efforts to inform you about WIIT's activities. It includes information
about our leadership, recent and upcoming events, information on our many
programs and projects, and articles and book reviews written by WIIT members.
Read more.
. .
Message from the President, Tonya Kemp (2008-2009)
As I accept the title
of President, I would like to first thank those that thought of me for this
position, and to also thank all of you that are about to help me out this
next year. Some of you don't even realize it yet, but you will be helping
me!
Food
versus Fuel: The Debate Continues
by Tonya Kemp, Gordley Associates
As the media and others
continue to focus on the role that biofuels play in rising prices, they often
fail to mention the other contributing factors. Ethanol and Biodiesel do have
some roles to play by providing the farmers incentive to plant a "cash
crop" like corn versus a traditional crop that doesn't pay as well. However,
while, there is some displacement of crops that were used for food or feed
that are now being used on oil, those crops grown for energy still contribute
to the food chain. The part of the plant that is not used for oil (DDG's for
corn and soybean meal for soybeans) is still available for animal feed and
further food processing. The larger problem is being caused by the rising
oil prices, the increasing demand by developing countries, and the placement
of export controls by food exporting countries.
The year 2008 will be remembered as the year when escalating food and commodity prices made the agriculture sector interesting, at last. The reality of higher food prices crept up gradually on the American public, however, while our attention was on the price of gasoline. Personally, I first noticed it around February when a young family at the checkout line buying milk made a bitter comment about the price. Then, I couldn't find any two-for-one deals on eggs to color at Easter. A loaf of bread was up by $1.00. One day, I read with surprise that global private equity funds were starting to buy up agricultural land. Then in April, food riots made headlines in the Philippines, Egypt, Haiti, and India. By the time the Cedar River was flooding in Iowa in June, worldwide concern was mounting, and Americans started bargain shopping in earnest. The low U.S. dollar was not buying as much, while pushing our exports out the door.
The
Mouse that Roared: The Lacey Act Amended and its Consequences
by Ned Steiner, Director, Trade and Legislative Affairs, for Sandler, Travis
& Rosenberg, P.A.
Global trade in wood products is big business. According to some estimates, it is equal to $150 billion. The same sources estimate that 10 percent of that amount is illegally logged. Indeed, illegal logging seems to be a wide-spread and deep-seated practice for many of the world's leading producers of timber: in Brazil, as much as 80 percent of logging may be illegal, 50 percent in Cameroon and Gabon, 88 percent in Indonesia, 30 percent in Malaysia, 20-30 percent in Russia. There are even indications that a small number of operations in Canada may not be wholly legitimate.
Know
Your WIIT Officers and Board of Directors (2008-2009)
Book Review:
Farm Facts
Event
Summary: Relationship Building to Enhance Your Career
Event
Summary: WIIT Joins Other Networking Groups for Summer Socials
Event
Summary: Ports 101: the Port of Virginia
Event
Summary: Trade Remedy Laws -- Leveling the Playing Field
Event
Summary: The Enforcement of the FCPA in the Medical Device Industry
Event
Summary: WIIT Hosts 2008 Annual Dinner Awards Program
WIIT
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WIIT is now part of LinkedIn and Facebook
If you would like to join or visit WIIT's LinkedIn Group, follow this link: http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/96418
WIIT also has a new Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36034406345
OWIT
Newsletter
Earlier this spring, OWIT launched its first International e-newsletter. The newsletter aims to connect our members to the wider organization and represents another benefit of membership in OWIT. Here is the link to the newsletter in case you have not yet seen it.
http://www.owit.org/en/Documentos/newsletters/member/index.htm
WIIT Toastmasters
In a supportive friendly environment, WIIT Toastmasters can help you improve your public speaking skills. Public speaking skills can help you more effectively present can communicate your ideas and help advance your career. We are affiliated with WIIT and with Toastmasters International. Toastmasters International has been helping people of all walks of life become effective communicators for over eighty years...
Let us help you achieve your goals. Visit our website http://wiit.freetoasthost.ws for details and information. We meet the second and fourth Mondays of the month, except Federal holidays. We meet at 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM at the National Association of Manufacturers, 1330 Pennsylvania Ave. The closest Metro Stop is Metro Center; exit to 13th and F Sts.
WIIT Mentoring Program
Want to learn more about the career pathway of a fellow WIIT member? Are you willing to offer career advice and insights to other women in the field of international trade? If so, join the WIIT Mentoring Program!
WIIT offers a unique opportunity for members in all stages of their careers in international trade to share their experiences and learn from one another by tapping into the broad network offered by our membership. The hallmark of the program is one-on-one mentoring, pairing one WIIT member with another.
Board
& Officer/Section Chair Meeting Schedule
Upcoming
Events
Newsletter Co-Editors
Manka Azefor and Kristin Wedding
WIIT Newsletter Editors
wiit_newslettereditors_2006@yahoo.com
