Is Punctuation important for World Trade?

Have a look at this post from

International Economic Law and Policy Blog: Textual Analysis in WTO Dispute Settlement: More Than Just Words

Obviously a colon can make a difference.

Counting Carbon in Exports

This is an example of a carbon label which expresses the carbon footprint of a product.  This issue is one which of real concern for New Zealand exporters.  Free trade agreements may be all very well but instead we may be faced with non-tariff barriers.

You can read a short but useful article from International Trade Forum - the quarterly magazine of the International Trade Centre at:

http://www.tradeforum.org/news/printpage.php/aid/1545/Counting_Carbon_in_Exports:_Carbon_Footprinting_Initiatives_and_what_They_Mean_for_Exporters_in_Developing_Countries.html

Baltic Dry

This sounds like a new beer but it actually refers to the Baltic Dry Index which measures the rates charged for chartering the ships which carry commodities such as coal, iron ore and grain.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/newsbook/2010/07/shipping_rates_slump

Library Week 2010 - Ask Me - Mode 4 Trade

I came across a reference to 'Mode 4 trade' recently, so decided to set this as my question for Library Week 2010:

Q. What is Mode 4 trade?


A. This is defined as individuals moving across borders to deliver a service e.g. a construction worker or fruit-picker. This is officially known as ‘movement of natural persons.’

Source: http://www.migrationdrc.org/publications/briefing_papers/BP4.pdf

 This source gives very useful information about all four of the modes as set out by GATS.  Certainly we have Mode 4 trade going on in New Zealand where fruitpickers are hired to come and pick summer fruit or kiwifruit.

Library Week 2010 - Ask Me - APEC Travel Card

An exporter has asked "what is an APEC Travel Card? What does it offer? and Who can apply for one?

The APEC Business Travel Card is used in conjunction with a passport and provides accedited business people streamlined access to participating countries such as the People's Republic of China. Cardholders get:

• express immigration clearance through special APEC lanes on arrival and departure
• no requirement to apply for visas or entry permits
• multiple entry to participating countries for a stay of up to 90 days on each visit

Business people who are engaged in trade and investment acticities and who:

• are nationals of the participating countries
• travel frequently to conduct trade and investment in participating APEC countries, and
• are of good character

can apply for the card.   There is a $NZD150 fee.  You can get a list of all the APEC countries and more information at:

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/apec/

One of our exporters reports that 'it is the best thing since sliced bread and is cheaper than visas and you get fast transit through airports.'  It's obviously worth looking into.

Business Scholarships - Focus on Exporters

Beehive - Better businesses aim of PM's Business Scholarships

This looks promising for the export sector.

New Zealand's Apple Dispute - WTO decision

WTO 2010 News items - Panel report out on apple dispute

This is really making news today and you can read the WTO Panel Report here. This decision is important not only for New Zealand's relationship with Australia, but also potentially for China's apple industry which is the world's largest. See TVNZ's report: http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/wto-rules-favoour-nz-apple-row-3690076

QR codes

This is the QR-code developed for the BBC  in the UK.  The latest issue of Exporter magazine has a useful article by Anthony Doesburg entitled: "The Viral Potential of QR Code for Product Marketing".   (Issue 15 June Qtr 2010 p.22)  He notes that the winemaker Giesen from Canterbury is about to start using codes on their wine bottles.  The Giesen wine I looked at in the supermarket this week certainly didn't have them yet.

Has anyone had any experience of QR-codes within the exporting sector, or for non-profits?  It would be great to hear from you/