Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Washington File reports that in February 16, 2005 testimony before a House subcommittee, the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury stated that he expected the Treasury Department to soon issue a final rule requiring U.S. dealers in precious metals, stones and jewels to take actions to prevent money-launderers and terrorists from exploiting trade in those commodities to their advantage. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/26/03 news, 03022699 3, for BP summary of the proposed rule.) (Washington File Pub 02/16/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=February&x=20050216145320ebyessedo0.8027155&t=xarchives/xarchitem.html)
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.
1. Treasury to Soon Issue Final Rule to Prevent Money Launderers/Terrorists from Exploiting Trade in Precious Metals, Stones, & Jewels
2. U.S., Pakistan Meet for Bilateral Investment Treaty Negotiations
The State Department has announced that delegations from the U.S. and Pakistan met on February 7-10, 2005 in London for the first negotiating session for a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), at which the delegations examined the draft text in detail, making progress and reaching informal agreement on several issues. The negotiating teams intend to meet for another round of negotiations in Pakistan this spring. (State Department press release, dated 02/11/05, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/42211.htm)
3. WCO Hosts Global Conference on Transport and Trade Facilitation
In late January 2005, the World Customs Organization (WCO) hosted a gathering of the Global Facilitation Partnership for Transport and Trade (GFP) at which over 100 representatives from governments, intergovernmental organizations, lending institutions, the private sector, and academics gathered to discuss the way forward for transport and trade facilitation. According to the WCO, the next GFP meeting will be held in September 2005. (WCO notice available at http://www.wcoomd.org/ie/En/en.html)
4. DHS Appointees to New Data Privacy & Integrity Advisory Committee
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that it has appointed 20 members to its newly formed Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee. According to DHS, this committee was established to provide external expert advice to DHS on programmatic, policy, operational, and technological issues that affect privacy, data integrity, and data interoperability in DHS programs. The committee's first meeting will be held on April 6, 2005 in Washington, DC. (See announcement for list of appointees.) (DHS announcement available at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=4367)
5. IOMA & World Academy to Hold HTS and Import/Export Compliance Seminars in Miami, FL
The Institute of Management Administration (IOMA) and the World Academy have announced that the following two seminars will be held in Miami, FL:
Harmonized Tariff Classification Training Seminar (March 16, 2005)
Import/Export Compliance Certification Training Seminar & Exam (March 17-18, 2005)
For more information, visit www.ioma.com.