On June 1, 2010, Israel formally joined the United Nations-backed international system (Madrid Protocol) which offers trademark owners a cost-effective and easy to access means of protecting and managing their brand names and logos internationally. The Madrid Protocol will become operational in Israel on September 1, 2010.
On May 31, 2010, the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates deposited the UAE's instrument of accession to the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures (revised Kyoto Convention) with the World Customs Organization.The Convention is regarded as a blueprint for effective and modern Customs procedures.
The 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations-European Union Ministerial Meeting wrapped up on May 26, 2010 in Madrid, and agreed upon a new indicative list of activities for 2011-2012 to further implement the Phnom Penh Agenda, an action programme for closer ties between ASEAN and the EU which was agreed at last year’s meeting.
The European Court of Auditors will hold a press briefing on June 7, 2010 on its assessment of whether the European Commission has developed a sound regulatory framework and whether the Member States effectively control simplified customs procedures for imports.
The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service is offering an Export USA Webinar: Starter Kit (or Refresher) for Exporters on June 23, 2010, that will assist Canadian companies in mastering the art of U.S. logistics and trade compliance. This webinar contains the same content as an earlier webinar: U.S. Customs Compliance and Documentation Requirements for Canadian Exporters.
GOV.cn reports that Chinese companies have been told by director-general Lu Shaye of the African affairs department with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to shift their investment focus from infrastructure and energy resources to Africa's agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Lu made the statement at a China-Africa forum held in Beijing on May 28, 2010.
The Secretary General of the Secretariat for Economic Integration in Central America (SIECA) and the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, signed an MOU in Guatemala on May 25, 2010 on Customs modernization through the adoption and implementation of WCO instruments and tools. SIECA is composed of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
After concluding their third round of a trilateral summit on May 30, 2010 in South Korea, leaders from China, South Korea and Japan have agreed to complete a joint research project by 2012 on the feasibility of grouping the three nations into a free trade zone.
The European Chemicals Agency has announced adopted opinions on the harmonized classification of the chemical substances: gallium arsenide, THF (tetrahydrofuran), and Cryolites (synthetic and natural). Therefore the classification of these substances as carcinogenic, toxic for reproduction, orally toxic, etc. could change. The opinions will be published soon.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has issued a notice providing information to exporters on softwood lumber export volume restraints during the month of June 2010.