The Journal of Commerce (JoC) reports that multinational high-tech companies in China will continue to lose market share to their local counterparts, according to an industry study which found that Chinese companies are growing three times faster than multinationals. JoC explains that multinational high-tech companies are increasingly being relegated to the thin, high-end market in China. (JoC Pub 10/09/06, www.joc.com)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a proposed rule to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Regulations (CWCR) to (1) expedite the collection of information concerning the inspection status of plant sites that produce unscheduled discrete organic chemicals (UDOCs) subject to the CWCR declaration requirements, (2) clarify the scope of the CWCR records review and recordkeeping requirements, and (3) update the maximum civil penalty that may be imposed for violations of the CWCR restrictions on imports of CWC Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 chemicals.
The American Conference Institute has announced that the 2nd National Forum on Export Enforcement & Investigations will be held on December 5 & 6, 2006 in Washington DC. The conference will include discussions on how the government evaluates voluntary and directed disclosures, negotiating civil settlements with BIS, DDTC, and OFAC, etc. The conference will also feature two optional workshops on December 7, 2006 concerning conducting an effective internal investigation and the do's and don'ts in preparing voluntary disclosures. More information and a registration form is available at www.AmericanConference.com/exports.
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that the Secretary of Homeland Security has said that federal security officials will have "zero tolerance" for port terminal operators who violate cargo search requests. The article notes that new port security funding legislation gives DHS the authority to go after terminal operators who intentionally or mistakenly allow suspicious cargo to leave the docks. (JoC Online, dated 10/03/06, www.joc.com.)
The Journal of Commerce (JoC) reports that the British Columbia Lumber Trade Council is requesting that the Canadian government delay enacting the Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA) with the U.S., which is supposed to take effect on October 1, 2006. JoC notes that Canadian officials may grant this request because some Canadian firms are experiencing complications in complying with the SLA. (JoC Pub 09/28/06, www.joc.com)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective September 7, 2006, which amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) at 15 CFR Parts 740, 743, 772, and 774 to implement changes made to the Wassenaar Arrangement's List of Dual-Use Goods and Technologies (Wassenaar List), and Statements of Understanding maintained and agreed to by the governments participating in the Wassenaar Arrangement.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective September 7, 2006, which amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) at 15 CFR Parts 740, 743, 772, and 774 to implement changes made to the Wassenaar Arrangement's List of Dual-Use Goods and Technologies (Wassenaar List), and Statements of Understanding maintained and agreed to by the governments participating in the Wassenaar Arrangement.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued an Order based on a Settlement Agreement denying certain export privileges for a period of ten years from the date of entry of the Order to Zheng Zheng, President of Univision Technology, Inc., in her individual capacity, for activities involving the export of microwave transistors, microwave amplifiers, and related equipment to China without the required Department of Commerce licenses, etc. The Order also assesses a $288,150 civil penalty against Zheng, $188,150 of which is to be waived under certain conditions. (FR Pub 09/15/06 available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-7703.pdf)
The General Accounting Office (GAO) has issued a report entitled, Export Controls: Improvements to Commerce's Dual-Use System Needed to Ensure Protection of U.S. Interests in the Post-9/11 Environment.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective September 7, 2006, which amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) at 15 CFR Parts 740, 743, 772, and 774 to implement changes made to the Wassenaar Arrangement's List of Dual-Use Goods and Technologies (Wassenaar List), and Statements of Understanding maintained and agreed to by the governments participating in the Wassenaar Arrangement.