In this article, I will focus on the role of chambers of commerce and trade consulates in importing and exporting.

The Role of Chambers of Commerce and Trade Consulates

Chambers of commerce are typically private organizations representing a category of industry sectors and working for the benefit of their membership. Chambers of commerce may be quite broad in their activities or very specifically focused; it depends on their charter.

A trade consulate or attaché is typically the commercial arm of a foreign embassy, high commission or consulate. They are a public body of a foreign government and, as such, they follow a different agenda than the chambers of commerce. Since they are a public institution, they are subject to their current government policies and typically only serve the commercial interests of organizations from their country.

Both chambers of commerce and trade consulates have roles in common such as networking and business-matching functions. They can put people in touch with each other and also find sellers and suppliers to assist in business generation.

Probably the best thing about working with these bodies is that they already have a network of industry contacts that have been filtered to varying degrees. This accelerates your efforts in finding a potential seller or buyer. As we all know, time is critical in business.

It is also possible to do personal networking at the local level by attending the functions these bodies host. They may be market-specific or industry-sector-specific functions. In either case, they provide an opportunity for people to meet like-minded individuals with a real or potential interest in doing business in countries X, Y or Z in industries A, B or C.

Attendees may obtain interesting and useful information during these meetings, including third-party referrals, swapping stories about who is doing what to whom, and who are the bad guys. This is all valuable information, especially for the novice in a new area.

This information-gathering assists in creating a mental picture of a foreign industry sector and its business environment. Much can be learned in a few hours about what works and does not work. This information comes at a low cost but has high value.

Documentation, Trade Missions and Business-Matching

Chambers of commerce also offer documentation services, including the legalization of documents and issuance of certificates of origin. They are also able to offer comments about further legalization processes, such as consular legalizations, etc. This is useful operational information that may impact the ability to service a foreign customer in accordance with the contract specifications for documentation.

Chambers also offer the opportunity to participate in trade missions. These usually take the form of country and/or industry-specific visits. The chamber conducts a matching exercise between buyers and sellers on the mission ahead of the visit with a view to organizing in-country meetings with the foreign counterparts.

Trade consulates also offer business-matching opportunities, and the organizations in their databases have usually been the subject of previous inquiry to ascertain export readiness and capability. After all, there is little point in matching someone with a counterpart that is likely to be a failure at the onset.

Trade consulates also have reputations to protect: their own and that of their ministry and country. They have no interest in doing anything except what is the best possible. Consequently, contacts from these organizations are comparatively lower risk.

Trade consulates also offer some tailored consultancy services. These vary widely in their availability, scope, depth and cost from one diplomatic post to another and from country-to-country.

Typically a local consultancy firm familiar with the trade consulate would be engaged to provide specific advice. This may vary from a general market analysis to options for selecting agents or distributors in a particular market, to the provision of a specific market report, or anything else that you may desire.

The benefits of pursing this option is that the consultancy service is generally quite reliable and produces good reports. Any consultant has already been filtered by the trade consulate and is likely to be a respectable service.

A Lesson Learned: Check the Consultant’s Credentials

On this score, I am reminded of a past attempt by a consultant to provide some specific in-market information about a country in the Middle East that I was interested in selling to. This consultant’s claim to fame was that he was originally from that country, was quite well-versed in the business culture and etiquette, and had previous extensive working experience in that country in a marketing capacity.

I had not been able to find anyone else to complete that task at the time. The consultant was given a written brief on the information required and was engaged to provide this in exchange for a payment of $15,000. He returned six weeks later and produced his report with an invoice.

Unfortunately, his invoice was never paid. This is not because I am a rogue, but it was because of the type of report he produced. I am being generous with the use of the word report. Basically what he provided me with was a country profile that was extracted from some encyclopedia-like resource. It provided me with the structure of the government, the type of legal system, latitude, longitude, population numbers, average seasonal temperatures, annual rainfall, public holidays and main local foods—not much else. Sure it was in color, nicely bound, but no details about the specific information I was seeking—what a waste of six weeks’ worth of waiting!

Of course, he did demand payment, but once he was referred back to the written brief and his lack of performance, he was never seen again. By the way, the report was handed back to him immediately; one less reason to want to claim any remuneration for the job.

What is the moral of the story? Make sure you have written briefs for consultants. They protect both you and them. Also, make sure that you check out the credentials of the consultant as much as you can beforehand. It is about reducing your risk after all.

In Conclusion

In summary, the advantages of using chambers of commerce and trade consulates are that you potentially get access to a wide variety of reliable information that should enable you to positively accelerate your business activities in international markets. Some of this information is free, and some of it has to be customized to your needs. In my experience, whether or not the information obtained from these sources is free, it has always been worthwhile.

Using respectable sources of information not only accelerates your processes but also reduces risks. Networking with others may be of great help in avoiding picking bad apples as partners; this way you will reduce risk. It may be that you will not get details about a business counterpart opportunity abroad, but you may well get details of which organizations you should avoid—typically these organizations and individuals have a track record—and that is very valuable information indeed.

In my next article, I will focus on some aspects of international market access issues.

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This article was first published in April 2014 and has been updated to include current information, links and formatting.

Speeding was a factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2021. Additionally, more than 115,000 driver violations during inspections in 2021 were related to speeding, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) 2022 Large Truck and Bus Statistics guide.

Each speeding ticket carries fines and adds points to your license, putting you at risk for a possible suspension of your driver’s license and loss of CDL privileges. Any violation clocked at 15+ mph or more above the posted limit is considered a serious offense in all 50 states. Speeding also reduces your carriers’ Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores. And most importantly, it puts you and everyone on the road with you at serious risk of injury and possibly even death.

 

Speeding-Related Driver Violations During Inspections, 2021
63,950: Driving 6 – 10 mph over the speed limit
30,280: Driving 11 – 14 mph over the speed limit
21,356: Driving 15+ mph over the speed limit

While many fleets now use speed limiters and adaptive cruise control, it’s still up to each driver to operate their vehicle as safely as possible. So, slow down! Follow this simple speed management plan.

Never drive faster than the posted speed limit.

Adjust your speed based on road conditions. Slippery roadways create additional hazards. In general, plan to reduce your speed by one-third in rain and by half or more on hard-packed snow. Proceed very cautiously on ice, especially on bridges, ramps and in shaded areas. In fog, drive only as fast as you feel safe.

Don’t ‘set it and forget it.’ Never set cruise control higher than the posted speed limit. Don’t turn off safety features like adaptive cruise control.

Stay calm. Traffic congestion, running late and rude driving all raise the risk for aggressive behaviors like speeding. Plan ahead as much as possible so you’re not in a rush.

Follow at a safe distance. Leave about seven to eight seconds between you and the vehicle ahead. Double your following distance in bad weather or heavy traffic.

Watch those curves. Always slow down before you enter a curve to prevent cargo shifts and rollovers. Take turns and ramps at 5 – 10 mph below the posted limit.

Look ahead. Watch the road for slowing or stopped traffic at all times. Avoid cell phones and other distractions while your truck is in motion. If you must use a cellular device, ensure it’s hands-free and set up before you start your drive.

How CARM Affects U.S. Exporters

CARM is relevant to U.S. exporters because many of them act as NRIs in Canada. An NRI is a business located outside of Canada that ships goods to consumers, retailers or businesses in Canada and assumes responsibility for customs clearance and other import-related requirements. Online U.S. businesses that sell in Canada, for example, may use the NRI program.

Before May 2024, importers and other trade chain partners need to register and adapt their systems and business practices. At first glance, the process appears daunting. However, CBSA has provided plenty of resources, including webinars and a detailed user guide.

How to Register for CARM

Most importers and NRIs will engage their Canadian customs broker for help with CARM. While this is a good idea, CBSA makes it clear that:

• Importers need to register their businesses and delegate a business account manager in CARM as soon as possible.
• Customs brokers need to get their clients to register and may need new software.
• If you are a trade consultant, find out what you need to do to advise your clients.

The CARM onboarding steps are:

1. Obtain a Business Number. Current importers and NRIs will already have a BN.
2. Create a CARM account portal.
3. Link user account with business account.
4. Grant access to employees or representatives.
5. Conduct business with CBSA.

CARM Tips

Here are a few pro tips from a recent CBSA webinar:

• During initial setup select a Sign-In Partner or create a GC key. The Sign-In Partner option allows users to log in through the web portal of their financial service provider. Sign-In Partners are financial institutions and banks that have partnered with Secure Key Technologies to enable their customers to use their online credentials to log in to other secure sites. A GC Key is a unique credential that protects your communications with online Government programs and services.
• Users have the option to set up multifactor authorization, a personal profile and preferences.
• Register a Business Account Manager (BAM) in the CARM portal. CBSA recommends at least two BAMs to ensure account access in the event of staff changes.
• Request a Statement of Account from customs brokers to answer any questions about transactions during the onboarding process. The CARM portal will bring all information together.
• Decide delegation of authority to employees, customs brokers, consultants, etc.

This article is a brief overview of CARM and will, hopefully, help importers and NRIs start the process with time to spare before May 2024. I have always found the CBSA website to be user-friendly and strongly recommend consulting it for research.

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Led by the Danish Embassy and the Consulate General of Denmark in India, the new alliance is poised to advance the green fuels sector, including green hydrogen, says an official release from Maersk.

“GFAI’s primary objective is to promote sustainable energy growth in India by establishing an ecosystem that encourages collaboration among businesses, government entities, research institutions, and financial stakeholders from both the Indian and Danish sectors.”

Nine Danish organisations already committed to the GFAI initiative as founding members include Maersk, Topsoe, Umwelt Energy, Mash Makes, European Sustainable Solutions, Novozymes, Danfoss, Brdr. Christensen and Hydrogen Denmark, the release added. “The GFAI advisory board members include India Hydrogen Alliance, Energy Consortium at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, the Danish Energy Agency and State of Green.”

Freddy Svane, Ambassador of Denmark to India, says: “Our planet needs action. The Tamil Nadu investors summit is happening at this very important junction. Danish companies bring skills to the green transition globally. Happy to see the special efforts through the Green Strategic Partnership to inspire India in her endeavours of greening its development. The Green Fuels Alliance India is powering initiatives within the energy transition. May our joint contributions be significant and inspirational.”

Morten Bo Christiansen, Head of Energy Transition, Maersk adds: “The availability of green energy and green fuel in sufficient quantities at cost-competitive price levels is the single largest challenge to the global shipping’s net-zero journey. India has excellent conditions for renewable energy production and ambitions to be a global leader in the green energy value chain. Drawing on our more than 100 years of business relations with the nation, we are very excited to join the involved Indian and Danish stakeholders as a founding member of the Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI).”

As green fuels gain prominence in India, GFAI will facilitate knowledge sharing, business opportunities, and strategic and financing partnerships between Indian and Danish actors in the field of green fuels, including Green Hydrogen.

Maersk has set a Net-Zero greenhouse gas emissions target for 2040 across the entire business and has also set tangible and ambitious near-term targets for 2030 to ensure progress, the release added.

The ceremony, attended by Penske representatives, UTI Dallas students, faculty and community members, underscored the opportunities that are available for students when partnerships between schools like UTI and key industry leaders like Penske are formed.

“This new classroom reflects our commitment to advancing technology and fostering academic excellence,” said Jesus Mirando, UTI Dallas Campus President. “We extend our gratitude to Penske for their instrumental support in making this endeavor a reality.”

In 2010, during the Dallas campus’ establishment, Penske was the first to pioneer a partnership with the Institute this way. Over the years, this space has been a hub for students aspiring to enter the dynamic world of transportation, logistics and technology. Fast forward to today, and the dedication ceremony marked the next chapter in this longstanding collaboration and a renewed commitment to innovation in the field of technical education.

The relationship between the Institute and Penske is a source of encouragement for students aspiring to enter the field, offering them a promising pathway by combining academic insights with the practical exposure needed for future success.

Sal Boemia, Penske south-central area maintenance manager, and Jeff Hunt, Penske south-central region vice president of field maintenance, both spoke passionately about the significance of investing in education and the pride they felt in being part of a decade-long collaboration. They emphasized the crucial role that technical institutes play in shaping the future workforce, especially in industries with a significant need for skilled professionals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 28,500 openings for diesel service technicians and mechanics are projected each year, on average, over the next decade.

“When this opportunity first came about a decade ago, it was a natural extension of our belief in the power of education,” said Hunt. “We’re thrilled to continue our collaboration with the Institute, empowering the next generation of professionals and actively drawing in top talent to fuel ongoing advancements in the field.”

Penske has a longstanding relationship with many UTI campuses across the nation and works with leading technical schools and related organizations such as SkillsUSA and the TechForce Foundation to meet its growing demand for diesel technicians. Due to the Dallas campus’s central location, Penske has recruited numerous graduates from the Institution for all its locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. As of this Spring, Penske has hired nearly 4,000 graduates from UTI institutes nationally.

Penske Truck Leasing operates and maintains one of the industry’s largest fleets with its truck maintenance technician workforce comprising about 10,400 of the company’s 42,400-plus associates. Visit Penske’s career sites: https://technician.penske.jobs and https://penske.jobs/body-shop/ to learn more about diesel and body shop technician careers and to apply for openings across North America.

By: Move Ahead Staff