Carnet service for temporary exports celebrated on 40th anniversary
New York, N.Y., May 18, 2009 – The United States Council for International Business (USCIB), a leading pro-trade group based in Midtown Manhattan, was honored with the Department of Commerce’s Export Appreciation Award at a breakfast today at Baruch College. The award, presented as part of the New York-area celebration of World Trade Week, recognized USCIB’s innovative ATA Carnet service for temporary exports.
“We are delighted to receive recognition for this invaluable commercial tool,” said USCIB President and CEO Peter M. Robinson in accepting the award. “Companies of all sizes use Carnets to operate smoothly across borders. What’s more, Carnets can help pave the way for new overseas sales, which are more important than ever as we seek to get our economy out of recession.”
Introduced in the United States forty years ago this month, ATA Carnets are internationally recognized customs documents, accepted in 65 countries, that allow for temporary duty-free, tax-free import of commercial samples, professional equipment and goods displayed at trade shows. USCIB issues and guarantees Carnets in the United States from it’s New York offices and via a nationwide network of service providers.
Companies find “merchandise passports” essential for reducing costs and speeding global operations. The ATA Carnet system was developed by the International Chamber of Commerce, the world business organization USCIB represents in the United States, and the World Customs Organization. (“ATA” is a combination of the French and English abbreviations for “temporary admission.”) More information on ATA Carnets is available at www.merchandisepassport.org.
Originally proclaimed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, World Trade Week is marked in cities nationwide to celebrate international trade’s contributions to the U.S. economy. The New York-area trade community will celebrate World Trade Week with a full agenda of conferences, educational seminars, global business networking events and an awards breakfast recognizing exemplary contributions in the field. More information, including a complete roster of events, is available at www.wtwnyc.org.
President Obama, in a proclamation issued by the White House, stated: “The United States is well-positioned to reap the benefits of trade. America is a leader in the global marketplace and ranks at the top of almost every measure of global competitiveness. Our businesses, workers, and farmers remain the most innovative, productive, and adaptable in the world. The United States is also the world’s largest exporter.”
USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and prudent regulation. Its members include top U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of our economy, with operations in every region of the world. With a unique global network encompassing leading international business organizations, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide, and works to facilitate international trade and investment. More information is available at www.uscib.org.
Contact:
Jonathan Huneke, USCIB
(212) 703-5043
jhuneke@uscib.org
President Obama’s proclamation: World Trade Week 2009
