From cowingc@u.washington.edu Wed Feb 3 13:59:32 1999 Received: from mxu3.u.washington.edu (mxu3.u.washington.edu [140.142.33.7]) by lists.u.washington.edu (8.9.1+UW98.09/8.9.1+UW98.09) with ESMTP id NAA20144 for ; Wed, 3 Feb 1999 13:59:32 -0800 Received: from mailhost1.u.washington.edu (mailhost1.u.washington.edu [140.142.32.2]) by mxu3.u.washington.edu (8.9.2+UW99.01/8.9.2+UW99.01) with ESMTP id NAA27504 for ; Wed, 3 Feb 1999 13:59:31 -0800 (PST) Received: from ciber_4 (D-128-95-138-155.dhcp2.washington.edu [128.95.138.155]) by mailhost1.u.washington.edu (8.9.2+UW99.01/8.9.2+UW99.01) with SMTP id NAA05758 for ; Wed, 3 Feb 1999 13:59:31 -0800 (PST) From: "Carol Cowing" To: Subject: FW: Free Trade in High Tech and China Banking Reforms Date: Wed, 3 Feb 1999 13:59:32 -0800 Message-ID: <001701be4fc0$7af31a20$9b8a5f80@ciber_4.soba> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook 8.5, Build 4.71.2173.0 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.2106.4 FYI - -----Original Message----- From: WSCRC@aol.com [mailto:WSCRC@aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 1999 1:38 PM Subject: Upcoming Programs TO: Washington State China Relations Council Members DATE: February 3, 1999 RE: Upcoming Programs FREE TRADE IN THE HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY: THE PACIFIC RIM Greg Rushford Editor and Publisher, The Rushford Report Wednesday, February 17, 1999 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce 1301 5th Avenue, Suite 2400, Seafirst Room With the 1999 World Trade Organization meeting scheduled for Seattle, a number of issues regarding free trade have come to the attention of Greater Seattle. Washington is the most trade-dependent state in the U.S., with one in every four jobs being directly tied to trade. The recent Asian economic crisis has severely constrained exports to the Pacific Rim, creating a sizable U.S. trade deficit. In the wake of the crisis, domestic lobbies for industries such as steel and textiles are calling for America to raise trade barriers to imports. According to Commerce Secretary Daley, these trade issues could lead to "substantial disengagement," with the deficit "hang[ing] like a dark cloud" over U.S. bilateral relations with countries in the Pacific Rim. Of key concern to our region, U.S. exports of high technology to China have come under serious fire in Washington, DC and American companies are losing business to overseas competitors. What role does free trade play in U.S. national-security? Have "micro" trade spats - from salmon to DRAMs - between the US and its trading partners undermined international support for the WTO? As editor of the Rushford Report, and frequent contributor to the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, National Observer, and Los Angeles Times, Greg Rushford will be addressing these questions and more. Come learn what the future holds for trade with the Pacific Rim. Sponsored by the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle and the Washington State China Relations Council. Advance registration is preferred, as space is limited. A box lunch will be served. The cost for the event is $10.00 (members) and $12.00 (non-members) pre-paid, or $15.00 at the door. Refunds cannot be given for cancellations made after Tuesday, February 16. Along with this form, please send your check or complete VISA/MasterCard information to the Trade Development Alliance: 1301 5th Avenue, Suite 2400, Seattle, WA 98101-2603, fax (206) 624-5689. Please contact Jennifer Kischner at (206) 389-7301 for more information. CHINA'S BANKING REFORMS: A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION? Dan Fisher, Vice President Trade Services Officer, Wells Fargo HSBC Trade Bank Thomas Taylor, Vice President of U.S. Bank International Division Thursday, February 18, 1999 Registration 11:30 a.m. Lunch 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. China Harbor Restaurant 2040 Westlake Avenue North In September of 1998, at a crucial time in the Asian economic crisis, the Chinese government reinforced state banking policies which included implementing strict controls over foreign exchange transactions. Specifically, Chinese foreign exchange authorities are requiring larger deposits for letters of credit and more thorough credit checks for state enterprises, as well as conducting inspections to make sure the banks are complying with the new rules. Although these policies are an important step in China's financial sector reform and overall economic reform, they have made it difficult for Chinese importers to obtain hard currency to pay for imported goods. Given this obstacle, U.S. companies doing business in China will most likely find that these banking regulations have created a temporary trade barrier with China. In February, to ring in the Chinese New Year, the World Trade Club and the Washington State China Relations Council have teamed up to bring you a luncheon program on these banking reforms taking place in China. We are pleased to have two international bankers with expertise in China's banking system who will provide information on these new regulations and explain how your company can overcome these obstacles and continue to do business effectively with China. Dan Fisher is an HSBC employee currently on assignment as Vice President Trade Services Officer with Wells Fargo HSBC Trade Bank in Seattle. Mr. Fisher is responsible for sales of international banking in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Utah. Working with HSBC Bank in various executive capacities since 1983, he has traveled and trained executives in international trade and banking courses in 44 of the 81 countries that HSBC conducts business in, including much of Southeast Asia, China, Korea and Taiwan. Thomas Taylor is a Vice President of U.S. Bank International Division and manages the Asia Region and International Private Banking. He has the overall responsibility for the bank's relationships with foreign banks and foreign corporations in Asia. Previously, Mr. Taylor was Manager of West One Bank, Washington's International Business Banking Department, and prior to that he spent 12 years with Rainier Bank and Security Pacific Bank, including assignments in Corporate Banking and as a team leader in international banking. Born and raised in Taiwan, Mr. Taylor is fluent in Taiwanese, Mandarin and Cantonese. Sponsored by the World Trade Club and the Washington State China Relations Council. Prepaid reservations must be received in the World Trade Club office by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 15, 1999. The cost for the event is $24 for members paid in advance or $30 for non-members and members at the door. Refunds are not possible within 48 hours of the event. Please send your check or complete VISA/MasterCard information to the World Trade Club: P.O. Box 21488, Seattle, WA 98111, fax (206) 283-9444. Please call (206) 283-9400 for more information. .