NewsLast 30 days:19 Jun 2013: EU Digital Agenda
A recent speach by Neelie Kroes, responsible for the EU's digital agenda outlined her vision for web entrepreneurs in Europe. 07 Jun 2013: ICC selected to assist EC in drive against tax evasion and avoidance
ICC has been selected to participate in a newly created platform established by the European Commission (EC) as part of its concerted drive against tax evasion and avoidance. 05 Jun 2013: South Africa selects Gemalto for its national electronic identity card program
Gemalto, world leader in digital security, will supply the Government Printing Works (GPW) of South Africa with Sealys eID cards for their national identity program. GPW will harness Gemalto’s secure embedded software to protect the holder’s image and biometric data within the secure identity e-document, delivering outstanding levels of integrity and privacy. Moreover, GPW selected the high-end Sealys document fitted with the contactless feature, ensuring added levels of convenience with unrivaled security for citizens. 30 May 2013: WISeKey receives strategic investment
WISeKey and GJC, Grupo Jaime Câmara, two World Economic Forum Global Growth Companies have entered into a Joint Venture Agreement, aiming at the creation of a new company with the name WISeKey Liber expanding WISeKey's global footprint to Latin America and Iberia. 17 Jun 2013: More effort required to open economies to trade, says ICC Open Markets Index
Despite recurring pledges to roll back protectionist measures, the G8 and its larger sibling the G20 are failing to demonstrate global leadership on trade openness, according to the ICC Open Markets Index 2013. The biennial report, commissioned by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), indicates that only one G20 nation ranks among the world’s top 20 open trade markets. 13 Jun 2013: South East Asia mission to target large scale projects for British business
Lord Green is on a two week visit to Southeast Asia to boost the UK’s trade links with the region. During his trip Lord Green will visit Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Bangkok, Rangoon and Naypyidaw.
12 Jun 2013: Shipping Rates Continue to Plummet in May
Xeneta, the price comparison service for sea freight, reveals that the average container freight rates from Asia to North-Europe continues to drop to $2,352 per 40ft container and $1,359 per 20ft, last tracked on the 24th of May. Due to overcapacity and various economic turmoil in the market, the market index for 40ft has taken a massive dip with it being down 52% from May 2012. 10 Jun 2013: WTO Negotiators aim to finalize expanded IT coverage by end July
Japan, as the host of negotiations held during the week on expanding the coverage of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA), organized a transparency session on 31 May 2013 to report on progress on the expansion list itself, the anticipated problems associated with customs implementation, and the sensitivities of some members concerning some items in the proposed expansion. 04 Jun 2013: South East Asia mission to target large scale projects for British business
A two week visit to Southeast Asia by Trade & Investment Minister Lord Green to promote high value opportunities for British businesses in the region begins today. During his trip Lord Green will visit Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Bangkok, Rangoon and Naypyidaw. 03 Jun 2013: EU and Singapore conclude negotiations on Partnership and Cooperation Agreement
Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of
the Commission, and Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K. Shanmugam
have today confirmed the conclusion of negotiations on an EU-Singapore Partnership and
Cooperation Agreement (PCA). 31 May 2013: EU Making the most of Europe’s ports to drive trade and growth-
Speech made by Siim Kallas
Vice-President of the European Commission at the
European Sea Ports Conference, Varna 29 May 2013: China membership bolsters Certificates of Origin Accreditation Chain
China has become the latest country to join the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) World Chambers Federation (WCF) International Certificates of Origin (CO) Accreditation Chain. China’s membership will strengthen the committee’s work to promote the role of Chambers in the delivery of trade facilitation services, especially to small- and medium-sized businesses. 28 May 2013: Logistics revenues surpass pre-recession levels,
The latest report from Ti, Global Transport and Logistics Financial Analysis 2013, reveals the winners and losers in the global logistics industry over what has been a tempestuous six year period. 24 May 2013: WTO announces agenda for Fourth Global Review of Aid for Trade
The WTO announced on 23 May 2013 the agenda for the Fourth Global Review of Aid for Trade to be held at the WTO on 8-10 July. The theme of this year’s event is “Connecting to Value Chains”. The review will focus on the development implications of the global expansion of production chains and will examine how Aid for Trade can help developing countries enter and move up value chains. 23 May 2013: Commission proposes upgrade for 300 key seaports
The European Commission has today launched a new initiative to improve port operations and onward transport connections at 319 key seaports along Europe’s coastline. The guidelines and legal changes being proposed will help port operators upgrade their services and facilities as well as giving them more financial autonomy. 22 May 2013: New ICC standards help define trusted traders
ICC has published a collection of standards to help border authorities determine a standardized definition of a diligent trader. With a widely-accepted premise that low-risk traders should receive benefits for their investment in security and compliance, a variety of “trusted trader programmes”, commonly referred to as Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programmes have been implemented worldwide. | 
