Mitigating Risks of Export
HOW TO ~ vet your international partner ~ ensure payment ~
~ reduce risk in contract terms and business dealings~
From vetting unsolicited sales inquiries, to the theft of intellectual property and the illegal purchase of controlled technologies, international scams, fraud and deceit are increasing with new and more sophisticated schemes. And if your product is good, chances are somebody somewhere is going to try to copy it or your brand name. You need to watch who you do business with -- including distributors, OE manufacturers and others. Starting off on the right foot will save you time, money, and anquish -- and sometimes even your shirt!
Practical guidance and immediately useful strategies on protecting your interests and reducing risk exposure in international deals. Learn from international trade professionals in this workshop on mitigating risks of export. Join the U.S. Commercial Service and the Export Council of Oregon and Southwest Washington for discussion covering:
- International Partner/Customer Due Diligence
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Legal aspects of protecting your interests
- Resources and approaches to ensure foreign buyer payment
Two hour session for small and medium sized businesses to help with export success!
Speakers:
Louise Kern - Managing Director, Global Business Information Services
Seeing the surging need for high quality business information in the increasingly global economy, Ms. Kern founded Global Business Information Services, Inc. (GloBIS) in 2003 to cater particularly to the growing number of small and medium sized enterprises expanding internationally. Initially focusing exclusively on China business information, GloBIS forged partnerships with leading Chinese private and quasi-governmental credit reporting and market research enterprises, beating venerable international business information companies to win the US Commercial Service’s contract as its source for International Company Profile (ICP) reports on Chinese companies in the fall of 2004. That same year, GloBIS expanded its coverage to include information on businesses and individuals in over 200 countries. Clients now also span the globe, ranging from one-person operations to Fortune 100s, International Law Firms, Investment Houses, and several Governments.
Ms. Kern has lived in mainland China, Austria, Germany, and France. She speaks fluent Mandarin and German, and is conversant in French. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Chicago and a graduate diploma from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Nanjing University campus. Ms. Kern has been a Board Member of the International Trade Association of Greater Chicago and International Women Associates, and was appointed by the Mayor of Chicago to the Chicago Sister Cities China Committee. http://glo-bis.com
Mabel Luen - Western Regional Director, Meridian Finance Group
Mabel Luen is the Western Regional Director for International Insurance Services at Meridian Finance Group, a company providing credit, insurance, and trade finance tools that exporters use to expand their international sales. A graduate of Temple University (BBA in Accounting and International Business), Mabel has many years of experience in the financial services sector. Prior to Meridian Finance Group, she was with Morgan Stanley and before that she worked in the retail and automotive industries. Mabel and her colleagues at Meridian have received the President’s “E” Award, and honors from the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. and the U.S. Department of Commerce, in recognition of Meridian’s contributions to international trade. www.meridianfinance.com
Shiau Yen Chin-Dennis - Partner, K&L Gates LLP
Shiau Yen Chin-Dennis is a partner in the firm’s Portland office. She focuses her practice on corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, post acquisition integration, joint ventures, restructuring, corporate governance and other international transactions. Shiau Yen has extensive experience working on international corporate and cross-border matters, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, including market entry, expansion and exit; governance, commercial and licensing agreements.
In addition to corporate matters, Shiau Yen has experience with executive employment matters in the Asia Pacific region, including employment and severance agreements; transfers of employees; and trade secret, non-compete and non-disclosure agreements. www.klgates.com
She serves as an international trade advisor to the Export Council of Oregon and Southwest Washington on confirmation by the U.S. Department of Commerce.