Upcoming Programs
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International Networking Cocktail
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
5:30 - 7:30 P
Butler Square Atrium
100 N 6th Street
Downtown Minneapolis
Every few months the Minnesota District Export Council, the Minnesota International Center, and the U.S. Commercial Service organize a Trade Networking Cocktail for people interested in international business. Mix and mingle with international trade professionals, people doing international business, and hear remarks on export financing from featured speaker, Jan Blaho.
About the presenter:
Prior to joining the Export-Import Bank, Jan Blaho, a native of the Slovak Republic, most recently worked for VUB Bank in Slovakia, where he was a Member of the Board and the Executive Director responsible for the Corporate Banking Division. While there, he directed a staff of over 200 employees and worked with Structured Trade Finance, Syndications, and Small and Medium Enterprises.
Jan also worked with the largest Czech Bank in Prague, Czech Republic, where he managed the division responsible for Structured Finance and Corporate Banking. During his days in Prague he represented CSOB on the Board of Supervisors of CSOB’s joint venture with MNR Rothschild. In addition, he worked for various international banks in the U.S. and Australia, including Westpac Banking Corporation and Lloyds Bank International.
Cosponsors: United States Commercial Service, District Export Council
Cost: $20 per person (includes appetizer buffet and two beverage tickets)
Advance registration requested.
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Recent Programs
Where is Mexico Going and How Will It Affect Minnesota Business?
International Roundtable Series
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Breakfast 7:30 A
Program 8:00 - 10:00 A
With the current global financial crisis, economic relations between Mexico and the United States are more important than ever before. Mexico has transformed itself from a closed economy to one of the most open in the world, growing and becoming more and more integrated with the American economy. As NAFTA has brought about permanent structural changes for the two nations, Mexico has become a country of significant potential that has demonstrated a predictable and stable economic environment where opportunities exist for a wide variety of businesses. Please join us for a candid discussion of the issues and opportunities facing U.S. companies investing in Mexico from a business, tax and legal perspective.
Topics will include:
• Economic and political climate
• Legal system
• Income taxes
• Immigration issues
Presenters include:
Keith Nelson, senior vice president, Commercial and International general counsel, Best Buy, Inc.
Fernando Orrantia Dworak, partner, Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés y Fuentes, S.C.
Jose Manual Ramirez, head of KPMG LLP Mexico Tax Center of Excellence
Nathan Wolf Lustbader, director general for International Economic Promotion Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mexico
Nadim Zoberi, Supply Chain leader, Toro
Tom Zollo, principal, KPMG LLP
Cosponsors: Dorsey & Whitney, KPMG LLC, and the Caux Roundtable
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Doing Business in Nigeria
International Networking Cocktail
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
5:30 - 7:30 P
Butler Square Atrium
100 N 6th Street
Downtown Minneapolis
Corporate Sponsor: Igbanugo Partners Int'l Law Firm, PLLC
www.igbanugolaw.com
Cosponsors: United States Commercial Service, District Export Council
Every few months the Minnesota District Export Council, the Minnesota International Center, and the U.S. Commercial Service organize a Trade Networking Cocktail for people interested in international business. Mix and mingle with international trade professionals, people doing international business, and hear remarks on doing business in Nigeria from featured speaker, Larry Farris.
Mr. Farris is the Senior Commercial Officer for the U.S. Commercial Service in Nigeria.
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Update on Brazil and Argentina
International Networking Cocktail
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Every few months the Minnesota District Export Council, the Minnesota International Center, and the U.S. Commercial Service organize a Trade Networking Cocktail for people interested in international business. Mix and mingle with international trade professionals, people doing international business, and hear remarks on the business climates in Brazil and Argentina from featured speaker, Brian Brisson, the Regional Director for Western Hemisphere for the U.S. Commercial Service.
Cosponsors: United States Commercial Service, District Export Council , Andersen Windows
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Where is Brazil Going and How Will It Affect Minnesota Business?
International Roundtable Series
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Brazil has returned to the world stage. Just six years after a $30 billion rescue by the International Monetary Fund, Brazil's exports are booming and its vast natural resources, political stability, growing middle class and rapid economic growth have attracted significant international investment. Brazil is now the tenth largest economy in the world. It is a leading agricultural exporter and clean energy pioneer, and is undertaking a massive infrastrcture program to modernize its roads, power plants and ports.
Panelists will discuss opportunities and challenges facing U.S. companies doing business in Brazil with a focus on commercial, tax and legal perspectives.
Presenters included:
Christoper Bercaw, Partner, Corporate Group at Dorsey & Whitney
Richard Browne, Senior Vice President, Cenex Harvest States (CHS)
Dr. Mahrukh Doctor, Lecturer, Politics and International Studies, University of Hull, UK
Marienne Munhoz, Partner, KPMG LLC
Michael Royster, Founding Partner, Royster Avogados Associados
Cosponsors: Dorsey & Whitney, KPMG LLC, and the Caux Roundtable
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International Business Briefing: Doing Business in the Middle East
A Panel Discussion
Monday, October 27, 2008
Presented by Faegre & Benson
MIC Corporate Member Faegre & Benson organized a panel discussion on doing business in the Middle East, with specific focus on Saudi Arabia. This session provided practical advice on entering the market, strategy and insights from experienced hands on how to deal with the formalities, and challenges of doing business successfully in this part of the world.
Presenters included:
Congressman Keith Ellison
Edward Burton, president and managing director of the U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council
John Enstone, partner, Faegre & Benson
Cosponsor: U.S. -Saudi-Arabian Business Council
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Business Luncheon with His Excellency Petr Kolar
Czech Ambassador to the United States
Friday, September 19, 2008
MIC and the Czech and Slovak Cultural Center hosted a private luncheon
for corporate members interested in doing business in the Czech Republic. Ambassador Kolar discussed the current business climate
in the Czech Republic, where economic growth has been strong.
This event was by invitation only.
Cosponsor: The Czech and Slovak Cultural Center
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Looking Ahead: Japan's Economic and Political Relations with the U.S. and East Asia
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
MIC and the Japan America Society of Minnesota (JASM) presented a business breakfast forum with:
Masataka Okano, counselor of Political Affairs, Embassy of Japan;
William Farrell, chairman, Dynamic Strategies Asia; and
Masayoshi Yamashita, NTT chief corporate representative.
The panel, moderated by Atsushi Yamakoshi of Keidanren-USA, focused on where Japan's economy is headed with respect to the United States and East Asia, and provided insight into Japan's ever changing political landscape. China's rapid change and economic growth has dominated headlines in recent years, but, as the world's second largest economy, Japan continues to play an important role in the context of China, the U.S. and the rest of East Asia.
Cosponsors: Japanese Embassy to the United States, Keidanren-U.S.A. and the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS)
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Is the Atlantic Getting Wider?
A Business Breakfast Briefing with
British Consul General Andrew Seaton
Friday, September 14, 2007
Consul General Seaton offered his reflections on transatlantic relations, looking at the strategic, political and business aspects of this relationship from the perspective of his four years as British Consul General in the Midwest.
Andrew Seaton assumed his post as British Consul General in Chicago in August 2003. Prior to his arrival in the Midwest, CG Seaton headed the China Hong Kong Department at the British Foreign Office in London, after serving as Deputy Consul General and Trade Counselor in Hong Kong. CG Seaton has also worked in the British Overseas Development Administration as Head of the Aid Policy Department, responsible for development aid strategy and resources.
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Globalisation: Can We All Be Winners?
A public forum with His Excellency Alan Charlton
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Ambassador Charlton spoke on the British government’s international efforts to improve the global environment. A report on global warming by Sir Nicholas Stern, head of the British Government Economic Service, outlines not only the environmental aspects of global warming, but also estimates the negative impact on world’s gross domestic product. The Stern report is the first major economic analysis of the potential costs of tackling, and of failing to tackle climate change.
"For all of us - governments, businesses, faith groups, individuals - climate change is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century," commented Ambassador Charlton.
In Washington since May 2004, Ambassador Charlton is the Deputy Head of Mission for the British Embassy. A member of the British Diplomatic Service since 1986, Ambassador Charlton has served in Germany, the Balkans, Jordan, and Israel.
Cosponsor: the British American Business Council (BABC)/MN
