Category: Past Blogs
Translation for Global Trade: How to Choose a Language Partner
March 29, 2019by WTC Guest Blogger Myriam Siftar, President and CEO of MTM LinguaSoft
is an important ingredient for a successful export program. As your global
footprint grows, customers will expect content in their own language. In
addition to translation for supporting sales and marketing, you may need
packaging and labeling, safety information, manuals, regulatory documents, and
even mobile apps and machinery interfaces.
of very different options, and it can be difficult to decide where to
start.
subject domain, you could work directly with one or more freelance translators
on a contract basis. Screen freelancers carefully: translators face no official
licensing requirements in the US. You do not want to entrust a technical
translation project to someone who runs it through Google Translate and calls
it done.
Association directory. This professional organization tests and certifies
translators in most business language pairs, so ATA certification is good proof
of competency.
skills. Look for a technical translator with a graduate degree and/or
demonstrated experience in your area of expertise; check references to make
sure they have the right experience.
CAT (Computer Aided Translation) tools. CAT tools ensure consistency across
translations and create “translation memories” to cut the costs of future
updates. SDL Studio and MemoQ are
industry leaders, and most professionals have experience with one of these.
freelancers:
- If you are translating into more than one
language, the administrative work of managing multiple freelancers will increase
exponentially. - You are working with a technical translator and
you need marketing copy as well, one person might not be skilled in both. As
with technical vs. creative writers, translators tend to specialize in one or
the other. - You’ll need a back-up plan in case your
translator runs into trouble meeting a deadline. - If you need additional language-related services
like DTP, software localization, or subtitling/voiceovers you may need to
contract separately for these with someone else.
Partners (LSPs)
translators in many language pairs and subject domain specialties, with
in-house bilingual project managers and a dedicated vendor management function
for vetting and testing linguists. Because of the technical demands of digital
platforms, an LSP should have a strong information technology infrastructure
and knowledge base. They also tend to offer a variety of language related
services beyond translation.
LSP?
in the US, from SMEs to multinational corporations. If you search Google using “translation
services in Philadelphia,” you are likely to find the largest international
translation companies. The question you should ask yourself is whether the size
of your export program warrants top-shelf treatment from a company whose
clients include 3M, Northrop Grumman, and Toshiba.
guidance and consultation as you grow your export program. You might not find
them on the first page of the search listings, or even the second. Asking for
referrals from colleagues is a more effective search method if you are looking
for a partner who is familiar with your industry and will take the time to
understand your needs.
exist to help members share information.
Asking here would be a good first step. LinkedIn is also a resource for
finding out whether your business network connects to LSP personnel.
an LSP?
language and do a competent job on a translation project. The main
differentiator between LSPs is what they bring to their relationships with
their clients. Your expectations for an LSP should be similar to your
expectations for a creative agency or marketing firm. They should have an
established record of doing good work, and they should know your industry and
be eager to learn more about your export program and translation needs.
provide names and contact information of references in your general business
domain (law, manufacturing, pharma, etc.). If they refuse, or if their contacts
are less than enthusiastic, keep moving!
to localize a website or translate marketing content, you want to work with
project managers who can communicate clearly with your developer or creative
team. If you are localizing digital media like e-learning, software, websites,
and mobile apps, you’ll want a project manager with the relevant technical
expertise.
ask you?
establish the groundwork for an ongoing partnership, you should pay attention
to what the LSP asks you. Their questions should include:
- Who is the audience for the translated
materials? What is their level of technical sophistication? - Do you need translation for publication or will
it be used in-house? - Do you have previously translated materials that
can be used as references? - Do you plan to re-use content to publish on
different digital platforms? - Do you have a list of approved terminology for
your English language publications and a style guide? - What are your timelines?
client has different needs. During the first few translation projects, you
should expect a lot of requests for clarification from your project manager.
They’ll want to make sure the deliverables are exactly what you need, and
you’ll be educated on localization workflows. However, as time passes, your
language partner will understand your requirements and preferences and the
process will move smoothly.
Retaliatory Tariff Resources from the US Department of Commerce
October 26, 2018posted by Tina Weyant
Below is a listing of useful website links from the US Department of Commerce regarding foreign retaliatory actions to the U.S. Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs as well as China’s responses to U.S. Section 301 tariffs.
General Information about Foreign Tariff Retaliations:
Details regarding additional duty rates and their effective dates and links to each country’s official announcements are included for the following countries:
- Canada
- China
- EU
- India
- Japan
- Mexico
- Russia
- Turkey
https://www.trade.gov/mas/ian/tradedisputes-enforcement/retaliations/tg_ian_002094.asp#P4_161
Section 232 Investigations Overview and Documents:
A great starting place is the website for Section 232 Investigations, where links for investigations, proclamations and dockets can be found via the steel and the aluminum page.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection website also has a useful information page regarding the Section 232 Tariffs, and a helpful list of FAQs.
Finding Objections, Rebuttals, and Surrebuttals for Section 232 Product Exclusion Requests:
The steel and aluminum rebuttal and surrebuttal files are uploaded daily to the Section 232 Investigations website as an Excel workbook. The files catalog each objection, rebuttal, and surrebuttal Identification Number associated with each Exclusion Request. Instructional guides as well as a video are available.
Contact Points for Questions Related to Section 232 Tariffs:
– Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce: Additional $16 Billion Trade Action:
- Steel: (202) 482-5642, Steel232@bis.doc.gov
- Aluminum: (202) 482-4757, Aluminum232@bis.doc.gov
– U.S. Customs and Border Protection:
- traderemedy@cbp.dhs.gov
Section 301 Investigations:
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative webpage regarding the Section 301 investigation provides links to the investigation documents, hearing and regulations.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection site includes a page dedicated to the Section 301 Trade Remedies. A downloadable Section 301 HTSUS Reference guide is available. This page also includes a link to FAQs
Section 301 Exclusion Process:
Here is a link to the Section 301 exclusion process, and the Section 301 Hotline: (202) 395-5725.
The exclusion request forms, along with detailed instructions as well as the list of products for the initial $34 Billion Trade Action and the additional $16 Billion Trade Action can be found on this page.
Contact Points for Questions Related to Section 301 Tariffs:
– U.S. Trade Representative, Section 301 Hotline: (202) 395-5725
– U.S. Customs and Border Protection: traderemedy@cbp.dhs.gov
Duty Drawback for Section 232 and Section 301:
- No drawback shall be available with respect to the Section 232 duties imposed on any aluminum or steel article
- Section 301 duties are eligible for duty drawback
Contact your local US Commercial Service office for more information.
US Commercial Service – Philadelphia
One Penn Center
1617 John F. Kennedy Blvd. Suite 1580
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1815
Office.Philadelphia@trade.gov
Telephone: (215) 597-6101
Fax: (215) 597-6123
Philadelphia Website
Bringing the World to PA 2018
September 27, 2018Posted by Katrina Chan
The World Trade Center Harrisburg in conjunction with the Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development hosted the 19th annual Bringing the World to PA. Participants showed up as early as 8:30AM on Thursday, September 13, 2018 for their appointments with the Trade Representatives.
Appointments with PA’s Trade Offices:
PA’s authorized trade representatives had the opportunity to meet with local companies that represent a wide range of industries that manufacture unique products. Throughout the day, there were meetings held at the Cork Factory Hotel with companies to discuss international market opportunity to fit their respective businesses.
Pennsylvania’s Authorized Trade Representatives that were present include:
Lunch Reception:
Lunch was served at the Cork Factory Hotel, with various representatives from providers such as Fulton Financial, FTZ 147, and UPS coming on stage to present about the opportunities and services available for companies. After lunch and desert was a short networking session before the afternoon meetings commenced.
BTW2PA ended with a cocktail reception that was generously sponsored by Fulton Financial Corporation. Companies were able to network and interact with our Sponsors and Trade Representatives in an informal setting.
It was a great day, and we look foward to seeing you next year!
Special Thank You to our Sponsors
The World Trade Center would like to thank its sponsors and partners for their kind support for the Bringing the world to PA Annual Event.
Our Silver Level Sponsors:
UPS
Our Bronze Level Sponsors:
FTZ 147
Fulton Financial Cooperation
Strategic Partners:
MANTEC
PA’s Office of International Business Development
2018 Impact of Trade Key Findings
August 3, 2018Posted by Brynne Godfrey, Intern
During my summer Statistical Analysis and Economic Impact internship with the World Trade Center Harrisburg, I was in charge of compiling the Impact of Trade: An Analysis of Goods and Services Exported 2016 report. Export data by Pennsylvania county was provided by the Brookings institution in the form of nearly 123,000 NAICS codes. This dataset was unlike most due to its comprehensive nature; not only did it include merchandise export data, but data on services was incorporated as well. I was in charge of first cleaning the dataset and then began to analyze the statistics, constructing graphs and tables in order to examine the impact of trade in the eight counties within the Southcentral Pennsylvania region and compare them to the county as a whole. Analysis on the Southcentral region compared to the other regions and the entire state of Pennsylvania was also completed.
Analysis from this report is based on the years 2003-2016. This time period accounts for post-recession economic growth and a falling unemployment rate. Exporting and global trade played a significant role during this time period to help the economy prosper again as more and more companies continued to enter the global market. This report focuses on the impact of exports and how it bears on the economic well-being of Pennsylvania, specifically in the Southcentral region.
Key Findings
Many significant findings could be pulled from the data provided by the Brookings Institution. Some key findings were:
- From 2003 to 2016, the Southcentral Pennsylvania region experienced an overall real export increase of 50.72%.
- Southcentral PA is ranked second in terms of exported manufactured goods, exporting only about $600 million less than the Southeast region and exceeding the Southwest region by over $2.0 billion.
- The Southcentral region is ranked third in terms of real exports from all combined industries.
- Exports supported 69,344 jobs in the Southcentral region in 2016.
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Event Recap: 19th Annual International Trade Conference
May 2, 2018posted by Katrina Chan
This year marks the WTC Harrisburg’s 19th Annual International Trade Conference, held at Reading, PA. The conference theme was “Celebrating Export Excellence in Berks County!”, to recognize and showcase successful local exporters from across the region.
Every year, the WTC Harrisburg holds the International Trade Conference, because we recognize the importance for local exporters to establish the right connections, have easy access to available resources, and to have a clear understanding of the current state of our economy in relation to how that affects different industries.
The event started at 8.30am, with a total of 60 attendees. The morning session, “Agony or Ecstasy”, was presented by Dave Hanson of Fulton Financial Advisors who gave a lively overview of the state of our global economy and how that ties to the US economy.
The four breakout sessions that followed the morning keynote presentation were:
- Effective Strategies for Global Online Marketing
- Global Trends in Managing Trade Compliance Amid Today’s Changing Trade Policies
- GDPR: Are You Ready for the Most Important Change in Data Privacy Regulation in 20 Years?
- Fraud Detection and Prevention
The luncheon presentation that followed spotlighted 3 successful exporters from Berks county: Adhezion Biomedical, HemaPrep and Radius. Participants were able to ask the panelists questions and gain insight from the experience of these three companies.
The conference ended with a networking reception with an assortment of desserts.
We would like to thank the following:
Silver Sponsor:
UPS
Bronze Sponsors:
Fulton Financial
FTZ 147
Strategic Partners:
MANTEC
Greater Reading Chamber of Alliance
SBA
PA Department of Community and Economic Development
Thank you to our exhibitors and attendees! We hope to see you next year!
Netherlands Day in Harrisburg
April 30, 2018posted by Katrina Chan
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| Left to right: Allan Kline, President of Klinge Corporation and WTC Board Member, Consul General Dolph Hogewoning and Amabassador Henne Schuwer |
What You Need to Know About the New Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
March 9, 2018posted by Tina Weyant
Steel articles are defined with reference to the following U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule‘s 6-digit subheadings:
- 7206.10 through 7216.50
- 7216.99 through 7301.10
- 7302.10
- 7302.40 through 7302.90
- 7304.10 through 7306.90
Aluminum articles are defined as follows:
- HTS 7601 – unwrought aluminum
- HTS 7604 – aluminum bars, rods, and profiles
- HTS 7605 – aluminum wire
- HTS 7606 and 7607 – flat rolled aluminum products, including plate, sheet, strip, and foil
- HTS 7608 and 7609 – aluminum tubes and pipes and tube and pipe fitting
- HTS 7616.99.51.60 and 7616.99.51.70 – aluminum castings and forgings
- produced in the United States “in a sufficient and reasonably available amount or of a satisfactory quality” or
- subject to specific national security considerations
Recap: 4th Annual State of the Ports Address
February 27, 2018posted by Katrina Chan
2017 Recap: Annual Holiday Luncheon and Reception
February 1, 2018 |
| Annual 21st Holiday Luncheon |
The World Trade Center Harrisburg team hosted the annual holiday luncheon on December 1st at the Out Door Country Club, York, PA for board members, members and sponsors. The luncheon started with an opening reception and light refreshments were served.
Tina Weyant presented the opening speech, highlighting key events that happened in 2017 – one big update being the move from York to the new Harrisburg World Trade Center Building.
This luncheon marked Jan Kreidler’s last event as an employee of the WTC. Jan has been diligently working at the World Trade for the past 15 years. All of us at the World Trade Center will miss her, but we wish her all the best with retirement.
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| Jan’s Appreciation |
For this year’s holiday luncheon, intern Katrina Chan delivered a lively and informative presentation about holiday customs and gift giving traditions in Malaysia.
For more information about Malaysia, the link to her presentation is here (including video links).
The luncheon ended with a short networking session accompanied with an assortment of desserts.
We would like to thank attendees and members joining us in celebrating another successful year.
We would also like to thank the following event sponsors:
Gold
Central Pennsylvania Foreign Trade Zone
Silver
Fulton International Group
Harrisburg Academy
Mantec
Stambaugh Ness
UPS
York County Economic Alliance
This event was made possible because of their generosity!
Bringing the World to PA 2017
September 19, 2017Posted by Katrina Chan, Intern
This past week, The World Trade Center Harrisburg in conjunction with the Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development hosted the 18th annual Bringing the World to PA . The event kicked-off at 7:30AM on Thursday, September 14, 2017 with registration which was followed by breakfast.
Appointments with PA’s Trade Offices:
PA’s authorized trade representatives meet with local firms eager to expand and grow their businesses. Companies had the opportunity to meet one on one with trade representatives throughout the day to discuss international market opportunity and map out a strategy that was custom fit to their respective businesses. These representatives cover 47 different international markets for Pennsylvania.
All of Pennsylvania’s Authorized Trade Representatives include:
Companies that attended the event represented a broad range of industries that manufacture unique products.
Lunch Reception:
Lunch was served at the Sheraton-Harrisburg Hotel where the event was held. This year’s keynote speaker was Kieran Dolan, the VP of Bank of Ireland Global Markets.
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| Lunch at the Sheraton-Harrisburg Hotel |
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| Dolan’s insightful message included a background and analysis of the market in Ireland, United States, and an overview of the Ireland-US trade relationship |
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| Representatives from UPS, Fulton Financial Corporation and Stambaugh Ness |
A networking session followed shortly after lunch, allowing companies, exhibitors, sponsors and trade representatives to connect. The day ended late afternoon at 4pm.
Special Thank You to our Sponsors
The World Trade Center would like to thank its sponsors and partners for their kind support for the Bringing the world to PA Annual Event.
Our Silver Level Sponsors:
Stambaugh Ness
UPS
York County Economic Alliance
Our Bronze Level Sponsors:
Bank of Ireland
Fulton Financial Cooperation
Strategic Partners:
MANTEC
PA’s Office of International Business Development