Message from WTCAK Executive Director, March 10, 2005

Upcoming Events

World Trade Center Alaska invites you to attend our next Luncheon

When: Wednesday, April 6, 2005
Where: Wells Fargo Bank (Northern Light and "C" Street), Fifth Floor
Time: 12 noon (doors open 11:45 am)

Fee: $20- WTCAK member, $25 - non-member

For more information
contact
WTCAK at 278-7233 or e-mail: info@wtcak.org

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Mort Plumb
Director,
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport presented "Airport Update 2005" on Wednesday, March 2, 2005
_________

Premium Level Members

CEO Club:
FedEx
Horizon Lines of Alaska L.L.C.
Wells Fargo Bank Alaska
Lynden International Alaska Railroad Corporation ConocoPhillips Alaska Russia Jet Direct

Corporate:
3M Alaska
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Business Publishing Co.
Alaska Interstate Construction L.L.C.
Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
BP
International Telecom
Northern Air Cargo
Texaco Inc
UBS Financial Services
United Parcel Service

Contact Information

431 West Seventh Avenue, Suite 108, Anchorage, Ak 99501
Phone: (907) 278-7233,
Fax: (907) 278-2982,
Email: info@wtcak.org

Staff

Greg Wolf
Executive Director

Alex Salov
Office Manager

Peter Ratner
Program Coordinator

Dear Member:

Alaska’s international trade continues to grow. The numbers are in, and for the full year ending 2004, exports totaled $3.1 billion, an increase of 15 % over the previous year. Japan remained the number-one destination for the state’s exports, followed by Korea, Canada and China. Seafood maintained its position as the Alaska’s largest export, followed by energy (coal and LNG), minerals and fertilizers.

Among the state’s major trading partners, growth was strongest with China. During 2004, exports to this country jumped 57%. We anticipate that in 2005, China will emerge as the state’s third largest export market, assuming the position long held by Canada.

Recognizing the importance of the growing trade and other business relationships developing between Alaska and China, in 2005 WTCAK will focus on China and how members can get involved and benefit from China’s rise to economic prominence. We are in the early stages of planning an Alaska-China Business Conference to take place this summer and then plan to conduct a trade mission to Hong Kong and Shanghai in the fall. Stay tuned for more details in the weeks ahead.

I would like to remind members to check the WTCAK web site on a regular basis to find out about upcoming events and to access special reports. Take a few moments now to book mark our site: www.wtcak.org
A new addition to our website is the Currency and Commodity Corner that provides real-time quotes on the currencies and commodities of interest to Alaska’s international trade community.
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Finally, if you haven’t already, be sure to purchase your copy of the 2005 Statewide Economic Forecast Report.

We have just a few copies remaining and you order them by phone (278-7233) by using your credit card (we accept MasterCard, Visa and American Express).

until next week,
Greg Wolf

Executive Director

Many thanks to new or renewing members. It is the support of our membersthat enables WTCAK to provide the information and services that help make trade happen

Kumin and Associates
Alaska Interstate Construction, Inc.
Consul of Czech Republic
Consul of Germany
Air Land Transport
Hawk Construction Consultants, Inc.
ASCG Incorporated
Hawaiian Vacations
One of a Kind Design
Horizon Lines of Alaska, LLC.
International Travel Consultants, Inc.
Aleut Enterprise Corporation
Downtown Deli Cafe
Hilton Anchorage Hotel

US China Build, a non-profit government/industry partnership to help US companies export building products and construction services to China, is pleased to announce the availability of advertising space in its Chinese-language US Housing & Building Materials Newspaper.

Issue 7: May 2005 Chinese-language US Housing
& Building Materials Newspaper Advertising
Order Deadline: March 14, 2005

Reach thousands of readers by advertising in the Chinese-language US Housing & Building Materials Newspaper. The 16 page newspaper is mailed to our database of 8,000 companies, posted on the Chinese language website, and distributed at trade events. Issue 7 will receive excellent distribution to key buyers, developers, and building materials specifiers. In addition to direct mailing, the newspaper will be distributed at: The US Pavilion at the Shanghai International Construction & Building Materials Trade Fair, May 24-27, 2005 – Attended by 50,000 construction professionals in 2004. Shanghai Expo/World’s Fair 2010 meeting/seminar with short listed contractors (June 2005) American Hardwood Export Council China Convention (June 2005) – 2004 Attendance: 700+ Pro-Golf Association Show Asia (June 2005) - luxury developments and golf course supply Topics featured in Issue 7 include: Universal/Senior Design Kitchen Design Selecting Energy Efficient Building Products Introduction to Insulation Types Selecting Architectural Coatings for Concrete Buildings Moisture Control Methods in Residential Construction Softwoods Products for Interior Design Glulam Timber Bridges Introduction and China Project Profile Q&A Column, product profiles, and more… Ad prices include professional translation and ad design services. Each company placing a ¼ pg ad or larger will receive a free 250 word.