Featured Country: Germany

Like all European economies, Germany did not escape the international economic crisis. Its economy contracted 5.3% (according to IMF estimates) in 2009, one of the most serious recessions in Europe. The German government rescue plan to bolster the banking system (around 500 billion euro) has restored confidence. A small positive economic growth rate of 0.3% is expected for 2010.

With its 82 millions inhabitants, Germany is the biggest market in the European Community. The country has a long history of industrial development and offers opportunities for potential subcontractors in the automotive industries, machinery and equipment, chemistry, information technologies, etc.

The German American Chambers of Commerce, based in New York with branches in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia ! and San Francisco offer a broad range of services to their member companies and their websites offer good resources for doing business with Germany. For further details also visit their joint web portal.

Germany is also the location of many of the largest trade shows in the world. The largest of all is the Hannover Messe, this year to be held April 19-23 in Hannover. In 2010 the spotlight of the Messe will be industrial automation, energy, technology, industrial subcontracting and cutting-edge technologies. U.S. companies should consider exhibiting at the fair in the U.S. Commercial Service’s American Business Center, co-sponsored by FEDEX and Hannover Fairs USA.

To find business partners and sources for German goods take a look at the Federal German Ministry of Economics and Technology’s eTrade Center, a database of most German companies that are looking for trade opportunities. For Visa, Education and Business Travel, look at the Website of the German Missions in the United States. And for other general purpose and more useful links, visit Deutschland.de , the German Information Portal. If you are needing international health and life insurance, then visit http://www.globalcitizeninsurance.com/ or http://www.worldwidemedical.com./ don't forget also the website of the U.S. Commercial Service in Germany. The site gives extensive information about the markets and business culture there.

If that's not enough, you'll also find plenty of good research at the German Mini Portal, a feature of the FITA Web site. The German Mini Portal has an overview of Germany, with facts about the language, currency, climate, etc., plus more specific information about the economy, markets, taxes, labor market indicators and tips on doing business in Germany.

180 Day Search Begins For Best Place To Live And Retire

Beginning January 17, 2010, world traveler, and published author Michael Manville will embark on an eye-popping 180 day “amazing race”… Read more and follow the journey at http://www.retireworldwide.com/554/180-day-search-begins-for-best-place-to-live-and-retire.htm

Kuwait

Kuwait is a small country of 2.7 millions inhabitants on the northeast of the Arabian Peninsula on the northwestern coast of the Persian/Arabian Gulf. Kuwait City is its capital city.

Kuwait is a resource-rich nation that has lagged behind other countries in the Middle East in attracting foreign direct investment. Since Saddam Hussein invaded nearly two decades ago the aftermaths of the war still affect every Kuwaiti family and the war’s consequences still limit economic expansion. On the other hand, Kuwait has many ingredients necessary to expand rapidly: a strategic location, a strong regulatory system, abundant oil reserves, and, perhaps most important of all, a new generation of entrepreneurs, as reported in the January 2009 edition of the US-Arab Tradeline (published by the National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce).

Kuwaitis are beginning to invest at home in infrastructure development, tourism, banking and finance, information and communications technology, and commercial activity of all kinds. This will help to diversify the economy and to create new import needs. In Kuwait, the import penetration rate is already the highest in the world: 90% of the goods that are consumed are imported. To follow the latest developments in the country, visit the Kuwait News Agency. You will find a summary of business laws and regulations on Kuwaitiah.net. And if you need the texts of those laws and regulations, you can find them on the website of the Public Authority for Industry.

Also don't forget the website of the U.S. Commercial Service in Kuwait. The site gives extensive information about the markets and business culture there.

If that's not enough, you'll also find plenty of good research at the Kuwait Mini Portal, a feature of the FITA Web site. The Kuwait Mini Portal has an overview of Kuwait, with facts about the language, currency, climate, etc., plus more specific information about the economy, markets, taxes, labor market indicators, and tips on doing business in Kuwait.

From http://www.fita.com/

US Embassy in Uganda Issues Warning

U.S. Embassy Kampala issued the following Warden Message on January 8:

American citizens living in Uganda should be aware of the following excerpt from a January 8 Warden Message passed to American citizens in Sudan by the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum with regard to potential threats to civil aviation involving flights between Juba, southern Sudan and Uganda: "This Warden Message alerts American citizens in Sudan to a potential threat against commercial aviation transiting between Juba, Sudan and Kampala, Uganda. The U.S. Embassy has received information indicating a desire by regional extremists to conduct a deadly attack on board Air Uganda aircraft on this route. While the capacity of these extremists to carry out such an attack is unknown, the threat is of sufficient seriousness that all American air travelers should be made aware. Air travelers on any airline and route should maintain vigilance at all times, and should report any suspicious behavior to the proper authorities."

newtondailynews.com | Tragedy exposes hard truth about high-seas health coverage

newtondailynews.com Tragedy exposes hard truth about high-seas health coverage

Are Foreign Nationals Eligible For Australian Medicare

Temporary visa holders are not eligible for Austalia's national Medicare system. If you intend to permanently reside in Austalia and meet the necessary residence requirements, then you may be eligible. We advise contacting the Medicare office. You can visit them online at http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/.

You do have the option of purchasing private health insurance. Click Here for a free quote.