Trade volumes over the next six months in and out of the U.S. are expected to grow as economic conditions improve and global demand increases, said HSBC in a trade forecast report. HSBC's Trade Confidence Index went up a point compared to six months ago, to the highest level in the survey's five year history, the company said. Technology imports are expected to dominate in the U.S. and continued investment in research and development (R&D) will be important for the U.S. to maintain it place as a top technology exporter, the report said.

Baker & McKenzie recently opened an office in Yangon, Myanmar (Burma), said the law firm on Feb. 18. “The Yangon office will help companies navigate opportunities in the country with a particular focus on energy, mining and infrastructure; information technology and telecommunications; consumer goods, corporate transactions and IP,” it said.

The Airforwarders Association's regular membership grew by nearly 25 percent over the past year, much of which coming in recent weeks, the group said in a press release. The AfA now represents 230 freight forwarding companies focused on cargo and over 120 other businesses and organizations, it said. "As they contemplate increased business in an improving economy, forwarders are likely realizing that the regulatory framework for air freight and other commonly used modes is now more extensive and complex than ever," said AfA Executive Director Brandon Fried. "So they want to make certain their voice is heard in Washington and that they have a way to keep current on regulatory and industry developments."

A group of trade associations are working together to create the Conflict Minerals Resource Center, a website meant to "provide education to help companies in the supply chain comply" with Securities and Exchange Commission rules requiring companies to publicly disclose their use of conflict minerals that originate from the Democratic Republic of the Congo or an adjoining country, they said in a press release. "The goal of the joint initiative is to deploy easy-to-use Conflict Minerals compliance tools across the seven industry associations," they said. "By providing the member companies and their vendors and contractors with the information and resources needed to meet the compliance requirements, all players along the supply chain can spend less time navigating policy, and more time producing the products and services that generate economic growth and jobs."

The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), the US Agency for International Development and the African Cotton and Textile Industries Federation signed on to a memorandum of understanding to "expand trade and investment linkages between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa in the cotton textile and apparel sectors," the AAFA said in a press release. The group will "promote Africa as a reliable sourcing destination for international buyers and explore opportunities to promote U.S. trade and investment in Africa," the release said. The effort will include "the exchange of market and import/export policy information, guidance on requirements and best practices, and the promotion of joint solutions to address market constraints," said the AAFA.

The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) sent out a warning that its hotel block for its annual conference has been caught up in a housing scam. The conference is scheduled for April 6-9 at the Red Rock Resort and Casino in Nevada. "You may receive a phone, fax or e-mail transmission that offers a 'deal' on housing," the warning said. "The author's apparent intent is to mislead you their offer is made on behalf of NCBFAA. It is not." The scammers "have a boiler room operation that calls all conference attendees nationwide from their office in California," the NCBFAA said. "In the event that you book rooms through any such organization, please be advised that we will not be able to assist you in any way should rooms be unavailable upon your arrival at the hotel," it said.

Cargo volume at the Port of Long Beach increased by 2.5 percent in November compared to the same month in 2012, it said in a press release. Imports increased 6.5 percent to 296,638 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) and exports rose 9.9 percent to 151,950 TEUs, it said. August through October are typically the peak for ocean-borne imports, "as retailers prepare for a rise in buying as the end-of-the-year holidays approach," the port said. "The November imports are among the first products that are destined for store shelves in the New Year. "

The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) will create a "communal platform to map the automotive supply chain" following an agreement with General Motors, Chrysler and Toyota, the group said in a press release. The agreement marks a " first big step toward creating a centralized supplier data platform for greater visibility into the global supply chain," said J. Scot Sharland, AIAG executive director. "Led by these three early adopters, we're launching with a system that puts command and control of the data into the suppliers' hands and is driven by a federal border security initiative."

The chemical industry would be one of the biggest beneficiaries of completed free trade agreements currently being negotiated and work on the FTAs will be among the top goals for the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates in 2014, said SOCMA Vice President of Government Relations Bill Allmond in a press release. "It's important for members of our organization to work collaboratively with the government to seek new global markets and remove any regulatory barriers that would hinder industry expansion," Allmond said. "Major growth areas in the specialty chemicals industry are in the emerging regions such as Asia due to an increase in manufacturing in those regions. So our [SOCMA and the government] collaboration has got to continue into next year."

APL Logistics opened the first Carmichael International Service customs brokerage office in Laredo, Texas, APL said in a press release. APL bought Carmichael last year (see 12112323). The new office "is well-positioned to handle all commodities, with a strong focus on automotive, apparel, textiles and electronics," said APL. "It also supports import and export management services through the ports of Hidalgo/Pharr, Progreso, Brownsville, Eagle Pass and Del Rio, along with other assigned ports within the customs district." Rosalinda Saenz will run the operation in Laredo, the company said. The new office will further integrate the company within the NAFTA free trade zone, said Tony Zasimovich, APL Logistics’ Senior Vice President of International Logistics Services. “With an enhanced customs clearance and trade capability on the important U.S.-Mexico trade lane, we can provide significant opportunities for our customers with U.S. import business from Mexico,” he said.