Businesses and researchers from the Pacific Northwest will gather at a two-day conference at the end of July to learn about the latest in U.S. export control laws and regulations, said Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. The event, titled "Export Controls: Awareness and Application" and presented by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Commercial Service's Seattle Export Assistance Center, Microsoft Corporation, and the law firm of Dorsey & Whitney LLP, will be held at the Microsoft Conference Center in Redmond, July 31 to Aug. 1, ICE said. The conference covers the basics of U.S. export laws and regulations and the latest legal updates. Presenters from private industry and government will discuss best practices and present case studies in export compliance.

The Export-Import Bank authorized $1.2 billion in export financing in four separate transactions to support the export of U.S. goods and services to Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), Mexico’s national oil and gas company. The amount includes a $200 million small-business facility, which will support exports from U.S. small businesses. For the first time, Pemex will offer Ex-Im-guaranteed bond issuances to capital markets to fund the transactions. Pemex anticipates four-to-seven bond offerings that will occur from June to September 2012. In the event the funding cost is prohibitive, Pemex may exercise the option to seek Ex-Im direct loans, an Ex-Im press release said. The Bank’s approval will enable the American exporters involved, most of which are headquartered in Texas, California, and Louisiana, to supply their products, equipment and services to Pemex oil and gas projects, it said.

Against the backdrop of the European debt crisis and tight liquidity constraints, The Export-Import Bank has shown it’s ready and able to step in with its long-term, fixed rate support for U.S. exports when the private sector had withdrawn from export finance, according to Ex-Im Bank’s 2011 Competitiveness report to Congress. But as the recovery continues and liquidity gradually returns to commercial markets, different competitive challenges are emerging, the report said.

The June 27 “Go Global” seminar in Glen Ellyn, Ill., hosted by the Census Bureau and the Small Business Administration. will be postponed until the Fall of 2012, Census said. An AES broadcast message will be sent when the details are solidified, it said. For more information regarding this seminar, contact Ms. Karen Shannon at karen@m-palm.com.

The Bureau of Industry and Security submitted its proposed “Commerce Control List clean-up rule” to the Office of Management and Budget for approval June 23. Also on that date, BIS submitted its proposed rule to move some launch vehicles, missiles, rockets, and military explosive devices from the U.S. Munitions List to the CCL. OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has 90 days to review the proposed rules, which may be extended on a one-time basis by 30 days.

The Export-Import Bank approved two “final commitments” totaling $171 million in export financing for de Mexico S.A. de C.V. (Aeromexico), Mexico's largest airline and a founding member of the SkyTeam Alliance. The transaction triples Ex-Im support for Mexican aviation companies purchasing goods and services from U.S. companies, a press release said. The final commitments approved by Ex-Im Bank will support the export to Aeromexico of Boeing 737 passenger aircraft, as well as various goods and services to be provided by a variety of U.S. exporters. It includes the maintenance, repair and overhaul operations division of engines and auxiliary power units by Delta TechOps in Atlanta, Ga. and Honeywell in Phoenix, Ariz.

The Bureau of Industry and Security posted comments it has received on its proposed rule to move certain energetic materials from Category V of the U.S. Munitions List to the Commerce Control List. The comments address, among other things, proposed controls for aluminum powder and Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene (HTPB).

The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. signed a $1 billion deal with the Sberbank of Russia to facilitate increasing U.S. exports of goods and services to Russia and other countries in which Sberbank operates and Ex-Im Bank programs are available, they said. Ex-Im Bank Chairman Fred Hochberg said "there are tremendous opportunities for U.S. exporters to sell into these markets." Ex-Im sees big potential for U.S. companies is concentrated in aviation, infrastructure, and energy, including both conventional and renewable energy, it said. Ex-Im will consider increasing the amount of financing support if demand exceeds $1 billion, it said.

BIS said the Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC) plans a partially open meeting July 25-26 in Washington, DC. During the open session on July 25, the committee will hear working group reports and industry presentations on the Intel technology roadmap and analog-digital converters, and discuss new business. The open session will be accessible via teleconference to 20 participants on a first come, first serve basis. To join the conference, submit inquiries to Ms. Yvette Springer at Yvette.Springer@bis.doc.gov, no later than July 19.

The Bureau of Industry Security said the Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee (SITAC) will hold a partially open meeting on July 31 in Washington, DC. In the public session, SITAC will hear remarks from BIS management, hear industry presentations, and discuss new business. The open session will be accessible via teleconference to 20 participants on a first come, first serve basis. To join the conference, submit inquiries to Ms. Yvette Springer at Yvette.Springer@bis.doc.gov no later than July 24.