UPDATE

Hidden Profits in Foreign Exchange for Exporters & Importers

MBITA would like to introduce its new corporate sponsor, ALLWORLD Currency Exchange, Inc. ALLWORLD Currency Exchange, Inc. offers international businesses a cost-effective alternative to traditional foreign exchange services provided by banks.

Ed Casey, President of ALLWORLD Currency Exchange, Inc. founded the company in 1997. With sixteen years of management in the foreign exchange industry, Ed has built an organization based on customer service second to none in the industry. Doing business in over 120 countries, ALLWORLD prides itself on the long-term partnerships they have created with their clients. Their goal is to become your outsourced foreign exchange department.

Currency exchange is a component of all international trade, both export and import. Knowledge of the exchange process will increase profits for both exporters and importers.

Most importers are painfully aware of the cost of currency exchange and the percentage they are charged when sending payments to foreign vendors. Foreign bank draft fees, wire transfer fees, exchange rates, and receiving bank lift fees are cost potentials within every foreign transaction. All these costs are built into rates or fees and passed onto either the importer or exporter and occasionally both.

Exchange rates are based on the interbank rate, the rate the banks charge other banks when exchanging currencies. The interbank rate is based on the international currency trading market, which changes minute to minute. The retail rate of an individual transaction is equal to the interbank rate plus a percentage charged by your foreign exchange (FX) provider. If your bank or FX provider cannot tell you the direction that the dollar is currently heading compared to other currencies be wary. They are most likely brokering the transactions.

Regional banks, not large enough to justify a dedicated currency trading room, generally use corresponding banks which account for additional transfer fees. Banks large enough to justify trading rooms target customer service to their clients with larger transactions ($500K plus), which leads to increased fees and lead times for smaller transaction processing. Additional costs of exchange for exporters are also generated by the number of days payments take to be credited to the proper account. The average time wired funds are processed and credited to the beneficiary's account should be 48 hours.

Knowing the basic process, what should a company look for when building a relationship with a foreign exchange provider?

Does your FX provider:

• Manage their own back office facilities to process wire bank transfers and foreign bank drafts or broker the transactions?
• Manage it own bank account in the country you are exporting to or importing from?
• Clear foreign currency checks the same day or place a hold on the funds until clear?
• Offer same day tracking of transactions?
• Have the ability to customize products and services to meet your company's special requirements?
• Disclose all fees and charges up front?
• Train your personal Account Executive as a currency trader to provide the up to date market information and trends?

As the newest corporate sponsor of MBITA, ALLWORLD offers to the membership an association volume discount and no transaction fees, along with consultation for your foreign exchange process with an emphasis on where can your process be more cost effective? ALLWORLD has helped their clients save hundreds of thousands of dollars on their foreign exchange transactions. They look forward to providing the same results to the members of MBITA.

"Come for the rates, stay for the service!"

Contact:
Jonathan Ziegler
ALLWORLD Currency Exchange, Inc.
3705 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, 1st Floor
Lafayette, CA 94549
Tel: Toll-Free (US/Canada) +1-888-335-0204
Fax: 206-464-0214
e-mail: jziegler@allworldfx.com
Web: www.allworldfx.com

MBITA New Corporate Sponsor: Pacific IDS

MBITA is pleased to introduce its most recent new member, Andreas Mueller with SynapseFusion, Inc.. Located in Aptos, Ca., SynapseFusion collaborates with US companies in the high tech sector, helping them get established in the European marketplace and vice-versa with European companies, giving them a foothold in the US. We interviewed Andreas Mueller, president of SynapseFusion to shed some light on his company.



SynapseFusion collaborates with US companies in the high tech sector, helping them get established in the European marketplace and vice-versa with European companies, giving them a foothold in the US. We interviewed Andreas Mueller, President of SynapseFusion to shed some light on his company.

Who can benefit from your services?

"Ultimately everybody in high tech will need to look at globalizing at one level or another. It's becoming a matter of survival. And looking beyond your traditional borders is a very exciting prospect, since it brings with it new customers, partners and strategic alliances."

What makes SynapseFusion unique?

"We work with various levels companies in the high tech sector. Our approach is results-oriented. We are seeing too many players who will sit around and supply you with market studies, reports and plans of attack. Then when it comes to moving products or services, they collect their check and it's still up to you. We like to jump in, determine the right direction and make things happen as soon as possible. Our step-by-step process allows you to create online marketing activity in Europe to determine response rates and get an initial customer base. Then we set up meetings with partners and prospects. All this can be done quite efficiently, before you invest in a costly infrastructure overseas."

What does your typical customer look like?

"We do prefer working with high tech companies in the early stages of development, or firms breaking new ground with a product launch. This is where a lot of sizzle can be created from a novel idea and it's the most invigorating environment for everybody involved. "

Do you have any examples how you work with a customer?

"I do. Currently I'm working with a client in the high tech automobile sector who has developed and prototyped a unique hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). What makes his technology so revolutionary is the fact that it will reduce fuel consumption by 85% with no change in driving habits. That's like having your cake and eating it too. Plus you can charge the vehicle right from a standard 110/220V wall outlet."

But aren't other companies working on similar projects?

"True, but none can boast the fuel economy figures coupled with the convenience of easy charging. Just imagine: You could commute to Silicon Valley, work at the office, drive back home, plug in the car and you're all set for tomorrow. But you still have a gasoline engine to complement the electric motor, giving you a range far superior to the current electric-only vehicles. This translates into very infrequent stops at the gas station."

So what is your global strategy for this client?

"He has already pitched his technology to US companies and has received only lukewarm responses. So now we're taking his venture to Europe and trying to set up strategic alliances with companies there. Especially the smaller companies in France, Italy and seem to be more receptive to these ideas. And that's where MBITA ties in as a synergistic partner."

Contact:
Andreas Mueller, President
SynapseFusion, Inc.
7960 B Soquel Drive, Suite 219
Aptos, CA 95003
831-688-7188
Web: www.synapsefusion.com
Email: andreasm@synapsefusion.com

MBITA Russia Initiative

On May 6, 2002, at the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS), the Monterey Bay International Trade Association (MBITA) hosted a delegation of Russian businessmen representing a number of small-to-mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) active in the production of equipment and materials and providing services for the telecommunications industry. The delegation's visit was sponsored by the San Francisco-based Center for Citizen Initiatives and the Santa Clara County-Moscow Sister County Commission. This activity represents the latest in a series of steps begun by MBITA in the second half of 2000 to expand its program of identifying meaningful business opportunities in Russia for California SMEs. Key to this program is the partnership established with the Vladivostok-based Far East Center for Economic Development (FECED), with the objective of integrating the Russian Far East economy more fully into the Pacific Rim and global economies. Building on its ties with and support for the high technology industries, MBITA is seeking to achieve this objective by improving Russian companies' access to the Internet and their use of Internet functions to improve business performance. Central to this initiative is the Global Trade eCommerce Portal (GTEP), being developed jointly with FECED.

GTEP is a web portal designed to provide a collaborative, online environment to inform, train, and support Russian Far East and U.S. West Coast SMEs. GTEP will enhance the skills of entrepreneurs and SMEs in order to facilitate their participation in global eCommerce. These objectives will be accomplished by awareness and better utilization of an existing knowledge base of trade promotion and economic development websites from both the public and private sectors. In addition to these SMC-oriented technology efforts, there will be focused efforts on reaching the multiplier organizations, or promoting to business associations, trade unions and training associations.

MBITA's Russia Initiative is headed by Tony Livoti, MBITA Executive Director. Mr. Livoti has participated in Winrock International and ACDI/VOCA programs in Russia and is keen to see Silicon Valley companies take advantage of opportunities presented by the gradually liberalizing Russian marketplace. The MBITA Russia Initiative enjoys the support and impetus provided by Jim Faith (15-year Silicon Valley veteran), Lilian Surkova (a former developer with WebMDproject manager for several Silicon Valley companies and a native of Irkutsk), and Jeff Procak (former World Bank Country Officer for Russia).

MBITA members who would like to participate in hosting similar commercial delegations in the future should contact MBITA with suggestions regarding sectoral preferences. Similarly, any members who would like to share any previous experiences they've had with Russian business partners are welcome to do so, as we would like to compile a database of reliable (as well as unreliable) business partners for the benefit of the membership at large.

The Russian marketplace is fraught with risk and requires special knowledge of Russian specifics. MBITA would like to do its best to help in minimizing risk. MBITA also stands ready to assist its members in identifying and following up on potential business opportunities in Russia. Stay tuned for more on MBITA's Russia Initiative in the next issue of World Tradewinds.

MBITA Partner: California Central Coast Angel Network

This June, the Central Coast chapter of International Angel Investors (IAI-CC) celebrates its first year of holding monthly meetings at La Scuola restaurant in Castroville, CA.



The purpose of the group is to bring together entrepreneurs, investors and service professionals to start and grow businesses in Central California.

Central California is a unique area. It's near perfect weather and natural beauty makes it among the geographic wonders of the world.

From the human resource side of the equation, it is home to University of California, Santa Cruz; California State University, Monterey Bay; Monterey Institute of International Studies; and the Naval Postgraduate School, as well as several fine junior colleges. There is a huge pool of talented and well educated individuals.

Right now the area has much potential that has not been realized. The leading industries are agriculture and tourism, low paying industries. Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties trade places every few quarters as the two least affordable places to live in the country. This is because the kind of jobs that are here do not pay enough to live here.

The solution to this problem so far has been somewhat unfortunate for the area. One fifth to one fourth of the workforce in the area commute to higher paying jobs in Silicon Valley. This is bad for the area because people spend money where they work, not where they live and people that do not work where they live are disconnected from the schools, political system and other aspects of the community. This has lead to government by default and decaying infrastructure.

Cicely Hansen and Don Steiny are two long time residents that believe that we do have the people and the resources to start businesses in this area so that people can work where they live. They got permission from their friend and mentor, Hal Nissley, founder of International Angel Investors to start a chapter. Hal has many years experience helping companies get started and grow. The purpose of the chapter is not just to educate people about various aspects of business, but to get people together to meet each other, develop relationships and build the social capital needed to make the Central Coast a strong community.

The meetings take place at La Scuola restaurant in Castroville, on the last Monday of the month, unless it is a holiday. The reason for the selected location is because it is pretty close to half way between Santa Cruz and Monterey. The meetings draw people from the whole Central Coast, with several people coming from San Luis Obispo. About one-fifth of the people come from Silicon Valley, very often from Marin County and even Los Angeles and Seattle.

The meetings start with networking and dinner, presentations by companies, a panel discussion or other educational portion and then more networking.

Over the year IAI-CC has had diverse and interesting programs, including the lively "Preparing for the Upswing" where Stanford Economics professor, Rodney Chun put the downturn into a calm perspective while John Flinn from Silicon Valley Bank compared it to a hangover where we were "still looking for the cool spot on the pillow."

Dr. William Miller, Chairman of the Board of Borland, Scotts Valley, CA and founder of the Stanford Computer Science department, has talked about Silicon Valley. Camel Yamamoto, best selling Japanese author, has compared Japanese culture with American. The session on energy drew people from a large area and exposed the group to many new ideas.

The May 20th session is on Biotech. It will feature local and Silicon Valley companies, experts from UCSC and Silicon Valley.

No matter how great the programs are, some feel that the audience is the best part. Just getting to know that fabulous people that live and work in the Central Coast area can be the best part of the meeting. To find out about the monthly meetings, join the mailing list at http://www.ccangels.net.

Contact:
Cicely Hansen, Executive Director
tuckfun@pacbell.netEmail: caangelnet@yahoo.com
Don Steiny, CEO
Infopoint, Inc.
Web: http://www.infopoint.com
Email: steiny@infopoint.com
Tel: 831 471-1671

MBITA & the Federation of International Trade Association (FITA) schedule seminar at SPRINT’S Applied Technology Center in San Mateo (CA) on June 28th

Small Business Development Corporation Technology Advisory Program (SBDCTAP)

Sponsors, Partners, & Affiliates