Utah District Export Council - US Export Professionals

On Tuesday I attended my District Export Council meeting (DEC), which I've done since 1991. Attending this meeting are some of the most respected Export Professionals in Utah, They provide their services free to help increase USA Trade. The DEC members in Utah are only a small representation of DEC members throughout the United States. See: http://www.districtexportcouncil.com/

See: http://www.trade.gov/

District Export Councils (DECs) are groups of international business professionals, appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, who support the mission of the U.S. Commercial Service of the Department of Commerce by encouraging and supporting exports in their local communities. Closely affiliated with the Commerce Department’s U.S. Export Assistance Centers, the 60 DECs are made up of approximately 1,500 exporters and export service providers who support the U.S. Government’s export promotion efforts throughout the country. Through its global network of trade specialists located in U.S. Export Assistance Centers in 109 U.S. locations, the U.S. Commercial Service works one-on-one with U.S. companies through every step of the exporting process to ensure they are able to export and compete fairly in the global market. Visit export.gov or call 800-USA-TRADE.

If you are an a USA Exporting Professional, contact your local DEC and help others. I did and I'm happy I did.

Salt Lake City Snow verses North Africa and Middle East Sand

Do you prefer the sandstorms of the Sahara over the snowstorm of Salt Lake City?

Morocco (North Africa), Amazighs (Berbers), and Arabs (Definations)

I've been corresponding with Professor Fatima Sadiqi and Arabs and Berbers of North Africa. Dr. Sadiqi, who lives in Fez, Morocco and I came to an agreement for a general definition for Arabs and Berbers.

(1) Arabs or the Arab identity is composed of a group of people in the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe who are linked by history, language, and usually religion. They call themselves Arabs and members of the country in which they live. Dr. Sadiqi added to this that "Copts consider themselves Arab, but not Muslims. Berbers consider themselves Muslim but not Arab".

(2) The Amazighs (Berbers) or Amazigh (Berber) identity is composed of a group of people in history, language, and usually religion. They call themselves Berbers and members of the country in which they live. Dr. Sadiqi added, "I would say that language is the strongest icon of Berber identity."

Understanding the distinction between the two will help you avoid common marketing, sales, and exporting mistakes as you begin exporting your product or service to the North Africa or Middle East area.