International Business Digest
Center for International Business Education
ISS UE | 2
VOLUM E | 11
DE CEM BE R | 20 14
Global E‐Commerce Business
Global E‐Commerce
Business
Page 1
The global e‐commerce business has been thriving in recent years due to improvement
of online payment systems and rapid growth of the applica ons market. According to
the latest forecasts, global business‐to‐consumer (B2C) e‐commerce sales will reach
$1.5 trillion in 2014 (up 20% from 2013) and $2.4 trillion by 2018. In 2013, online sales
totaled $2.3 billion on Cyber Monday and $5.7 billion on Single's Day, which was the
biggest e‐commerce day of the year.
Editor’s Note
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Latest Trends in Global
Foreign Direct
Investment
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Global Trade and
Business: Current News
& Events
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Contact Informa on
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Most of the growth in the B2C e‐commerce is generated by Asia‐Pacific, which will
likely surpass North America to become the global leader in this market by 2015. Due
to increased access to mobile phones, internet and more secure payment op ons, e‐
commerce has been booming in the Asia‐Pacific region, par cularly in high‐popula on
countries like China, India and Indonesia. China alone will likely contribute more than
50% of this region’s e‐commerce sales this year, which is projected to rise to 70% by
2018. Although consumers new to online shopping in these countries typically tend to
wet their feet with low‐ cket items, the large consumer base there has contributed to
the overall growth of e‐commerce.
E‐commerce con nues to grow steadily at double‐digit rates in North America and
Europe (par cularly in Western Europe), as consumers there regularly make online
purchases and buy high‐ cket items. A recent report found that Europe’s B2C e‐
commerce in 2013 reached €363.1 billion (equivalent to US$486.1 billion), which
registered a 16.3% annual growth. It is projected that the figures for 2014 will be
€425.5 billion (17.2% annual growth), which will rise to €625 billion by 2016.
Here are a few useful resources for global e‐commerce:
Going Global: A Guide for e‐Commerce Expansion: This online guide helps e‐commerce
businesses learn about issues related to taxa on, customs, and overseas payments. The
site also features a tutorial on how to use e‐commerce to export products to overseas
markets.
Retailing Today: This site features news and sta s cs about different sectors of the retail
industry, including e‐commerce. Registra on is required for full access.
globalEDGE blog: This series features useful informa on about global e‐commerce.
Source: globalEDGE Newsle er, November 2014
Michigan State University Interna onal Business Center
Editor’s Note
Gree ngs. It gives us great pleasure to bring to you the 42nd issue of the Prairie
View Interna onal Business Digest, an electronic quarterly newsle er produced by
the Center for Interna onal Business Educa on.
This issue features three sec ons. The first sec on (Global E‐Commerce Business) is
a short commentary on the rapid growth of global business‐to‐consumer (B2C) e‐
commerce. The second sec on (Latest Trends in Global Foreign Direct Investment)
presents up‐to‐date trends in global FDI. The last sec on highlights current global
business/trade news and events. Please note that all URL links are ac ve and you
can go directly to a sec on from the Table of Contents on the first page.
We hope you con nue to find this e‐newsle er a valuable channel for important
informa on rela ng to interna onal business. We believe our efforts will inspire
greater number of local firms to seek out new global business opportuni es.
Should you have any ques ons or sugges ons, please feel free to contact us.
Dr. Rahim Quazi
Editor
Thank you for your support,
Rahim Quazi, Ph.D.
Editor, Prairie View Interna onal Business Digest
Center for Interna onal Business Educa on
Prairie View A&M University
E‐mail | rmquazi@pvamu.edu
Phone | (936) 261‐9225
Fax| (936) 261‐9226
Latest Trends in Global Foreign Direct Investment
 A er the 2012 slump, global FDI inflows in 2013 rose 9% to $1.45 trillion. Short term prospects look posi ve and it
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is projected that FDI flows could rise to $1.6 trillion in 2014, $1.7 trillion in 2015 and $1.8 trillion in 2016.
Developing countries have maintained their dominant share of global FDI, a rac ng 54% of global flows, while
developed economies a racted 39%.
FDI ou lows from developing and transi on countries reached a record high of $553 billion, or 39% of global FDI
ou lows (which was only 12% in 2000).
The poorest countries are becoming less dependent on extrac ve industry investment (e.g. mining). Manufacturing
and services now make up about 90% of the value of announced green‐field projects in Africa and the least
developed countries.
State‐owned investors are FDI heavyweights accoun ng for over 11% of global FDI flows despite making up less
than 1% of all transna onal corpora ons (TNCs).
FDI to all major regions have increased. Developing Asia is the largest FDI recipient, a rac ng more FDI than either
the EU or North America.
Source: World Investment Report 2014, UNCTAD.
Prairie View InternaƟonal Business Digest
Page 2
Volume 11| Issue 2
Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) Awards:
Every year, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Interna onal Trade
Administra on makes several Foreign Market Development Project
awards up to $300,000 to industry groups (non‐profit or governmental).
These projects are designed to help US firms export and create jobs.
Global Trade & Business:
Current News and Events
More details can be found here: h p://ita.doc.gov/td/mdcp/
Careers in Interna onal Affairs, Trade Promo on and Commercial
Diplomacy:
The U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce will
soon be accep ng applica ons for Foreign Service Officers, who serve in
Embassies and Consulates around the world. The Foreign Service Officer
Assessment will be held in spring 2015. For details, see: h p://
www.trade.gov/jobs/world‐of‐opportunity.html
Major Infrastructure Projects in MEXICO: A Resource Guide for U.S. Industry:
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has released an infrastructure project guide with valuable insight for U.S. industry on
priority infrastructure projects throughout Mexico through 2018. The guide also includes profiles of sample projects. The guide is
available at: h p://buyusainfo.net/docs/x_8012471.pdf
Healthcare Technologies Resource Guide: A Reference for U.S. Exporters:
The U.S. Commercial Service has published this resource guide with 66 country profiles. See: h p://export.gov/build/groups/public/
@eg_main/@byind/@healthtech/documents/webcontent/eg_main_068140.pdf
Report on U.S.‐Africa Trade and Investment:
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Interna onal Trade Administra on has published a report, as part of the Doing Business in Africa
(DBIA) campaign, which examines U.S. commercial involvement in sub‐Saharan Africa ‐ one of the world’s fastest‐growing economic
regions. The report is available at: h p://trade.gov/dbia/us‐sub‐saharan‐africa‐trade‐and‐investment.pdf
U.S. Commercial Service Market Research Library:
This library contains more than 100,000 industry and country‐specific market reports, authored by U.S. Commercial Service specialists
working in overseas posts. The library holdings include Country Commercial Guides, Industry Overviews, Market Updates, Mul lateral
Development Bank Reports, Best Markets, Industry/Regional Reports, etc. Samples of recently completed reports include:
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Russia: Registra on of Medical Devices and Equipment (August 2014)
Jordan: Automo ve Market (August 2014)
Austria: Healthcare Resource Guide 2014 (August 2014)
Turkey: Mining Sector (July 2014)
The AMERICAN MADE SHOW, January 16‐19, Washington, DC.
For over 30 years, the Buyers Market for American Cra , one of the premier wholesale markets for designer products handcra ed by
studio ar sts from the U.S. and Canada, has brought together top ar sts and retailers. Their next show will bring the na on’s largest
wholesale marketplace for American and Canadian handmade products under their new name, AMERICAN MADE SHOW. For details,
see: h p://americanmadeshow.com/
(Con nued on page 4).
Prairie View InternaƟonal Business Digest
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Volume 11| Issue 2
Global Trade & Business: Current News and Events
(Con nued from page 3).
Intersec 2015, January 18‐20, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
This is renowned as the world’s largest and most comprehensive trade and networking exhibi on for the security and safety industries.
The 2014 show featured 1,213 exhibitors and was visited by 24,766 visitors from 131 countries. The 2015 show will offer a unique
spectrum of products from the fields of Commercial Security, Informa on Security, Fire & Rescue, Safety & Health, Homeland Security
and Policing. For more informa on, see: h p://www.intersecexpo.com
Expo Manufactura Cintermex, February 3‐5, Monterrey, Mexico.
This Cer fied Trade Fair includes 310 interna onal exhibitors from automo ve, medical, aerospace, electronics and appliance
manufacturing from 20 countries and is visited by more than 10,000 visitors. U.S. exporters can present their products to selected
buyers through the U.S. Buyers Conference program. For more informa on, see: h p://www.expomanufactura.com.mx.
Discover Global Markets: Sustainable Solu ons, February 9‐11, Silicon Valley, California.
There is growing global awareness about implemen ng business prac ces and standards to conserve energy, preserve clean air and
water, and use land more effec vely. U.S. exporters can par cipate in these changes by offering state of the art technologies, services
and products. For more details, see: h p://www.export.gov/california/SustainableSolu ons/
AUTOMOTIVE MEETINGS, February 23‐25, Queretaro, Mexico.
Mexico, one of the 5 largest automobile exporters in the world, manufactures more than 48
car and light truck models. This matchmaking program is organized by the U.S. Commercial
Service and is dedicated to automo ve manufacturing capabili es and services. Affordable
packages (for $3,300) include a schedule of customized mee ngs for each U.S. exporter, a
shell scheme space for the arranged mee ngs as well as access to conferences. For more
details, see: h p://export.gov/industry/auto/b2bmexico056049.asp.
h p://www.automo vemee ngs.com/mexico/index.php/en/
AMERICANA 2015, March 17‐19, Montreal, Canada.
The Interna onal Environmental Technology Trade Show and Conference is one of the largest mul ‐sector environmental events in
Canada. It features over 10,000 par cipants and 350 exhibitors from all over the world to showcase the latest innova ons in
environmental services and equipment, as well as to discuss current environmental and economic issues. The U.S. Pavilion will include
a minimum of 10 U.S. suppliers of environmental technologies and services. Conference registra on fee is $1,400. For more detailed
informa on, see: h p://export.gov/canada/eventsforu.s.companies/americana/eg_ca_078912.asp
h p://www.americana.org/en
MCE Deepwater Development, March 24‐26, London, UK.
Marine, Construc on & Engineering (MCE) Deepwater Development is recognized as the leading conference addressing technical
issues related to engineering, development, and produc on of oil and gas in deep and ultra deepwater arenas around the world. This
conference addresses many technical issues and challenges confron ng the industry, and offers excellent networking opportuni es.
For more details, see:
h p://mcedd.com/wp‐content/uploads/MCEDD2015 Call for Abstracts 9 small.pdf
(Con nued on page 5).
Prairie View InternaƟonal Business Digest
Page 4
Volume 11| Issue 2
Global Trade & Business: Current News and Events
(Con nued from page 4).
Offshore Mediterranean Conference & Exhibi on, March 25‐27, Ravenna, Italy.
The OMC conference and exhibi on is an important mee ng place for oil & gas operators. With over 13,700 par cipants
from 32 countries worldwide, this event offers unique networking opportuni es. For space applica on, contract and terms
& condi ons, see: h p://www.kallman.com/upload/spaceapp/pdfs/OMC_2015_Space_Contract_RE.pdf
Export News from Tradeology (Interna onal Trade Administra on Blog)
Is Your Company Ready to Export?
Auto Exports to La n America
Take Advantage of U.S. Free Trade Agreements
Finding Help from the African Development Bank
The Na onal and Local Export Push
Look South for Energy Sector Opportuni es
SBDCs Raise the Bar on Expor ng
President’s Export Council Finds Opportuni es
Expor ng: Be er Than College Basketball?
Joining Foreign Commercial Service
Major Infrastructure Projects in Mexico
Catch the Rising Tide of U.S. Travel Jobs, Exports
Sources:
Export News, U.S. Export Assistance Center, Houston
Export News, U.S. Export Assistance Center, Aus n
Tradeology, Interna onal Trade Administra on Blog
Prairie View InternaƟonal Business Digest
Page 5
Volume 11| Issue 2
Next Issue Available: March 2015
If you would like to receive an electronic version of this newsle er, contact
Dr. Rahim Quazi at 936‐261‐9225 or rmquazi@pvamu.edu
Visit our website!
PVAMU College of Business | www.pvamu.edu/business or
CIBE |h p://www.pvamu.edu/business/alumni‐friends/center‐for‐
interna onal‐business‐educa on/
PVAMU College of Business
Vision and Mission Statements
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Our vision is to empower students from diverse backgrounds to become produc ve and ethical business professionals who
are among the best in the world.
Mission Statement
We provide a diverse student body with an educa on that creates highly produc ve professionals who are ethical,
entrepreneurial, and prepared to succeed in the global economy. The College achieves this through excellence in teaching,
research and service, and engagement with the business community and other stakeholders. The student experience is
dis nguished by personal a en on, teamwork, leadership training, and apprecia on of the social responsibility of
business.