PNITA promotes a non-partisan view of international trade. PNITA's policies reflect the interests and consensus of our members that support global competitiveness under a fair and equitable trading system.

On Wednesday, February 16, 2005 PNITA Presented "Doing Business in Central Europe".  For the Poland PowerPoint presentation click here.  For the Czech Republic PowerPoint presentation click here.

A CONVERSATION WITH U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DAVID WU

Members of PNITA's Trade committee and Executive committee welcomed Congressman David Wu this week during a lunch discussion of the current issues facing the U.S. House of Representatives. There were also members of the Portland Business Alliance Board of Directors and staff involved in the conversation.

This lunch conversation provided PNITA members the opportunity to thank Representative Wu for his support of repealing FSC/ETI last year.

Representative Wu talked about his efforts to stem the rising costs of healthcare on smalll business by allowing them to pool together and inviting insurance companies to bid on the pool.

He also highlighted emerging niche economic clusters developing in our region and their potential for significant growth opportunities. He specifically mentioned; healthcare IT, education IT, sustainable industry and bio-mechanics.

Representative Wu re-iterated his support for transportation projects in the region including improvements to Hwy 26, Hwy 217 and the Newberg/Dundee bypass. He also commented on his support of the Columbia River Channel Deepening Project and asked for PNITA help in building relationships with citizens and business interests in the Lower Columbia River who may oppose the Channel deepening.

Representative Wu also spoke about and asked for input on his Economic Stimulus Plan which we plan to post on the PNITA website soon

Overall this provided a great opportunity for PNITA members to both hear firsthand the issues facing the U.S. House of Representatives this year, and also inform Representative Wu about the issues that affect the international competitiveness of businesses throughout the Northwest.


TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT: A LEGACY FOR USERS (TEA LU)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

* Reauthorizes the federal highway, public transportation, highway safety, and motor carrier safety programs for the next 6 years, from fiscal years 2004-2009.

* Provides a total of $283.9 billion in guaranteed funding - a 42 percent increase over the guaranteed funding for TEA 21 (1998-2003).

* The new increased funding level has been endorsed by the Administration. President Bush's updated reauthorization proposal, which was submitted with the fiscal year 2006 President's Budget, supports a 6-year reauthorization at $283.9 billion.

* Thanks to tax law changes made last October through the American Jobs Creation Act, TEA LU's guaranteed funding is $4.5 billion higher than the guaranteed funding level of $279.4 billion passed by the House of Representatives in April of 2004 during the 108th Congress.

* Increased transportation investment improves freight mobility, stimulates economic activity, increases productivity, ensures quality of life improvements for Americans everywhere, and creates or sustains an estimated 47,500 jobs per every $1 billion of investment.


AT HOME AND AROUND THE REGION

New Daily Nonstop Service Between Portland and JFK From Just $99* Each Way

-- Low-fare Carrier also Adds Second Daily Seattle Nonstop --

JetBlue Airways [NASDAQ: JBLU] will introduce new daily service to Portland, OR from New York's John F. Kennedy International airport starting May 17, 2005, and add a second daily nonstop between Seattle and JFK commencing June 17.

The low-fare airline will offer an introductory sale fare between JFK and Portland of $99* one way, and $119* one way between Portland and Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, NY, and Burlington, VT. The sale fares must be purchased by March 17 for travel from May 17 through June 16, 2005. Seats are limited and customers are encouraged to book early. The airline's regular one-way fares will range from $124* to $299* each way.

"JetBlue is the only airline offering nonstop service from Portland to New York's JFK. And, for the first time, travelers flying from Portland to New York can enjoy up to 36 channels of digital satellite TV," said David Neeleman, JetBlue's Chairman and CEO. "And with our second daily nonstop to Seattle, flying between New York and the Northwest just got cheaper, more convenient and more entertaining."

"With JetBlue's outstanding reputation for pricing, comfort and overall product, this is an exciting new development for our community," said Bill Wyatt, Port of Portland executive director. "Not only will this new nonstop service promote increased commerce between our community and the world's largest business center; it will further expand the number of visitors from the east coast to Oregon and Southwest Washington."

BIZ NOTES

Intel seeks extension of tax agreement with Washington County

Intel Corp. is looking to extend its tax-abatement agreement with Oregon state and county governments until 2025

Intel's largest single site is in Hillsboro, where the company has located its most advanced research and production fabrication facilities.

Intel employs 15,450 people in Oregon, primarily in the cities of Hillsboro and Aloha in Washington County. The company has invested approximately $11 billion in Oregon since it first came to the state in 1974.

Oregon must compete not only with other states where Intel has significant investments including Arizona and New Mexico but also other countries such as Ireland.

Intel would like to advance the discussion of forming a new agreement under the Strategic Investment Program. Intel's current agreement is not set to expire until well into the next decade but would like to insure a strong stage for future investments, up to $25 billion through 2025.