The GLOBAL TRADE eCOMMERCE PORTAL (GTEP)

There are a number of useful web sites now available to support economic development and provide trade promotion services to SMEs in the Russian Far East (RFE). These web sites span twelve industry sectors - from agriculture to transportation - as defined by the Ad Hoc Working Group. However, most of these sites are unknown to the RFE-SME community, and those that are known are under utilized.

The GTEP project empowers RFE-SMEs to identify and effectively utilize these web sites through a series of online and in-person eLearning courses. These eLearning courses will demonstrate the value of these web sites to RFE-SMEs when applied to any particular region and industry.

Tony presents MBITA's Global eCommerce vision to an undergraduate class on eCommerce at FENU

The GTEP project will also employ cost-effective and affordable online solutions for RFE-SMEs to automate their import and export transaction process. For example, MBITA is now providing eLearning courses on a web-based application called EximHub, which automates the export documentation procedures for American SMEs. A Russian version of EximHub would be created as part of the GTEP project.

The GTEP project will also incorporate a mechanism for a virtual incubator to support the RFE-SMEs in their economic and trade promotion efforts. This virtual incubator will accomplish the following:

• Facilitate match-making services with foreign partners
• Post investment opportunities to the foreign community
• Provide introductions to various trade associations and business organizations
• Coordinate services and introductions to regional government agencies and learning institutions

This virtual incubator will establish a foundation for eventual investment into a brick-and-mortar incubator in Vladivostok, Russia.

Russian Far East support for GTEP

Since the partnership has been established, FECED has obtained support in the Russian Far East for GTEP's future implementation from "Far East and Zabaykalye" Inter-Regional Economics Intergration Association. This organization is comprised of the governors and executives of Buryiatia Republic, Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Primorye and Khabarovsk Territories; Amurskaya, Kamchatskaya, Maganskaya, Sakhalinskaya, Chitinskaya Regions; Yevreiskaya Autonomous Oblast; Aginsky Buryat, Koryaksky, and Chukotsky Autonomos Regions.

The local and regional governments of Vladivostok and the Primorsky Krai region also approve the GTEP project. This support includes letters of support from the Regional Vice-Governor of the Primorsky Krai region, ASTRA Co., Ltd, the President of the Far Eastern National University, the Vladivostok City Administration, the President of the Joint Stock Company and the First Vice-President of the Association of Fishing Companies of Primory.

Tony meets with Dr. Vladimir Kurilov, President of FENU, to discuss e-learning coursework on Global eCommerce

Additionally, MBITA has met with the Consul General of the Russian Federation in San Francisco on two occasions garnering his full support and assistance in the development of the GTEP portal. Mr. Abramov has given a GTEP project presentation at VI Annual Working Group Initiative "RFE-WCUSA" held in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia(September 2001). The project was approved and recommended for financing.