Import Control System 2 - Release 3 - European Commission (europa.eu)

Postal, express carriers and some consignees  will file data  Do you have your EORI? 

A boomer shares how Lyft driving has been a retirement hack — supplementing his income while allowing him to draw on his Social Security without penalty (msn.com)

New labor rules aim to offer gig workers more security | AP News

EMTC offers diverse perspectives on issues to help our readers

2024 FinCEN BOI Requirements.pdf

This guide helps formulate questions for your finance/tax advisor .  

Kenya-US trade talks to resume in February - Business Daily (businessdailyafrica.com)

MSMEs are on the agenda  The US tabled text  improving MSME access to capital , credit, trade education and trade facilitation 

Arlington, VA--

EMTC submitted comments to the Federal Trade Commission in response to the agency's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Unfair or Deceptive Fees (88 Fed. Reg. 77420 published November 9, 2023).

While the FTC NPRM covers all industries, EMTC's comments concentrate on three (3) areas within the context of e-commerce: bait and switch tactics; misrepresenting the nature and purpose of fees; and transportation fees.  EMTC is particularly concerned about the FTC asserting jurisdiction over issues (e.g., transportation fees) that are regulated by other federal agencies.

FedEx braces for 50% cut in Postal Service air contract - FreightWaves

Postal services are moving to ground delivery thus impacting their air carrier partners.   

US Rep. Larry Bucshon of Indiana won't seek reelection to 8th term, will retire from Congress (msn.com)

This is in addition to the list in the EMTC Annual Report 

Biden admin to announce independent contractor rule that could upend gig economy (msn.com)

The linchpin is economic dependency 

Jack Ma's Alibaba was once China's answer to Silicon Valley giants – but its turnaround plan appears to be in trouble (msn.com)

2023 hasn’t been an easy environment for small and midsized businesses (SMBs).

Business bankruptcy rates jumped 30% between September 2022 and September 2023, as macro factors like record-high interest rates and the end of pandemic relief increasingly battered small businesses’ prospects.

That’s why it has never been more crucial for Main Street SMBs to identify and act upon new tactics to protect their bottom lines.

“We went through one of the most volatile macro environments … and I think many [SMBs] are now starting to think about going on the offensive,” Charles Zhu, VP of product at Enigma, told PYMNTS.

“Investing in eCommerce and omnichannel experiences are key in differentiating those that grow and those that lag behind,” Zhu said. “If you have an online channel, it’s another way of going on the offense as the economic environment stabilizes.”

Main Street SMBs relying on eCommerce or omnichannel sales displayed a higher level of optimism (57%) compared to those primarily relying on in-store purchases (38%), according to joint research by PYMNTS Intelligence and Enigma, suggesting that SMBs are recognizing the importance of digital channels in a stabilizing economic environment.

www.Pymnts.com ; December 29, 2023