Early-bird rates are available for the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference, where members have the opportunity to explore the market in the UAE and meet with buyers from throughout the region.

SEMA members looking to explore business opportunities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can meet with pre-vetted buyers from throughout the Middle East during the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference, March 11–14, 2014. Members who register before the end of the year (prior to January 1, 2014), will benefit from early-bird rates. After January 1, 2014, registration fees increase.



Motorsports and vehicle personalization have a strong and growing base throughout the region, and a quick drive around Dubai or Abu Dhabi would surprise any gearhead with the wide variety of customized vehicles traveling the roads. Off-roading is also popular throughout the region with SUVs and pickup owners heading into the desert.

Cost to participate is $3,000 with the U.S. Department of Commerce providing a $1,000 grant to defray costs for qualified companies. 

The trip will feature a tour of local shops, briefings by United States embassy officials, networking receptions, a day-long expo at the Middle East Motor Tuning Show (MEMTS) and an opportunity to meet with buyers from throughout the region. Last year’s event included buyers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt.



Register today! For more information, visit www.SEMA.org/MiddleEast. 


Questions? Contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

	Early-bird rates are available for the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference, where members have the opportunity to explore the market in the UAE and meet with buyers from throughout the region.

SEMA members looking to explore business opportunities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can meet with pre-vetted buyers from throughout the Middle East during the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference, March 11–14, 2014. Members who register before the end of the year (prior to January 1, 2014), will benefit from early-bird rates. After January 1, 2014, registration fees increase.



Motorsports and vehicle personalization have a strong and growing base throughout the region, and a quick drive around Dubai or Abu Dhabi would surprise any gearhead with the wide variety of customized vehicles traveling the roads. Off-roading is also popular throughout the region with SUVs and pickup owners heading into the desert.

Cost to participate is $3,000 with the U.S. Department of Commerce providing a $1,000 grant to defray costs for qualified companies. 

The trip will feature a tour of local shops, briefings by United States embassy officials, networking receptions, a day-long expo at the Middle East Motor Tuning Show (MEMTS) and an opportunity to meet with buyers from throughout the region. Last year’s event included buyers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt.



Register today! For more information, visit www.SEMA.org/MiddleEast. 


Questions? Contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has set the standard business-mileage deduction for 2014 at $0.56 per mile. The rate is one-half cent lower than in 2013. The mileage calculation includes the cost of fuel along with other vehicle fixed and variable operating expenses, such as depreciation, insurance, tires, etc. Companies and individuals who use their automobiles (including vans, pickups and panel trucks) for business have the option of using the standard rate in lieu of keeping records of their actual expenses. 

For details, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has set the standard business-mileage deduction for 2014 at $0.56 per mile. The rate is one-half cent lower than in 2013. The mileage calculation includes the cost of fuel along with other vehicle fixed and variable operating expenses, such as depreciation, insurance, tires, etc. Companies and individuals who use their automobiles (including vans, pickups and panel trucks) for business have the option of using the standard rate in lieu of keeping records of their actual expenses. 

For details, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A federal judge has approved a $5.7 billion settlement between Visa/MasterCard and U.S. merchants over fees charged each time a customer swipes a credit or debit card. The ruling follows years of litigation over allegations that the fees were improperly fixed. The retailers argued that they have limited power to negotiate the “swipe fee” amounts that may range from 2% to 5% of the purchase price. The financial firms counter that they are providing a service that benefits the merchants. If it is not appealed, it would represent the largest private antitrust settlement in history. 

Two years ago, Congress directed the Federal Reserve to place caps on debit card swipe fees (but not credit cards). The fees are currently set at 21 cents per transaction plus 1–3 cents more to cover fraud prevention and other adjustments. A court has rejected that amount as too high but is awaiting a new recommendation from the Federal Reserve. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.