BANGOR – During separate gatherings on May 29, businesses in Maine and the Maritimes hope to receive specifics on trade policies between the United States and Canada in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Three broad prospective policies have been discussed in the last eight months, said Richard Coyle, director of the Maine International Trade Center, but how one or all of these policies will be implemented is sketchy right now. He said that the U.S. government is trying to expedite cross-border trade by pre-qualifying and pre-screening shippers and their freight. Discussions since Sept. 11 have focused on three programs, and the one most likely to be put into place is the Customs Trade Protection Against Terrorism initiative, Coyle said. This plan, negotiated by the U.S. Customs Service and businesses, includes a pre-screening requirement.

Philip W. Spayd, director of field operations at the U.S. Customs Services in Boston, will present this plan and possibly outline specifics at one event on May 29 in Bangor. Spayd is the keynote speaker at a dinner during Maine International Trade Day. The other trade programs being considered are Operation Safe Commerce, which is being formulated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the New England Council of Governors and other groups; and Smart Border, which is being organized by the Canadian government and the U.S. Office of Homeland Security. Both programs also contain pre-screening components, but are works-in-progress when it comes to addressing other issues, Coyle said.

Each group working on trade issues is trying to come up with the best plan to speed up the flow of commerce between the U.S. and Canada, he said. They just have to figure out which plan best suits the parties’ main objective – free, safe trade at minimal additional costs.

Businesses, Coyle said, turn to MITC for help in meeting various requirements when policies are implemented. Many companies that do business across the border, for instance, are eager to find out from Spayd what they might have to do to meet pre-screening standards on their shipments.

Spayd and other participants of the trade day event in Bangor will attend another gathering focused on trade and employment issues earlier in the day in Saint John, New Brunswick. Edward Farren, with intergovernmental affairs in New Brunswick, said in a statement that strong trade, safe borders and regional cooperation among Atlantic Canada, Maine and the other New England states will help all of the economies grow.

The International Business Network Conference should give business professionals, education officials and government leaders “a deeper understanding of the important business issues affecting the opportunities for prosperity in our northeastern region,” Farren said.

The conference starts at 9 a.m. May 29 at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre. For information, call 506-632-6181.

Jonathan Daniels, director of economic development for the city of Bangor, and Elizabeth Beale, president and chief executive officer of Atlantic Provinces Economic Council in Halifax, will be the keynote speakers. Coyle said it’s unfortunate but coincidental that both cross-border trade programs were scheduled on the same day. He said MITC scheduled its event for May 29 so that Gov. Angus King could attend.

MITC’s trade day will start with a panel discussion on “trade in the new era of security.” The discussion will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. at Rangeley Hall at Eastern Maine Technical College. The event then moves to Norumbega Hall in downtown Bangor, with a social hour starting at 6 p.m. MITC’s annual dinner follows, with Gov. King presenting international investment and trade awards. Spayd’s talk will follow King’s remarks.

The cost is $40 for MITC members and $55 for nonmembers. Call 541-7455 or macri@mitc.com.