JUNE 16 LUNCHEON BRIEFING ON CENTRAL AMERICA

Following up on the recent annual meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank held in New Orleans, the U.S. Export Assistance Center, Louisiana District Export Council, and the World Trade Center are holding an important luncheon briefing on Central America at the WTC on Friday, June 16. The two U.S. Commercial AttachŽs based in Central America, Dan Thompson in Guatemala and Richard Benson in Panama, will speak on the "Business Outlook for Central America: Issues and Opportunities." They will discuss a wide range of new trade and other business opportunities for Louisiana companies throughout Central America arising out of the reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Mitch, the transfer of the Panama Canal, the recent IDB meeting held in New Orleans, the recently enacted Caribbean Basin trade legislation, and other encouraging developments. For details, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or 254.

JUNE 20 BREAKFAST BRIEFING ON ASIAN OPPORTUNITIES

The Louisiana Department of Economic Development’s Asian representative, Steve Lee, will be the featured speaker at a breakfast briefing at the World Trade Center in New Orleans on Tuesday, June 20. The topic of his address is "Outlook on Asia: Opportunities for Louisiana Businesses." Mr. Lee will discuss the China Trade Bill in Congress, the aftermath of the recent Taiwan Presidential election, the ongoing Asian economic recovery, and what these and other events mean for Louisiana companies interested in the Asian market. To register for the June 20 breakfast briefing, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or 271, or click www.wtc-no.org/programs/index.html.

LETTER OF CREDIT WORKSHOP

Bank One, Rice Fowler, and the World Trade Center will hold a one-day "Understanding Letters of Credit" workshop on Friday, June 23 at the WTC in New Orleans. The seminar will be conducted by Ms. Nadia Khalil and Mr. Marco Reategui, Vice Presidents of Bank One Corporation in Chicago.

The workshop will provide a working knowledge of letters of credit (L/Cs), how they are used, and how to avoid problems using samples and case studies. The workshop will cover the following areas: risk factors for international trade; international payment mechanisms; letters of credit basics; standby L/Cs (international and domestic); and managing the letter of credit process. A continental breakfast, a light buffet lunch, and all seminar materials will be provided to the workshop participants.

To register for the June 23 workshop, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222, or go to www.wtc-no.org/programs/index.html.

MEXICO BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

Effective June 1, the Business Center of the World Trade Center of Mexico City is now operated by Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior (the Mexican Bank of Foreign Trade). Their services can be requested from the U.S. by calling at no charge (800) 8335-7480.

SUMMER FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES AT THE WTC

The World Trade Center will commence its summer session of foreign language classes the week of June 5. The classes are conducted by the faculty of Alpha Tech Communications. The session will last seven weeks, and classes will meet once a week for 1-1/2 hours. The following languages will be offered: Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic and English as a Second Language. Tuition is $95 for WTC members and $190 for non-members. (Registration and materials cost $45.) Classes are held at the WTC building, and free parking is available at the WTC garage. For further information or to register for classes, please call Alpha Tech at 454-6554.

CALENDAR OF LOUISIANA EVENTS

June 9 -The French American Chamber of Commerce (FACC) and the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Nantes (CIVN) will celebrate the Second Annual Muscadet Wine Festival in New Orleans June 9-23. This year’s theme is "Le Mariage du Muscadet." For tickets and additional information, call ValŽrie Guillet at the FACC at (504) 561-0070.

June 9 -The Foreign Relations Association (FRA) will host its Annual Membership Meeting with dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel in New Orleans with Professor Anthony Pereira of Tulane University discussing "New Democracies: Emerging or Submerging?" Call (504) 523-2201.

June 16 -Luncheon briefing at the World Trade Center in New Orleans on "The Business Outlook for Central America: Issues and Opportunities" featuring Dan Thompson, Commercial AttachŽ at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala, and Richard Benson, Commercial AttachŽ in Panama. Call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222.

June 19 -"Import/Export Strategies and Market Research" seminar from 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the WTC in New Orleans. Call the Louisiana International Trade Center at (504) 568-8222.

June 20 -Breakfast briefing at the World Trade Center on "The Outlook for Asia: Opportunities for Louisiana Businesses" featuring Steve Lee, Director of the State of Louisiana Office, Taipei, Taiwan, 8:00 a.m. Call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222.

June 21 -"Pricing, Terms, Quotations and Customs Entry Procedures" seminar at the WTC from 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Call the Louisiana International Trade Center at (504) 568-8222.

June 23 -An all-day "Letters of Credit Workshop" at the WTC will be conducted by two Bank One specialists from Chicago, Nadia Kahlil and Marco Reategui, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222.

June 28 -"International Banking, Financing, Transportation, and Documentation" seminar from 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the WTC. Call the Louisiana Intl. Trade Center at (504) 568-8222.

June 29 -"Global Trade on the Internet" seminar from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the WTC in New Orleans. Call the Louisiana International Trade Center at (504) 568-8222.

July 13 -Justice Revius Ortigue, Chairman of the New Orleans Aviation Board, will speak on his recent service as a Special U.S.Ambassador to the United Nations at a luncheon at the WTC sponsored by the United Nations Association of Greater New Orleans. Call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222.

MUSCADET WINE FESTIVAL IN NEW ORLEANS JUNE 9-23

The French-American Chamber of Commerce (FACC) and the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Nantes (CIVN) will celebrate the Second Annual Muscadet Wine Festival in New Orleans June 9-23. This year’s theme is "Le Mariage du Muscadet." For two weeks 20 area restaurants will promote the wine, offering a meal and Muscadet special to their clientele. The public may sample these specials at a food and wine tasting on June 23, 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at the Maison St. Charles Hotel. Guests will vote for their favorite Muscadet and meal combinations, celebrating their "marriage" in traditional French fashion. Tickets are $35 per person and may be purchased through the FACC. For tickets and additional information, call ValŽrie Guillet at the FACC at (504) 561-0070.

INTERNATIONAL LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING INSTITUTE

The Public Law Center (TPLC) of Tulane and Loyola Law Schools will conduct its sixth annual International Legislative Drafting Institute June 12-23, 2000 in New Orleans. Approximately 60 participants from more than 20 countries will attend the training event.

The Institute trains legislative drafters, members of legislative bodies, and representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) in techniques of researching and drafting proposed statutes and regulations. International faculty lectures on such topics as Plain Language Drafting, Multilingual Drafting, Commercial Law Drafting, the Ethics and Politics of Drafting, and Drafting for Compliance with WTO, NAFTA, and other International Trade Agreements.

More than 300 graduates from 70 countries have attended the Institute since its inception in 1995. The World Trade Center hosts a Welcoming Reception for the participants each year to meet members of the Consular Corps and local attorneys with international interests.

PLACEMENTS NEEDED FOR TULANE INTERNS

Tulane's Office of Service Learning needs to place student interns who are available to work approximately 25 hours throughout the months of September through December. The 25 hours of service is a component to the students' undergraduate level Political Science/Environmental Policy and Spanish/Social Problems in Latin America classes. If you are interested in working with students on an appropriate project, contact Amanda Buberger, Service Program Coordinator at Tulane's Office of Service Learning by telephone at (504) 862-8058 or by e-mail at abuberg@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS TRADE MISSION TO AFRICA

Louisiana companies are invited to tap into three exciting African markets that offer dynamic opportunities for U.S. businesses. Join the Assistant Secretary and Director General of the U.S. Commercial Service, Marjory E. Searing, on the "Women in Business Development Trade Mission to Cairo, Nairobi, and Johannesburg on October 1-7.

You can participate in the mission and be part of the "Global Summit of Women 2000: Africa" in Johannesburg, South Africa on October 5-7. The Summit will bring together business, professional, and entrepreneurial leaders to explore solution-oriented approaches to increasing women's participation in the global marketplace. As a member of this official U.S. trade delegation, you will receive:

Prescreened business appointments tailored to your requirements and market strategies in each country

• In-depth market briefings
• Full logistical support, including hospitality vents, reduced hotel rates, and in-country transportation
• In-country market promotion
• Participation in the "Global Summit of Women: Africa"
• Online promotion of your company on the U.S. Department of Commerce virtual trade show website

Registration is $1,800 (does not include travel and lodging) and the event is not limited solely to women-owned/managed businesses. Call the U.S. Export Assistance Center in New Orleans at (504) 589-6546.

PRESIDENT SIGNS AFRICA/CBI TRADE BILL

President Clinton signed the Trade and Development Act of 2000 (HR 434) into law on May 18, bringing to an end a five-year-long debate over how to enhance trade benefits for sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean Basin.

The bill was originally composed of two separate pieces of legislation (The African Growth and Opportunity Act and The Caribbean and Central America Relief and Stabilization Act) until the Senate tied them together before passing its initial version of the bill in November of 1999. The Senate included the Caribbean initiative in the legislation to correct an unintended consequence of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which diverted a large amount of U.S. investment from the Caribbean to Mexico. The House, however, passed only the African bill because of objections by lawmakers from textile states.

These differences, which centered mostly on the textile provisions, required months of negotiations before the bill was passed in its final form and the Caribbean was granted many of the same privileges as sub-Saharan Africa. In return, the Senate agreed to drop its insistence that duty-free imports from Africa be made with thread, fabric, or yarn from the United States.

As a result of the new law, the U.S. will remove tariffs and quotas on certain goods for eligible countries in both regions. It will allow apparel from Africa and the Caribbean Basin made with U.S. fabrics or yarns into the U.S. free of duties and quotas. But the amount of apparel made from African components that could be imported duty-free would be capped at 1.5% of total U.S. apparel and would increase to about 3.5% during the eight-year life of the bill. Apparel from African nations made from fabrics manufactured outside the U.S. or sub-Saharan Africa would be free of duties for four years provided the nation’s per-capita income does not exceed $1,500 annually. The new law also allows the import of many sweaters from the region without tariffs or quotas

The law will also extend the General System of Preferences (GSP), which removes most trade barriers for low-income countries, through 2008. With some stipulations, quotas will also be removed from products from Kenya and Mauritius, which do not qualify for the GSP. Countries that are eligible for the GSP will be required to implement an international convention banning the worst forms of child labor. The final version also includes provisions to protect U.S. industries hurt by increased imports and measures to ensure against transshipment.

250 million square meters of knit apparel from the Caribbean will be allowed to enter the United States duty-free during the first year, with this cap increasing by 16 percent a year for three years. T-shirts will be allowed into the U.S. duty-free up to 4.2 million dozen in the first year, and that cap would also grow by 16 percent a year for three years. Brassieres will be imported duty-free only if the manufacturer purchased 75 percent of its cloth from the United States.

Most of the new Act’s provisions will not take effect for several months, however, while trade officials determine which countries and products are eligible for the new privileges.

HOUSE APPROVES TRADE STATUS FOR CHINA

The U.S. House of Representatives voted on May 25 to grant Permanent Normal Trade Relations to China (PNTR) by a vote of 237 to 197, following one of the most intense lobbying battles on Capitol Hill in years. The measure now heads to the Senate where it is expected to gain the votes necessary for passage. This bill would end the annual Congressional review of China’s trade status with the U.S. upon China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). China has agreed to significant market opening concessions in almost every sector of its economy in its quest to join the WTO.

China and the European Union (EU) completed bilateral negotiations on China’s accession to the WTO on May 19. In its bid to join the organization, China must complete negotiations with each of its key trading partners and offer the best terms pledged in any of these negotiations to all WTO members.

$4.6 BILLION IN FOREIGN INVESTMENTS FOR LOUISIANA

Foreign companies announced plans to invest more than $4.6 billion in Louisiana during the 1993-1999 period, according to the records of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development’s International Marketing Division. The 125 announced projects are projected to create 2,938 new permanent jobs when completed.

Germany led all nations with 47 projects worth $1.4 billion, followed by Taiwan with $760 million and 9 projects. The Netherlands ranked third with $671 million and 12 projects. Venezuela with $598 million and Belgium with $330 million rounded out the top five investing countries. European investment totaled $3.02 billion, followed by $1.3 billion from the Pacific Rim, and $598 million from the Caribbean.

Other national investments included: Japan $269 million; United Kingdom $247 million; France $115 million; Norway $100 million; Italy $93 million; Switzerland $57 million; Finland $11 million; Australia $5 million, and Ireland $630,000.

WTC NEW ORLEANS RECEIVES QUALITY CERTIFICATIONS

The World Trade Center of New Orleans received a Certification Award at the recent Spring Meeting of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) held in Trieste, Italy. The global meeting attracted over 500 participants from 91 WTCs in 52 countries.

The award is given to World Trade Centers which have completed and passed the certification process conducted by the WTCA, the non-profit organization that links the 332 World Trade Centers in 96 countries and sets the uniform procedures and standards for their operations. The certification process ensures that WTCs maintain high-quality standards in their facilities, programs, and services on a uniform global basis. WTC New Orleans is one of only 10 trade centers in the U.S. to have received such certification.

WTC New Orleans, which was the first World Trade Center dating back to 1943, received certification in five key service areas: WTC Club, Tenant Services, Trade Education, Group Trade Missions, and Trade Information Services.