SEPTEMBER 7 FORUM ON CUBA TRADE EMBARGO

The World Trade Center is holding a special luncheon forum on "Should the U.S. Lift Its Trade Embargo with Cuba?" on Thursday, September 7 at the WTC’s Plimsoll Club in New Orleans. The speakers are: Amb. Dennis Hays, Executive Vice President of the Cuban-American National Foundation in Washington, D.C.; John S. Kavulich, II, President of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council in New York; George J. Fowler, III, New Orleans Attorney and a Director of the Cuban-American National Foundation; and Dr. Eloise L. Linger of Tulane University’s Stone Center for Latin American Studies.

The Cuban American National Foundation (CANF) (www.canfnet.org) is the largest Cuban American organization in the U.S. and the largest Cuban exile organization worldwide. Dennis Hays, CANF Executive Vice President, retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in June after serving for three years as American Ambassador to Suriname. His previous assignments included service as the State Department’s Director of the Office of Mexican Affairs and Coordinator for Cuban Affairs. John S. Kavulich is the President of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, Inc. (www.cubatrade.org), a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization which was established to provide the U.S. business community access to accurate, consistent information and analysis on issues regarding U.S.-Cuba commercial, economic, and political relations.

George J. Fowler, III, is a New Orleans attorney specializing in international, maritime, and commercial law, and a founder of the Rice Fowler firm. He also serves as General Counsel and a Director on the Board of the Cuban American National Foundation. Dr. Eloise L. Linger is a professor at Tulane University’s Stone Center for Latin American Studies. Her new book Cuban Transitions at the Millenium is an anthology of 23 research articles on various aspects of Cuban life.

To register for the September 7 forum, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222, or Click here.

MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

The Consulate General of Mexico and the Mexican Cultural Center of the South invite you to celebrate Mexico’s Independence at a "Noche Mexicana" on Friday, September 15, at 8:00 p.m. at the Hotel Inter-Continental in New Orleans.

Sponsored by the Government of the State of Campeche and the Mexican Government Tourism Office, the evening will feature performances by the State of Campeche Folkloric Ballet, Mariachi Internacional, and the Alebrije Ensemble. A Mexican Buffet will be provided by chefs Willy Coln and Gustavo Romero. The Hon. Alejandro de la Canal Knapp, Consul General of Mexico, will conduct the traditional ceremony of "El Grito." For more information regarding the "Noche Mexicana," call (504) 525-1105.

Additionally, on Thursday, September 14, there will be a free preview performance by the Folkloric Ballet of Campeche at 7:00 p.m. in the Nunemaker Auditorium of Loyola University.

SEPT. 16 CENTRAL AMERICA INDEPENDENCE DAY EVENT

The Consulates of Central America, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras. Nicaragua, and Costa Rica are commemorating their 179th anniversary of independence on Saturday, September 16, with a celebration at Harrah’s New Orleans Mansion Ballroom from 8:00 to midnight. "La Banda Blanca of Honduras" will perform live music and there will be a cash bar. For more information call (504) 522-3118 or 1-800-VIP-JAZZ.

HUTCHINSON NAMED HEAD OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Don J. Hutchinson was appointed Secretary of Economic Development on August 15 by Governor M. J. "Mike" Foster, replacing Kevin Reilly, who announced his resignation in July after serving for over eight years as Secretary. Mr. Hutchinson had previously served as Undersecretary in the Department under Governors Buddy Roemer and Edwin Edwards.

A veteran of state government for more than two decades, Secretary Hutchinson has also served as State Director for Senator Mary Landrieu. He returned to the Foster administration in December 1999 as Deputy Commissioner of Administration, with a focus on coordinating Louisiana’s technology efforts.

In his new position in the Department of Economic Development, Secretary Hutchinson will continue to enhance the state’s existing industrial base. His plans also include diversifying the economy by leading the state’s efforts to attract more technology companies to Louisiana. He has been elected to serve as chairman of the Louisiana Technology Innovation Council and Chair of the Louisiana Data Base Commission.

Hutchinson is active in numerous community activities. He is a founding member of 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge (where he serves as treasurer), a director on the Board of the Louisiana Capital Credit Union, and Secretary of the Greater Baton Rouge Leadership Alumni Board, as well as a member of the Baton Rouge Quality of Life Leadership Committee.

CALENDAR OF LOUISIANA EVENTS

Aug. 24- -Japan-Louisiana Festival - Various events. Call the Consulate General at (504) 529-2101.

Sept. 5 - -World Trade Center Foreign Language Classes - Offering Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and ESL. Call Alpha Tech at (504) 454-6554

Sept. 7 -A luncheon forum sponsored by the World Trade Center of New Orleans on "Should the U.S. Lift its Trade Embargo with Cuba?" For registration call (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or 254.

Sept. 12 -"Global Trade on the Internet" seminar from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the World Trade Center of New Orleans. Call the Louisiana International Trade Center at (504) 568-8222 for information.

Sept. 14 -Folkloric Ballet of Campeche, Mexico performance (no charge) at the Nunemaker Auditorium at Loyola University in New Orleans. Call the Mexican Cultural Center of the South at (504) 525-1105.

Sept. 15 -"Noche Mexicana", the Mexican Independence Celebration, at 8:00 p.m. at the Hotel Inter-Continental in New Orleans. Call (504) 525-1105.

Sept. 15 -Independence Day of Central America Dinner organized by the American Nicaraguan Chamber of Commerce, New Orleans from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Salvatore Restaurant in Metairie. Call Ronnie Berg at (504) 626-5644.

Sept. 16 -Central America Independence Day Celebration starting at 8:00 p.m. at Harrah’s New Orleans Mansion Ballroom. Call (504) 522-3118 or 1-800-VIP-JAZZ.

Sept. 27 -Luncheon Seminar on Duty Drawback for Exporters, at the World Trade Center in New Orleans, Glenn Seale, Chief, Drawback Branch, U.S. Customs Service. Call (504) 529-1601.

JAPAN-LOUISIANA FESTIVAL

The Japan-Louisiana Festival, a fall celebration of Japanese culture in New Orleans sponsored by the Consulate General of Japan, the Japan Foundation, and other organizations, commenced August 24 and continues through October 22. Activities include a multi-artist exhibit of Sharaku inspired works at the Contemporary Arts Center through September 24, a Japanese Cultural Fair at the New Orleans Museum of Art on October 1, and a performance of Okinawan classical dance and music at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center on October 10.

The Festival also highlights a Suzuki violin concert at Lakeside Shopping Center on September 9 and 16 and an International Film Festival featuring films from Japan, France, and Mexico held at Lupin Hall at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) from September 29 to October 1.

For additional information on the Festival, call the Consulate General of Japan at (504) 529-2101. For ticket information for the Film Festival, call (504) 940-2900 or visit the NOCCA website at www.nocca.com for more information about individual film titles.

WORLD APPAREL TARIFFS AND TAXES GUIDE

The "World Apparel Tariffs and Taxes at a Glance" Guide is available free to U.S. apparel manufacturers or exporters. The guide is published by the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Textiles and Apparel as a quick reference to the main types of import charges imposed on U.S. apparel exports. Call the Export Assistance Center in New Orleans at (504) 589-6546.

NAFTA CERTIFICATE OF ORGIN CAN BE COMPLETED ONLINE

The NAFTA Certificate of Origin can now be filled out on-line via the U.S. Commerce Trade Information Center’s (TIC) web site http://www.trade.gov/td/tic/.  Call the U.S. Export Assistance Center in New Orleans at (504) 589-6546 for more information.

INDUSTRY MARKET INSIGHT REPORTS

Listed below are excerpts from various U.S. Commercial Service Industry Market Insight Reports. For the entire report(s), call the U.S. Export Assistance Center in New Orleans at (504) 589-6546.

Indonesia - Building New Chemical Plant. Two new chemical plants for pulp and paper offer prospects for U.S. exports of chemical plant equipment and factory construction contracting services. The report contains contact information for this project.

United Kingdom - Opportunities for Oil and Gas Manufacturers. The U.K. Government established the Industry Technology Facilitator to enhance opportunities for operators, suppliers and contractors to find cost-effective solutions to extend the economic life of the U.K. continental shelf. Technology priorities in demand are facilities, subsurface, and wells. The report contains a detailed list of needed technologies and contact information.

Pakistan - Oil and Gas Conference, October 8-10. The Petroleum Institute of Pakistan and the London-based First Conferences International and Mediators Ltd. are organizing this Pakistani government-approved summit to provide information on opportunities in Pakistan’s oil and gas sector.

Saudi Arabia - Oil and Gas Projects Update. Saudi Aramco, the largest oil producer in the world, is reinstating oil projects that had been on hold. The U.S. is the largest country supplier of goods and services to the Saudi oil and gas industry. The 10-page report includes info on Market Highlights and Best Prospects; Competitive Analysis; End-User Analysis; Key Contacts; and Trade Events in Bahrain.

INTERAMERICAN BUSINESS CONFERENCE IN YUCATAN

The State of Yucatan, Mexico Trade and Investment Bureau will host the first Interamerican Business Conference in Merida from October 22-25 at the 21st Century Convention Center. The conference’s theme is "Americas Without Borders-Business Challenge/ Opportunity" and is targeted towards owners and managers of small and medium-sized businesses, representatives of Chambers of Commerce, government officials, and trade and economic development officials. The conference is designed to help small and medium-sized companies increase their profitability and extend markets through matchmaking appointments, seminars, trade exhibits, and networking opportunities.

Yucatan is a most appropriate site for the conference. The Mexican state is a major success story of NAFTA and Mexico’s other free trade agreement with the European Union. It has 150 maquiladoras, a significant increase from 10 in 1990. Yucatan’s deep-water Port of Progresso, one of Mexico’s most modern and important ports, is only 32 hours by sea from the U.S. Yucatan has two international airports in Merida and Chichen Itza. Recreational activities in Yucatan include beaches, archeological sites, ecological sites, and shopping.

For additional information or to register for the conference, call the State of Yucatan, Mexico Trade and Investment Bureau’s Miami office by phone at (305) 567-1909 or by e-mail at stateofyucatan@ yucatan.gob.mx.

AFRICA ART EXHIBIT

The Louisiana Peace Corps Association (LaPCA) and the New Orleans African-American Museum of Art, Culture and History (NOAAM) are co-hosting an African art exhibit featuring objects and artifacts collected by Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. The "Memories of Africa" exhibit begins September 22, with a gala opening, and runs through February 28, 2001. More than 200 objects will be on display, including musical instruments, furniture, kitchen utensils, tools, charms, jewelry, and cloth. The exhibit will also feature homemade video footage, slide shows, photos, and popular African music to complement the more "traditional" art presented. For more information regarding the opening gala and exhibit, call Albert Cooper, Curator of NOAAM at (504) 565-7497. You can also visit the LaPCA website at www.lapca.org and follow the links to exhibit information, or the NOAAM website at www.treme.com.

FRENCH CHAMBER LUNCHEON FEATURES FRENCH ASTRONAUT

The French American Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon featuring French astronaut Jean-Francois Clervoy, who will speak on the mission of the Hubble Telescope in December 1999. The luncheon program, including a video and slide presentation, will be held at the Le Meridien Hotel New Orleans on Tuesday, September 26 at 12:00 noon.

Jean-Francois Clervoy served as a mission specialist on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) repair mission, December 19-27, 1999. This eight-day mission allowed the crew to successfully install new instruments and upgrade systems on the HST. Mr. Clervoy was the flight engineer for ascent and entry. He used the robot arm to capture and deploy the telescope, and to maneuver the suited astronauts during three eight-hour-long spacewalks required to repair and to upgrade the telescope. The mission was accomplished in 120 earth orbits, traveling 3.2 million miles in 191 hours and 11 minutes.

After nine years with the French Space Agency, Jean-Francois Clervoy reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1992. Following one year of training, he qualified as a mission specialist for Space Shuttle flights. A veteran of three space flights, he has logged over 674 hours in space.

The luncheon program is $25 for the members of the French American Chamber of Commerce, and $30 for non-members. For reservation and additional information, call the Chamber at (504) 561-0070.

FRA ELECTS NEW OFFICERS

The Foreign Relations Association (FRA) of New Orleans, the local affiliate of the World Affairs Councils of America, has elected officers for the 2000-1 program year. They are Dorothy Duval Nelson, President; Sue Hunter, First Vice President; Leslie Perrin, Second Vice President; Nancy Turner, Secretary; and Peggy Armstrong, Treasurer. The following members were also elected to board positions: Edmund DeJarnette, Dr. David Clinton, Billy Henry, Kenneth M. Scott Jr. and Jeanette Solomon.

SEPT. 12 GLOBAL TRADE ON THE INTERNET SEMINAR

The Louisiana International Trade Center-SBDC (LITC) will hold a "Global Trade on the Internet Seminar" on Tuesday, September 12 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the World Trade Center inNew Orleans.

Topics of discussion include "How to Access Foreign Contacts, International Trade Leads and Market Research Tools" by Ruperto Chavarri, Director of the LITC. Natalie Rideau, Membership Director of the World Trade Center, will speak on "Free Access to Trade Opportunities, WTCA Online, and the Louisiana World Trade Web."

Jose Rivera, Technical Training Specialist at the Electronic Commerce Resource Center (ECRC), will speak about "The Marketing of Business Web Sites," nationally and internationally. He will also touch on new and interesting ways of discovering "Global Opportunities Through the Internet."

Tommy Milazzo, E-Business specialist from Bellsouth Business Systems, will discuss the differences and similarities of High-Speed Internet Connections. He will also cover Interactive Marketing Tools for web-site users, digital signatures for contracts, attachments replacing fax, phone and document carrier services. Attorney Steven Sabludowsky, founder of the Internet Collation, will speak on "The Legal Considerations for Domestic and Global Trade Using the Web." Please call the LITC at (504) 568-8222 for more information.

WTC BUSINESS AWARD FOR STOCKHAUSEN INVESTMENT

The World Trade Center of New Orleans has presented its annual award for Outstanding Achievement in International Business to Degussa-Hüls AG of Germany. The WTC award is presented to a foreign corporation that has made a major investment in Louisiana, which has resulted in the creation of new jobs and/or an actual or potential increase in international trade.

The award recognizes Degussa-HÜls’ leadership role in connection with Stockhausen Louisiana Limited in Garyville, which is an affiliated company of the Stockhausen group in Germany (www.stockhausen.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Degussa-HÜls AG. The Louisiana plant produces absorbent polymers, which are used in a wide variety of consumer, industrial, and agricultural products. The plant was built in 1987 and was operated by Nalco Chemical until 1996, when HÜls AG acquired it.

Stockhausen was a key originator of the plant’s polymer technology. Stockhausen has spent over $30 million in upgrading the Garyville facility through the installation of new equipment and state-of-the-art safety systems. The plant has a workforce of 94 employees.

GERMAN FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM SEEKING CANDIDATES

Each year, the Robert Bosch Foundation in Stuttgart, Germany gives 20 outstanding young American professionals the chance to work in full-time internships in Germany. During the nine-month program, Bosch Foundation Fellows work in Germany in branches of the federal government, the federal parliament, headquarters of private corporations, and in other high-level internships relating to their interests and professional experience.

The internships are supplemented by a variety of seminars in Berlin, Paris, Brussels, and Poland with top-level elected officials as well as leading representatives from industry and academia. Candidates for the Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program are competitively chosen from the fields of business administration, economics, journalism and mass communication, law, political science, and public affairs. If needed, German language training will be provided.

Applications must be received no later than October 15, 2000 for the program beginning in September 2001. For further information, please contact CDS International, Ms. Elfriede Andros, 871 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017, tel. (212) 497-3518, or e-mail eandros@cdsintl.org. The web address is www.csdintl.org.

Call the U.S. Export Assistance Center in New Orleans at (504) 589-6546 for information on the following new export initiatives: (1) The U.S. Department of Commerce in Taiwan will translate your product information into Chinese, post the material on their web site, promote the site to Taiwan importers, and inform you of any interest from potential customers; and (2) "Import Horizon", a free online service to introduce new-to-market American products, is being offered by the U.S. Department of Commerce in Japan. Companies new to the Japanese market are invited to submit an application to be translated into Japanese and featured on the Japanese web site.

CONSULAR CORPS NEWS

The office of the Honorary Consulate of Guatemala has relocated to the World Trade Center, Suite 2310, New Orleans, LA 70130. The telephone number of Honorary Consul Lourdes Letona de Jerez remains the same, (504) 558-3777. Also, the Government of Peru has announced the appointment of its new Honorary Consul in New Orleans, Ms. Maria O’Byrne Stephenson of the law firm of Stephenson, Matthews, and Chavarri. The Honorary Consulate of Peru is located at the World Trade Center, Suite 2308, New Orleans, LA 70130. The telephone number is (504) 523-6496 and the fax number is (504) 525-2846. For a complete list of all 52 consulates in New Orleans, visit the WTC website at www.wtc-no.org/tradinfo/.

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES TO MEET IN ATLANTA

The International Network for Economic Developers is hosting the Third Annual International Summit of Development Agencies in Atlanta on September 13-14. The summit aims to build connections between economic development professionals in order to capitalize on growing business-to-business commerce.

The conference also intends to instruct professionals how to maximize their use of the Internet to develop small business potential, and identify ways to access and increase financing for small business export development. Experts will address critical issues in economic development in the new age of globalization.

For registration information call Kristy Leason at (202) 223-7822. (Visit http://cued.org to register online.)

CHANGE IN FSC TAX PROVISIONS APPROVED BY HOUSE COMMITTEE

In an attempt to comply with a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling, the House Ways and Means Committee has approved a bill that would exempt most income earned abroad from federal taxation and repeal current provisions that create a tax shelter for a portion of income generated outside territorial limits of the U.S. by Foreign Sales Corporations (FSCs).

The WTO ruled in late-1999 that special tax treatment FSCs constitutes a prohibited subsidy under WTO rules. The United States appealed the decision, which was upheld by the WTO’s Appellate Body in February, 2000. The U.S. was given until October 1, 2000 to comply with the ruling or else the European Union (EU), which filed the complaint with the WTO, would be entitled to retaliate by imposing higher tariffs on U.S. goods in an amount commensurate with the perceived trade benefit that the FSC provisions provide to U.S. corporations.

By applying the new provisions to a broader range of businesses and individuals, the House Committee measure seeks to overcome the EU’s argument that the FSC tax provisions amount to an unfair subsidy by giving a tax break only to exporters. The bill will probably be debated by the full House in September. If the EU finds that the measure is not a significant improvement, the WTO will once again be called upon to rule on it. Regardless of the EU’s decision, however, the imposition of sanctions will be delayed. Both sides have opportunities to object and appeal at every stage in such disputes under the WTO system.

SENATE PASSES COAST GUARD FUNDING BILL

The U.S. Senate passed a two-year authorization that increases funding for the Coast Guard on July 28 amid reports that routine patrols and other services had been cut back due to budget shortfalls. The Senate bill would provide $4.1 billion for the Coast Guard in fiscal 2000 and $4.7 billion in fiscal 2001, while a House version passed in March of 1999 would provide $4.6 billion in fiscal 2000 and $4.8 billion for fiscal 2001.

House aides say that the difference between the House and Senate versions of the bill are small and that the bill should come out of a conference committee sometime in September. In addition to the funding increases, the Senate bill will also bring the Coast Guard into parity with its Defense Department counterparts in pay and housing, permit special leave for Coast Guard members in isolated duty locations, and provide support for ice-breaking missions in the Great Lakes.

STATUS OF PNTR FOR CHINA

The bill that would grant Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) to China is set to be debated by the Senate when it reconvenes in September (it passed the full House in May by a vote of 237 to 197). However, separate legislation that would require the President to impose sanctions on the Chinese government or Chinese companies that are found to be supplying weapons of mass destruction to other nations could complicate its passage. Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN) wanted to offer his proposal, the China Nonproliferation Act (CNPA), as an amendment to the 2001 intelligence authorization bill (S 2507), but was thwarted by Senate Democrats. Sen. Thompson is now considering offering his proposal as an amendment to the China Trade Bill (HR 4444) in September.

Leaders of both parties want to avoid attaching Sen. Thompson’s proposal to the China Trade legislation because any amendment to the bill would force another vote in the House, where, despite its passage in May, the bill’s fate would be less secure as the November elections approach. Sen.Thompson and co-sponsor Robert Toricelli (D-NJ) have modified their legislation to include all key suppliers of weapons instead of just China and make the sanctions discretionary rather than mandatory. Critics of the bill, however, contend that the proposal is being rushed and requires more discussion.

LATIN AMERICA POWER AND ENERGY CONFERENCE

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is sponsoring a "Power and Energy in the Americas" conference in Houston, Texas on October 23-25. The conference will provide participants with details on large-scale projects planned in the areas of oil and gas; refining and distribution; and electrical power generation, transmission, and distribution in one of the world’s fastest-growing energy markets. Senior officials from the U.S. and project sponsors from the region will discuss upcoming developments in the energy sector from a business perspective and provide detailed information on more than 40 public and private-sector projects currently on the drawing boards.

The conference will cover opportunities in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, and several Caribbean countries. It is open to U.S. companies involved in petrochemical manufacturing, pipelines, oil and gas processing, energy-related engineering, construction, project development, and project finance. For additional information on the "Power and Energy in the Americas" conference, visit www.trademeetings.com or contact Dan Lamey by phone at (305) 667-4705 or by fax at (305) 667-7840.

E-EXPORT SEMINAR TO BE HELD OCTOBER 23

The Louisiana District Export Council (DEC), the Louisiana Technology Council, the Mayor’s Office of International Relations, and other organizations are sponsoring an all-day E-export Seminar on Monday, October 23 at the Pan American Life Center in New Orleans. Michelle O’Neill, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Technology, will be one of the featured speakers. The seminar will include a live pic-tel videoconference and will cover the following topics of discussion: e-exporting, e-taxation, methods of payment using the Internet, Internet transportation companies, and legal aspects of e-commerce. For additional information about the October 23 seminar, contact Jo Daughtery at the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center by phone at (504) 589-6546 or by e-mail at Jo.Daughtery@mail.doc.gov.

AETI TO CONDUCT TRADE FINANCE SEMINAR AT WTC

The American Export Training Institute (AETI) is holding a trade finance seminar at the World Trade Center in New Orleans on November 13-14. The seminar will be led by Richard "Chip" Thomas, a global trade and banking expert who has taught trade finance techniques to thousands of seminar participants worldwide. The seminar sponsors are Bank One, the U.S. Export-Import Bank, and the WTC. The seminar will provide a clear understanding of how to: (1) take advantage of financial tools such as letters of credit and Ex-Im Bank resources; (2) offer competitive credit terms and still receive payment upon shipment; (3) protect balance sheets and cashflow from the risks of international trade; and (4) identify creditworthy prospects and structure successful sales contracts. For details, call AETI at (212) 519-4343 or visit www.exportrisk.com.