WORLD TRADE MONTH : MAY 2001

Each year, the President of the United States proclaims the third week of May as World Trade Week. This year’s world trade theme is "Service Exports". Louisiana exports over $4 billion worth of goods and services per year worldwide, according to the latest U.S. Census figures. In today’s global marketplace, exporting is the key for any small-and medium-size company to increase its sales. In promotion of world trade, many Louisiana organizations are sponsoring a series of export-related events throughout the month of May. These events and their locations include:

May 2 -"Outlook on Mexico: Opportunities for Louisiana Businesses" Luncheon Program

World Trade Center (WTC) in New Orleans

-Speaker: Dale Slaght, Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs,U.S. Embassy, Mexico City

 

May 3 "Export Opportunities" Conference

Southeastern University in Hammond

-Speaker: Tom Strauss, U.S. Department of Commerce/U.S. Commercial Service Director of Operations

 

May 9 -Evening Reception for Delegation of French Mayors

Gallier Hall in New Orleans

 

May 10 "Africa Development Bank" Seminar

Southern University in Baton Rouge

-Speaker: Tapan Banerjee, African Development Bank Senior Foreign Commercial Officer

 

May 10 -"U.S. Export Tax Incentives: How to Benefit from the New Foreign Sales Corporation Replacement Legislation" Seminar

Bank One in Lafayette

Speaker: Edward K. Dwyer, CPA

 

May 11 -"Into Africa" All-Day Conference, including plenary session with Ambassadors from Angola, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Namibia, Nigeria

WTC in New Orleans.

-Other speakers include: Tapan Banerjee, African Development Bank Senior Commercial Officer

-Keynote Luncheon Speaker - Congressman William Jefferson

 

May 17 -Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) "Matching Funds Program" Seminar WTC in New Orleans

Speaker: Jim Ake, SUSTA Director

 

May 21 -Rededication of the Spanish Plaza—at Riverwalk behind the WTC in New Orleans

 

May 22 -"Doing Business with Spain" Luncheon Program

WTC in New Orleans

-Speaker: Michael Liikala, Counselor for Commercial Affairs, U.S. Embassy, Madrid

 

May 24 -"Global Outlook on Air Cargo" Luncheon Program

WTC in New Orleans

-Speaker: Donald Laurvick, Vice President of International Sales, United Parcel Service (UPS)

 

May 24 -"International Mixer" Evening Reception Honoring the Consular Corps

WTC in New Orleans

For details on these events (some of which are described elsewhere in this Bulletin), please call Jo Daugherty or Jean Collins at the New Orleans Export Assistance Center at (504) 589-6546, or Susannah Coolidge at the World Trade Center at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222.

WTC TO HOST "INTO AFRICA" CONFERENCE ON MAY 11

The Corporate Council on Africa is holding a major all-day conference from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 11 in the Plimsoll Club of the World Trade Center in New Orleans. The forum, part of the Corporate Council on Africa’s "Into Africa" road show, is designed to introduce companies to trade and investment opportunities in Africa.

The conference’s morning plenary session will feature the Ambassadors from Angola, the Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Namibia, and Nigeria. Louisiana Congressman William Jefferson is the keynote luncheon speaker. The conference will also include presentations by representatives of the African Development Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the Export-Import Bank, and the Trade and Development Agency.

To register for the May 11 conference, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 271, or register online at www.wtc-no.org/programs/index.html.

MAY 18 LUNCHEON PROGRAM ON INTERNATIONAL REFUGEES

The Consulate General of Japan, the World Trade Center, and other organizations are holding a special luncheon program at the WTC’s Plimsoll Club in New Orleans at 12:00 noon on Friday, May 18. The featured speaker is The Honorable Sadako Ogata, former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, who will speak on "International Refugees: A Growing Worldwide Concern."

By way of background, Ms. Ogata served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from February 1991 until December 2000. Mrs. Ogata was first elected to this post by the U.N. General Assembly in December 1990 for three years and was then re-elected for two additional terms. Among the many other high positions she previously held, Mrs. Ogata served as Chairman of the Executive Board of UNICEF and also was Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations. Mrs. Ogata also served as Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Studies at Sophia University in Tokyo and was Director of the Institute of International Relations at the same university.

Mrs. Ogata received a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley in 1963, an M.A. in International Relations from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. in 1953 and a B.A. from the University of Sacred Heart in Tokyo in 1951. On May 19, the day after the WTC luncheon, Mrs. Ogata will be receiving an Honorary Degree from Tulane University.

For registration information about the May 18 luncheon program, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 271, or register online at www.wtc-no.org/programs.

MAY 2 LUNCHEON ON BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN MEXICO

The New Orleans Export Assistance Center, World Trade Center and other organizations are holding a luncheon program at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, May 2 at the WTC’s Plimsoll Club on the "Outlook on Mexico: Opportunities for Louisiana Businesses" featuring Dale V. Slaght, Minister of Commercial Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.

Mr. Slaght began his U.S. government career in 1972 as an international economist and entered the U.S. Foreign Service in 1977. When the U.S. Department of Commerce created the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service in 1980, Mr. Slaght was among those selected for its first class of officers. He has served abroad in Uruguay, Panama, Germany, Canada, and Russia. He was head of the Office of Mexico from 1982-1984 and the Principal Commercial Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Toronto from 1988-1991. To register for the May 2 luncheon, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 271, or register online at www.wtc-no.org/programs.

MAY LITC SEMINARS

May 7 -"Import/Export Strategies and Market Research" seminar from 3:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. in New Orleans at the World Trade Center. Topics include the export and import business, keys to export and import success, local and foreign assistance, and international market research programs. Call the Louisiana International Trade Center (LITC) at (504) 568-8222 for registration information.

May 9 -"Pricing, Terms, Quotations and Customs Entry Procedures" seminar from 3:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the WTC in New Orleans. Topics include export and import licenses, preparing products for export and import, pricing strategies, terms of sale and quotations, customs entry procedures, and the cultural environment of international business. Call the LITC at (504) 568-8222 for registration.

May 14 -"International Banking, Financing, Transportation, and Documentation" seminar from 3:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the WTC in New Orleans. Topics include international banking in Louisiana, methods of payment, SBA and Eximbank financing programs, international freight forwarders and customs brokers, and export and import documentation. Call the LITC at (504) 568-8222.

MAY 9 CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

A partnership of the University of New Orleans, Louisiana State University, and the LSU system will hold a conference on "International Education as Economic Development" on Wednesday, May 9 at the Pennington Conference Facility in Baton Rouge from 9:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.. There is no charge for the conference, and a light lunch will be provided. The conference will include a keynote address, a panel discussion by higher education administrators, and four special interest breakout sessions. Dr. Allan Goodman, President and CEO of The Institute of International Education in New York, will be the featured speaker. The breakout sessions will cover the following topics: Study Abroad and Exchange Programs; The Impact of International Students and Visitors; Exploring Challenges and Solutions; Policy Issues; and International Partnerships, Agreements, and Collaboratives.

For registration details, call Becky Rutter, Project Director at (504) 849-8156.

MAY 24 PROGRAM ON AIR CARGO OUTLOOK

As part of World Trade Month, the New Orleans Export Assistance Center, Louisiana Department of Economic Development, World Trade Center and other organizations are sponsoring a luncheon program at 12:00 Noon on Thursday, May 24 at the WTC’s Plimsoll Club on "The Global Outlook on Air Cargo" featuring Donald Laurvick, Vice President of International Sales for UPS. To register, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext 271, or register online at www.wtc-no.org/programs/index.html.

LOUISIANA TRADE MISSION TO CHINA IN AUGUST

Le Centre International de Lafayette, in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Economic Development and the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center, is organizing a trade mission to the People’s Republic of China on the occasion of the International Business Exchange in Zhengzhou on August 24 - September 5. The mission includes participation in a national commercial exhibition in Zhengzhou, and one-on-one business meetings in Zhengzhou and Shanghai. Before departing on the mission, a live videoconference will be held in Louisiana with the U.S. Commercial Service in Shanghai.

The International Business Exchange is a business matchmaking event, with pre-scheduled, pre-screened appointments prepared for each participant. The cost for the mission is $2,900 per person (based on hotel double occupancy). This price includes: roundtrip coach air travel; transportation in China for scheduled meetings and planned sightseeing; scheduled meals; registration for the International Business Exchange; private appointments with senior government officials and business representatives; and interpreting services. A two-day continuation to Beijing is offered for an additional $450.

For additional information call Le Centre International de Lafayette at (337)291-5474.

JO DAUGHERTY RECEIVES COMMERCE AWARD

Jo Daugherty, Trade Reference Assistant of the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center, received the U.S. Department of Commerce National Customer Service Award on April 10 in Washington, D.C. Ms. Daugherty was recognized by the International Trade Administration’s Under Secretary for her "outstanding professional customer service skills and devotion to duty". Ms. Daugherty has been with Commerce since 1982.

LITC SEEKS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

The Louisiana International Trade Center/SBDC, located in the World Trade Center in New Orleans, is seeking a part-time Assistant Director (20 hours per week). Candidates must have a B.S. degree in business, or a related field, plus good computer and accounting skills. Interested candidates should fax their resumes to the LITC Director at (504) 568-8228. The deadline is May 6.

2001 LOUISIANA TRADE DIRECTORY AVAILABLE

The World Trade Center is now selling the 2001 edition of the Louisiana International Trade Directory, the official export-import directory of the State of Louisiana. The directory contains more than 2,000 listings of Louisiana exporters and importers, plus a host of allied service industries such as ports and airports, steamship agencies, freight forwarders, customs brokers, international banks, chambers of commerce, foreign consulates, attorneys, consultants, and other service providers.

The trade directory is available in hard copy for $40 ($25 for WTC members) and on disk for $150 ($100 for WTC members.) To order the directory, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 271 or click here. The directory is also available on the WTC website. It can be accessed from the search page at www.wtc-no.org/search.

If your Louisiana-based company is presently exporting or importing goods or services and is not already listed in the Directory and you would like to be listed at no charge, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 254 or 271 and request a directory questionnaire or click here to fill out an on-line form.

WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRADE CONFERENCE

On May 14, fourteen Senior Commercial Service Officers from the U.S. Embassies in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America will participate in the Western Hemisphere Trade Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. This is a great chance to meet with these Officers at one-on-one appointments to discuss export strategies for the Western Hemisphere. The registration fee is $90. For details, log on to the Internet at www. homestead.com/whconference, or call the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center at (504)589-6546, or the Shreveport Export Assistance Center at (318)676-3064.

WTC SUMMER LANGUAGE CLASSES TO BEGIN JUNE 4

For the 53rd consecutive year, the World trade Center will offer its summer session of foreign language classes starting the week of June 4 at the WTC Building in New Orleans. The classes are conducted by the faculty of Alpha Tech Communications. The emphasis is on business usage and conversation. Small classes led by experienced teachers ensure good individual attention. The session will last 6 weeks: classes will meet once a week for two hours. The following languages will be offered: French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, and English as a Second Language. Tuition is $95 for WTC members and their spouses and $190 for non-members. (Registration and materials cost $45.) Free parking is available in the WTC Garage. Call Alpha Tech at (504) 454-6554.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOUISIANA EXPAND IN LATIN AMERICA

The following "Guest Perspective" article written by Eugene Schreiber, Managing Director of the World Trade Center of New Orleans, appeared in the April 23 issue of New Orleans CityBusiness.

The Western Hemisphere’s 34 democratically elected heads of state have gathered in Quebec City for the third Summit of the Americas. Started by President Clinton in 1994, the Summit has usefully served to identify and address the hemisphere’s common political, economic, and social agenda. It is a major opportunity for President Bush to meet his counterparts and highlight the U.S.’s commitment to expanded hemispheric cooperation and engagement.

While many issues were on the agenda, one of the principal ongoing goals of the summit process is the creation of a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by 2005. This would be a single hemispheric market encompassing more than 850 million people and generating a gross domestic product exceeding $9 trillion. FTAA is one of President Bush’s top foreign policy priorities, as he made clear throughout the presidential campaign.

To accomplish this goal, the President will have to obtain "fast track" negotiating authority from Congress. It will allow him to conduct tariff reduction and other negotiations with the other countries in the region and eventually send an agreement to Congress for an "up or down" vote not subject to amendment.

Latin America is the fastest growing export market for the U.S., accounting for two-thirds of our country’s export growth worldwide and 40% of total U.S. merchandise exports. The region ranks as our own area’s top global priority as well. There are a number of reasons for that, starting with Louisiana’s proximity to Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Having the Mississippi River flowing past our windows and with the Gulf of Mexico just eight hours’ steaming time from our port gives us a major comparative advantage in transportation, both for Louisiana-made products and for cargoes originating in the Midwestern states. Our area’s trade-related services and technology also have great potential in Latin American markets. Good examples are medical, engineering/consulting, financial, IT, legal, agribusiness, and environmental services.

Exports from Louisiana to Latin America (including the huge grain shipments from the Midwest that are transshipped through our deepwater ports to foreign markets) totaled $5.4 billion last year, more than double the volume 10 years earlier. Exports from Louisiana to Mexico alone have more than tripled since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) took effect between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada in 1994; exports from Louisiana to Mexico last year rose 32% to $1.8 billion, making that country our state’s second largest export market after Japan.

Other sectors of high Latin American potential are our area’s unparalleled tourism attractions and conference facilities. For example, four of the five top-ranking countries in expenditures under the Louisiana Tax Free Shopping program are from Latin America (Honduras, Mexico, Venezuela, and Brazil). In recent years New Orleans was selected as the host city on three occasions for Summit of the Americas follow-up hemispheric ministerial meetings on finance, transportation, and energy. The Inter-American Development Bank held its annual meeting in New Orleans last year; it marked only the second time in 41 years that it was held in the United States.

What is needed for Louisiana to take greater advantage of these and many other business opportunities with Latin America in the future? Here is a short list to consider:

• Increased marketing of the goods, services, and technology that Louisiana businesses can offer to Latin America. This includes more trade missions in both directions, since personal relationships are still critical even in this age of high-tech communications.

• Making greater use of our area’s human resources, especially the Hispanic community, the universities, and the Consular Corps in our international marketing efforts.

• Expanded airline service between New Orleans and Latin America for both passengers and air cargo.

• An enhanced transportation infrastructure, especially deepwater ports and highways.

• A strategic vision and action plan incorporating all these assets and needs, which interested parties throughout the state and region can focus on.

International trade and transportation have long been the life-blood of Louisiana’s economy and can be of even greater importance in the future in Latin America and elsewhere if we decide to take full advantage of the wealth of opportunities presented.

MAY 22 LUNCHEON BRIEFING ON BUSINESS WITH SPAIN

The New Orleans Export Assistance Center, the World Trade Center, and other organizations are holding a luncheon program at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, May 22 at the WTC’s Plimsoll Club on "Doing Business with Spain" featuring Michael Liikala, Counselor for Commercial Affairs ath the U.S. Embassy in Madrid.

Mr. Liikale is currently the Senior Commericial Officer in Spain and oversees all commercial operations for the United States through the Embassy offices in Madrid and Barcelona. He is also responsible for the Commercial Services Europe-wide E-Commerce program. He has spent 20 years in senior positions in the field and in Washington D.C., including serving as Senior Commercial Oficer in Buenos Aires and U.S. Commercial Services’ Western Regional Director, in charge of 60 Commercial Service Export Assistance Centers in 13 western U.S. states. He also served as Chief of Staff and Senior Trade Advisor to two Under Secretaries of Commerce advising on national security and trade related issues.

To register for the May 22 luncheon, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 271, or register online at www.wtc-no.org/programs.

COMMERCIAL NEWS USA PROMOTES U.S. EXPORTS

Advertising in the U.S. Department of Commerce ‘s publication Commercial News USA is a low-cost way for Louisiana companies to promote their products or services around the world. Copies are distributed in 145 countries, plus your ad will appear online to receive even greater exposure. Rates start at $495 for a 1/9 page black and white ad, up to $695 for color. Log onto www.cnewsusa.com, or call the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center at (504) 589-6546 for details and a sample copy.

EXPORT ENFORCEMENT WORKSHOP IN HOUSTON

The U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, will present its Business Executive Enforcement Team ("BEET") workshop on Thursday, May 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, at the Greater Houston Partnership, Two Allen Center Building, in Houston.

From its inception in 1991, the BEET has become the forum for industry executives to stay current with the latest "hands-on" export enforcement topics. More than 3,000 business executives have participated in this program, taking advantage of the unique opportunity to present their concerns and communicate directly with senior U.S. law enforcement officials and to learn about new and on-going enforcement initiatives. As Export Enforcement reshapes its mission to reflect enhanced controls on weapons technologies, interaction with senior corporate officers of industry affected by these controls is welcome.

The agenda for the May 17 workshop includes presentations by officials from the Office of Export Enforcement, the Office of Chief Counsel, the Office of Anti-Boycott Compliance, the United States Attorney’s Office, and the Office of Foreign Trade of the Bureau of Census. The cost of the workshop is $40 and includes a continental breakfast and all conference materials. For more information about the BEET workshop and to request a registration form, contact Cari Broderson at the Greater Houston Partnership at (713) 844-3600 or "cbroderson@houston.org" or Special Agent Paul Straughn at the Office of Enforcement, Dallas Field Office, at (214) 767-4026 or "pstraughn@bxa.doc.gov"

MAY 17 SUSTA SEMINAR ON MATCHING FUNDS PROGRAM

The Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA) will hold a free seminar on the Matching Funds Program (MAP Branded) at the World Trade Center in New Orleans on May 17 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The seminar will be held in the Crescent City Room on the 18th floor of the WTC. One-on-one meetings with SUSTA representatives are available on Friday, May 18. A block of hotel rooms has been reserved at the St. James Hotel at 330 Magazine Street for $139 per night. Please call 1-888-211-3447 and reference SUSTA when making your reservations no later than May 2. For more information, visit the SUSTA website at: www.susta.org/branded/mapseminars.stm or contact SUSTA at (504) 568-5986 or susta@susta.org.

U.S. OFFICE IN AUSTRALIA OFFERS EXPORT PUBLICATIONS

The U.S. Commercial Service in Sydney offers the following free trade publications:

• The Australian Export Opportunities Bulletin - designed to help U.S. companies find business in Australia;

• Australian Environment - environmental trade leads;

• Defense Focus - defense market opportunities and items of interest on Australian defense procurement matters;

• Franchising - U.S. master franchise business opportunities.

To be included on the mailing list for any of these items, contact the U.S. Commercial Service at fax 61-2-9221-0573 or e-mail: sydney.office.box@mail.doc.gov.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN SUMMIT IN NIGERIA ON MAY 21-25

The sixth African-American Summit will be held May 21-25 in Abuja, Nigeria. A total of 10,000 delegates from across the U.S., Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean are expected to attend, including 25 African heads of state. For additional information, call Carl Galmon, Deputy Director of African Affairs in the New Orleans Mayor’s Office of International Relations and Trade Development, at (504) 565-7230.

U.S. EXPORTS TO NIS START TO RECOVER

U.S. exports to the Newly Independent States grew nearly 17 percent in 2000 to $3.3 billion after plunging to $2.8 billion in 1999 (the lowest level in the post-Soviet period). The degree of growth and recovery varied from country to country, but was led by U.S. sales to Russia ($2.3 billion), which accounted for almost two-thirds of total exports to the region. Most NIS countries have begun to overcome the unfavorable economic conditions resulting from the slow pace, or lack, of market reform, and magnified by the August 1998 Russian financial crisis. As a result, purchase orders for goods from the U.S. have begun to grow, albeit slowly.

SOUTHEASTERN TO HOST REGIONAL ECONOMIC SUMMIT

The Second Annual Southeast Louisiana Regional Economic Summit will be held on May 3-4 at the Southeastern University Center in Hammond. This important economic event will present "Emerging Economic Engines for Southeast Louisiana." The event platform features prominent international speakers as well as economic development experts on topics addressing regional development. One of the speakers is Tom Strauss, U.S. Department of Commerce/U.S. Commercial Service Director of Operations. Please visit www.selu.edu/Summit or call (985) 549-3831 for more information.

INTERNATIONAL MIXER SET FOR MAY 24

Mark your calendars for the "International Mixer" on Thursday, May 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the World Trade Center’s Plimsoll Club in celebration of World Trade Month.

The WTC, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Commerce and other international trade and transportation organizations, will host this lively networking event with members of the Consular Corps of New Orleans as special guests. Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, free parking, door prizes and great networking with local chapters of the following trade organizations:

• International Freight Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association

• Air Cargo Association

• Board of Trade

• Steamship Association of Louisiana

• Propeller Club of the U.S.

• World Trade Club of Greater New Orleans

• World Trade Center

Special thanks to United Parcel Service for sponsoring this event.