FEBRUARY 21 LUNCHEON ON U.S. MARITIME POLICY

The World Trade Center, the Greater New Orleans Maritime Trade Alliance, and other organizations are holding a luncheon program at 12:00 Noon on Thursday, February 21 in the WTC’s Plimsoll Club on "Building a Maritime Policy for the 21st Century" featuring Captain William G. Schubert, Administrator of the Maritime Administration (MARAD) of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

MARAD is dedicated to the improvement of intermodal transportation system performance by applying advanced technology and innovation. Prominent among its goals is the U.S. maritime industry’s participation in foreign trade, and cargo and passenger movement in the domestic trades.

As the head of the Maritime Administration (MARAD), Captain William G. Schubert is responsible for the facilitation of the efficient and secure movement of people and cargo in domestic and international waterborne commerce to promote America’s growth and international competitiveness in a safe and healthy environment. Captain Schubert was previously President of International Trade & Transportation, Inc. (IT&T) in Houston, Texas. At IT&T, he provided transportation-related consulting services to ocean carriers, project exporters, freight forwarders, and lending institutions. Captain Schubert has dedicated 27 years to the maritime industry, including nine years at the Maritime Administration earlier in his career.

To register for the February 21 luncheon, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 271, or register online by clicking here.

QUERÉTARO, MEXICO DONATING FOUNTAIN TO NEW ORLEANS

Dr. Rolando García Ortiz, the Mayor of Querétaro, Mexico’s 16th largest city, will lead a high-level delegation to New Orleans at the end of this month to strengthen a wide range of reciprocal relations. The highlight of the visit will be a groundbreaking ceremony on March 1 at the site where a beautiful stone fountain which Querétaro is donating to New Orleans will be erected. The site is the Mississippi River Heritage Park, located on Convention Center Boulevard in downtown New Orleans.

On Friday, March 1, Dr. García Ortiz and the members of his delegation will be honored at a luncheon program in the World Trade Center’s Plimsoll Club. Following the luncheon, Mayor Marc Morial and Dr. García Ortiz will preside over the groundbreaking ceremony at the fountain’s site. At the luncheon, Dr. García Ortiz will describe why New Orleans was selected to receive one of the renowned Querétaro fountains. Dr. García Ortiz also will present his views on how New Orleans and Querétaro can work together to build new relationships in the areas of trade, tourism, culture, and education. This year is the 470th anniversary of the founding of Querétaro, and Dr. García Ortiz has chosen New Orleans as the first city in the U.S. to renew and strengthen city-to-city relationships, as symbolized by the donation of the fountain.

Last October, Mayor Morial appointed a Task Force on New Orleans-Querétaro Relations, chaired by Henry Patron, to identify a suitable location for the fountain and to create a funding mechanism for the long-term maintenance of the fountain. As a result, an endowment for this purpose is being established, with area companies and organizations with an interest in Mexico being encouraged to contribute to the endowment.

Mayor Morial led a 15-member New Orleans trade mission last month to Mexico City which was assisted by the Consul General of Mexico in New Orleans, Arturo Puente, who also served as a key link in the donation of the Querétaro fountain. While in Mexico, the Mayor and Consul General Puente met with Dr. García Ortiz to personally thank him and the City of Querétaro for selecting New Orleans to be the recipient of the fountain and to discuss his forthcoming visit to New Orleans.

For details about the March 1 luncheon in the Plimsoll Club, please call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 271, or register online by clicking here. Interested companies and individuals wishing to learn more about the endowment for the maintenance of the fountain should call WTC Managing Director Eugene Schreiber at (504) 529-1601, ext. 227.

FEBRUARY 27 PROGRAM ON HONG KONG AND CHINA

On Wednesday, February 27, the World Trade Center of New Orleans and other organizations will sponsor a luncheon program in the Plimsoll Club at 12:00 Noon on "Hong Kong: the Premier Business Platform for Post-WTO China." The featured speaker is Robin Chiu, Director of the Americas for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, who will discuss the overall Hong Kong business environment and opportunities for Louisiana companies.

In addition to Mr. Chiu, Mr. Mark Amoss, the President of Amoss Trading Services based in New Orleans, will describe hs experience in doing business in Hong Kong and China over many years.

Robin Chiu was appointed Regional Director for the Americas of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) in August 1998. Based in New York, Mr. Chiu formulates and implements the trade promotion program and directs trade development in the region for Hong Kong’s official trade agency. He oversees 12 offices and is responsible for an active program of trade development events consisting of trade shows, conferences, and business missions.

To register for the February 27 luncheon, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 271, or register online by clicking here.

LOUISIANA TRADE EVENTS

Feb. 6-8 -Mississippi Valley Trade and Transport Council’s Annual World Conference in New Orleans. Call (504) 566-1001

Feb. 20, 25, -Export and import seminars by the Louisiana International Trade Center-SBDC, at the World Trade Center of New Orleans, 3:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Seminar topics include Export/Import Strategies and Market Research, Pricing, Terms, Quotations and Customs Entry Procedures, International Banking, Financing, Transportation, and Documentation. Call (504) 568-8222.

Feb. 21 -"Building a Maritime Policy for the 21st Century" luncheon briefing featuring Captain William G. Schubert, Administrator of the Maritime Administration (MARAD) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 271.

Feb. 27 -"Hong Kong: the Premier Business Platform for Post-WTO China" luncheon briefing featuring Robin Chiu, Director of the Americas for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and Mark Amoss, President of Amoss Trading Services. Call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 271.

Mar. 1 -"The Role of International Development in the Global Economy" breakfast commem-orating Peace Corps Day, featuring former Peace Corps Volunteer and Peace Corps Acting Director, Charles Baquet, III, Director of International Programs at Xavier University. Call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 271.

Mar. 1 -Luncheon program celebrating the Querétaro-New Orleans relationship, featuring Mayor of Querétaro, Mexico, Dr. Rolando García Ortiz. Call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 271.

Mar. 8 -"The Role of Women in International Affairs" luncheon program to commemorate International Women’s Day featuring Her Excellency Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, Ambassador of Cyprus to the U.S. Call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 271.

Mar. 14 -Bertel Award Luncheon at the Plimsoll Club honoring Walter J. Boasso, Chief Executive Officer of Boasso America Corporation. Call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 271.

Mar. 20, 25, -Export and import seminars by the Louisiana International Trade Center-SBDC, at the World Trade Center of New Orleans, 3:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Seminar topics include Export/Import Strategies and Market Research, Pricing, Terms, Quotations and Customs Entry Procedures, International Banking, Financing, Transportation, and Documentation. Call (504) 568-8222.

Mar. 21 -Seminar on U.S. Export Regulations, all day at the World Trade Center. Call (703) 893-8080 for details.

INDUSTRY MARKET REPORTS

Following is a list of various U.S. Commercial Service Industry Market Insight Reports. For the entire report(s), call the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center at (504) 589-6546.

Chile - Customs Tariff on Imports Now Seven Percent;

China - Polyurethane Elastomer Market Potential;

China - Guangzhou Nansha Oil Storage Base to be Built;

Hungary - Imported Medical Products Must be Tested and Certified;

Korea - Billions of Dollars in Business Opportunities from New Deluxe Tourist Hotels;

Mexico - Elimination of Duty Drawbacks for Goods from non-NAFTA Countries - - Significance to U.S. Companies;

New Zealand - Lifejackets Become Compulsory on All Recreational Craft;

Peru - New List of Prohibited Agricultural Chemicals;

Russia - Veterinary Preparations & Supplies Market Resumes Rapid Growth;

Russia - Forestry, Pulp/Paper and Woodworking Monthly Newsletter.

MARCH 21 SEMINAR ON U.S. EXPORT REGULATIONS

Key U.S. export officials will be in New Orleans at the World Trade Center on Thursday, March 21 to conduct an all-day U.S. Export Regulations seminar. Discussion topics will include preparing the Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED), the Automated Export System (AES), export-import classification, Customs, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the State Department and the Bureau of Export Administration (BXA). For additional information, call (703) 893-8080.

WTC IS AFFILIATE PARTNER OF BUYUSA.COM

The World Trade Center of New Orleans has become an Affiliate Partner of BuyUSA.com, an international electronic marketplace created by the U.S. Commercial Service and IBM. This service provides U.S. companies with instant access to qualified foreign distributors, buyers, and sales leads, and also allows participating companies to post business opportunities online and generate publicity at promotional events worldwide. BuyUSA.com also offers an "Enhanced Catalogs" service for subscribing U.S. companies to transform their printed product materials into online, searchable catalogs, complete with a unique URL and the company’s own branding and logos. The Louisiana Department of Economic Development will reimburse the first 10 Louisiana companies half of the registration fee to subscribe to BuyUSA.com through the WTC’s Affiliate Partner program. Louisiana companies subscribing to BuyUSA.com should contact the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222, to determine if they were among the first 10 companies to sign up, in which case the WTC will arrange for their reimbursement.

INTERNATIONAL PORT PLANNING PROGRAM

Senior port officials and maritime industry executives interested in learning the latest port operation, planning and management techniques can participate in the 18th annual International Program for Port Planning and Management (IPPPM), to be held at the World Trade Center in New Orleans from May 13 to 24.

This program is truly international in scope: over the past 17 years, 525 participants from 99 countries have graduated from IPPPM. The program fosters closer ties between the U.S. and other countries, facilitates international trade between Louisiana and world ports, increases maritime expertise around the world, builds a network of international problem-solvers, and contributes to world peace and understanding.

This intensive training program offers maritime industry leaders from around the world a unique opportunity for further professional education and personal enrichment. IPPPM is sponsored by the Port of New Orleans, the World Trade Center of New Orleans, and the University of New Orleans National Ports and Waterways Institute/College of Urban and Public Affairs.

The 2002 program includes seminars on Port Planning and Development, Port Pricing/Economics/Tariffs and Cargo Projections, Port Operations, Productivity and Capacity, Strategic Planning and Port Sector Reform, Container Terminal Operations and Management, Developments in Ship Types, Size, Characteristics, and Cargo Transfer, Institutional Reform and Privatization, Port Environmental Considerations, Port Operations, and Cargo Handling Technologies.

Additional segments may address Port Authority Marketing, Port Engineering and Maintenance, The Role of Ports in the World Economy, Port Computerization, Port Terminal Operations, Capital Projects Management, Port Safety and Security, Marine Risk and Management Safety Issues, and Overview of Cargo Transportation - Modes and Economics. This general curriculum is supplemented by site visits to Port of New Orleans terminal facilities and riverfront development projects.

All courses are taught in English by a distinguished faculty composed of public and private sector maritime industry leaders from the U.S. and abroad; personnel from the Port of New Orleans, the University of New Orleans National Ports and Waterways Institute, and University faculty; and practitioners from the local maritime industry.

Tuition is U.S. $2,100. Accommodations can be made at the Marriott Residence Inn Downtown for $109 plus tax per room, per night, single or double occupancy. Financial assistance for foreign participants may be available from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH).

For an application or more information, contact by mail: Director, IPPPM; CUPA/LUTAC; University of New Orleans; New Orleans, LA 70148; U.S.A. Or call: (504) 280-6519; fax (504) 280-6272; e-mail: psimon@uno.edu. And please visit the IPPPM website at: www.uno.edu/cupa/ipppm.html.

BUSINESS INTERNSHIP TRAINING GRANTS AVAILABLE

The Department of Commerce’s Special American Business Internship Training program (SABIT) currently has $1.5 million available in grants for funding to U.S. organizations to conduct stateside training for business executives and scientists from the Newly Independent States (NIS) of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

Organizations that are awarded grants may select one or more NIS professionals from SABIT’s pool of qualified candidates, or they may propose their own NIS colleagues for internships. SABIT welcomes applications from for-profit and nonprofit organizations involved in many types of business ventures and scientific inquiry, including agribusiness, biotechnology, computer technology, medical and disease research, environmental protection, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, power engineering, and waste management. SABIT grants reimburse round-trip international airfare, $34 per diem, and up to $750 per month for lodging.

Over 70 percent of SABIT grantees develop business relationships with their interns, including joint ventures, distributorships, and long-term shared research projects. Since 1992, SABIT-facilitated business relationships have generated $166 million in U.S. exports.

For an application or more details, contact SABIT Marketing Coordinator Tracy Theisen by phone at (202) 482-0073, or by e-mail at tracy_theisen@ita.doc.gov, or visit www.mac.doc/sabit/sabit.html.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY LUNCHEON ON MARCH 8

The World Trade Center and other organizations will hold a special luncheon program on "The Role of Women in International Affairs" at 12:00 Noon on Friday, March 8 in the WTC’s Plimsoll Club. In commemoration of International Women’s Day, the luncheon will feature Her Excellency Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, Ambassador of Cyprus to the United States.

Mrs. Kozakou-Marcoullis has served as Ambassador of Cyprus to the U.S. since 1998. She is currently also accredited as High Commissioner to Canada, Guyana and Jamaica and Ambassador to Brazil. Her previous assignments included Ambassador of Cyprus to Sweden, with concurrent accreditation to Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania; member of the Permanent Mission of Cyprus to the United Nations; Consul of Cyprus in New York; and Director of the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cyprus.

Throughout her career, Ambassador Kozakou-Marcoullis has participated as the representative of Cyprus in many world conferences, Commonwealth and Non-Aligned meetings, as well as in nine sessions of the United Nations General Assembly, having served in many committees and bodies of the United Nations system. She primarily handled political, human rights, and women’s issues.

To register for the March 8 luncheon, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 271, or register online by clicking here.

FORWARDERS AND BROKERS SAVE YOU TIME

While exporting can greatly contribute to a firm’s economic growth, it can also be a time consuming process for the small and medium-sized business. Freight forwarders and customs brokers can help exporters mitigate confusion and delays associated with international trade logistics.

What is a Freight Forwarder?

To comply with export documentation and shipping requirements, many exporters use a freight forwarder to act as their shipping agent. The freight forwarder advises and assists clients on how to move goods most efficiently from one destination to another. A Forwarders extensive knowledge of documentation requirements, regulations, transportation costs, and banking practices can ease the exporting process for many companies. Freight forwarders are licensed by the International Air Transportation Association for air cargo and by the Federal Maritime Commission for handling ocean-bound cargo.

Why Use a Freight Forwarder?

Whether the exporting firm is large or small, the shipment light or heavy, the freight forwarder will take care of cargo from "dock to door" if requested to do so. This can include the correct filing of export documentation, all arrangements with carriers, packing, crating, and storage needs. The small and medium-sized company need not deal with many of the details involved with the logistics of exporting their goods. Forwarders typically charge modest rates for their services and have access to shipping discounts. Given the years of experience and constant attention to detail provided by the forwarder, it may be a good investment.

What is a Customs Broker?

A customs broker performs transactions at ports on behalf of other parties. In other words, an importer hires a customs broker to guide the importer’s goods into a country. Like the freight forwarder, the customs broker will recommend efficient means for clearing goods through the maze of customs entry protocol. The broker can estimate the landed costs for shipments entering the country. U.S. exporters typically do not book shipments directly with a foreign customs broker, because freight forwarders often partner with customs brokers overseas who will clear goods that the forwarder ships to the overseas port. Conversely, those same foreign customs brokers contract the services of the domestic freight forwarder when the goods are headed in the opposite direction.

The transactions negotiated for the importers will include the entry of goods into a customs territory, payment of taxes and duties, and duty drawback or refunds of any kind. The broker has knowledge of regulations not only from the corresponding customs authority, but also from other regulating agencies involved in imports.

How Can I Find A Freight Forwarder and/or Customs Broker?

Metropolitan area telephone directories often include listings of freight forwarders or transportation companies. The International Freight Forwarders & Custom Brokers Association of New Orleans, Inc. publishes a yearly membership directory. Call the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center at (504) 589-6546 to request a copy. You may also find contacts through the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America by calling (202) 466-0222, or log onto www.ncbfaa.org.

WORLD AFFAIRS GROUP HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING

The World Affairs Councils of America (WACA), an organization represented locally by the Foreign Relations Association of New Orleans, recently held its national conference in Washington, D.C. The theme of the conference was "The Future of the Americas." President George W. Bush opened the conference in the Hall of the Americas at the Organization of American States with a major policy speech on the Western Hemisphere, focusing particularly on his plan to create a Free Trade Area with Central America. (The full text of the President’s comments may be found at www.washingtonpost.com.)

The conference was attended by 335 WACA members from around the country, 44 ambassadors, and 28 speakers discussing matters of trade, diplomacy, and security in the region. National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez, National Security Council Director Amb. John Maisto, Assistant Secretary of State Otto Reich, Deputy U.S.Trade Representative Amb. Peter Allgeier also gave presentations. Seven major plenary sessions offered an overview of Latin America and perspectives on Mexico, Colombia, the Drug War, the Free Trade Area of the Americas, Cuba, and doing business in Latin America.

Next year’s WACA conference theme is the U.S. and Asia, focusing particularly on China, and it will take place January 15-17, 2003. For information on the Foreign Relations Association of New Orleans, please call (504) 523-2201.

BRIDGER NAMED G.M. OF NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC BELT

Mr. James E. Bridger took up his new duties as General Manager of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad in November. He previously served as President of the New York & Atlantic Railway in New York City and Long Island, New York. Mr. Bridger has over 25 years in the railroading industry and spent 18 years with the Union Pacific Railroad. At the Union Pacific, his last position was that of General Manager of Coal and Bulk Operations for the entire rail system. In 1995, Mr. Bridger was hired away from the Union Pacific to become Senior Vice President of Western Union/First Data Corporation in Omaha. While at Western Union, he completed the merger between First Data of Omaha and First Financial Corporation out of Atlanta. This merger created the largest credit card processing company in the world.

CHINA GRANTED PERMANENT NORMAL TRADE STATUS

On January 1, 2002, President Bush signed a proclamation granting permanent normal trading relations (PNTR) status to the People’s Republic of China.

Congress authorized these actions subject to the President’s certification that the final terms of entry for China into the World Trade Organization (WTO) were at least equivalent to those agreed to bilaterally between the U.S. and China in 1999, and China’s successful entry into the WTO. The President certified the equivalency of the final terms in November 2001, and China formally became a WTO member in December 2001.

The following lists the U.S.’s best prospects for exports to China as outlined in the U.S. Commerce/Foreign Commercial Service’s Country Commercial Guide for China FY 2002: Telecommunications Equipment; Oil and Gas; Medical Equipment; Pharmaceuticals; Audio Visual Equipment; Pollution-Control Equipment; Insurance Industry; Airport and Ground Support Equipment; Computers & Peripherals; Building/ Decorations Materials; Computer Software; Education & Training; Plastic Materials and Resins; Agricultural Chemicals.

The best prospects for Agricultural Goods and Services are: Grains; Grass Seeds; Oilseeds; Poultry & Meat; Hides & Skins; Snack Foods; Fresh Fruits; Beef & Pork Variety Meats; Dairy Ingredients; and Seafood.

For a copy of the China Country Commercial Guide, call the U.S. Export Assistance Center in New Orleans at (504) 589-6546, or in Shreveport at (318) 676-3064.

JEAN FELTS ELECTED WTC PRESIDENT

The Board of Directors of the World Trade Center has elected Jean C. Felts as President of the WTC for 2002. Ms. Felts is the Principal of Jean Felts & Company. Other WTC officers elected for 2002 are: President-elect, Donna Fraiche, Partner, Lock Liddell & Sapp; Vice Presidents - Leon R. Fulton, Chairman, Fulton & Johnson Insurance Agency; J. Dwight LeBlanc, Partner, Chaffe McCall Phillips Toler & Sarpy, LLP; and Charles W. Nelson, President, Waldemar S. Nelson & Co.; Treasurer, Dr. Charles C. Teamer, Chairman, Board of Directors, Dryades Savings Bank; Secretary, Ronnie Kole; Chairman of the Board, Francis E. Lauricella, General Partner, Lauricella Land Company, LLC; and Richard Allen and Eugene Schreiber, Managing Directors.

New directors elected to the WTC Board are: Bobby C. Brannon, Executive Vice President & Treasurer, Ochsner Clinic Foundation; Valerie S. Cahill, Regional Manager, American Construction Management; Dr. James Callier, Executive Director, Patrick Taylor Foundation; Jodee Daroca, Chief Financial Officer, Silocaf of New Orleans, Inc; Carlos Hidalgo, President/Owner, Tech-Sales, Inc.; John Hyatt, Vice President, The Irwin Brown Company; Edwin G. Jewett, Jr., President, MI Consultants; Marwan Kabbani, Vice President, Crystal International Corporation; Kurt Kapota, Assistant Vice President, Panalpina, Inc.; Philip Lorio, Partner, Deutsch Kerrigan & Stiles; Woodward H. Register, Regional Sales Manager, P&O Ports Louisiana, Inc.; Allen Semien, Sr., President and CEO, VCI International; Gordon Stevens, President, New Orleans Steamboat Company; Dean Taylor, President, Tidewater, Inc.; Jimmy Thorns, Jr., President, Thorns Consulting, Inc.

NEW "SCHEDULE B" BOOK

The Harmonized System Classification (also known as "Schedule B" in the U.S.) is an international standardized numerical method of classifying traded products. Every exported item is assigned a unique 10-digit Schedule B code.

Customs officials worldwide use the Schedule B to determine the duties, taxes, and regulations that apply to the product. Schedule B’s are also used in reporting export shipments from the U.S. and in compiling official U.S. export statistics.

A new edition of the Schedule B is now available, containing 10-digit commodity number changes resulting from revisions made to the International Harmonized System. The changes include:

• Approximately 1,000 new 10-digit commodity classification numbers.

• An improved and updated 6-digit alphabetic index, reflecting the 2002 revisions made to the Harmonized System. This index will better enable exporters to locate the correct commodity classification numbers needed for their export shipment documentation.

Log onto the Internet at www.census.gov/foreign-trade/schedules/b/ to view the 2002 edition of the Schedule B book.

TAIWAN BECOMES MEMBER OF WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION

On January 1, Taiwan became the 144th member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Taiwan will enter the WTO as the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, or "Chinese Taipei."

Taiwan’s accession to the WTO will benefit a wide range of U.S. companies. Taiwan will have to eliminate many existing non-tariff barriers, meet a higher standard for protection of intellectual property rights, and ensure that product standards do not act as barriers to imports. Taiwan will now be subject to the WTO dispute settlement process.

For information on exporting to Taiwan, call the U.S. Export Assistance Center in New Orleans at (504) 589-6546, or in Shreveport at (318) 676-3064.

SAUDI ARABIA INCREASES IMPORT TARIFFS

Last year Saudi Arabia decreased its tariffs from 12% to 5% on many imported products. The tariffs have been raised back to 12% on more than 170 items. For a copy of the 12-page list of products affected by the increase, call the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center at (504) 589-6546 or the Shreveport USEAC at (318) 676-3064.

BREAKFAST BRIEFING TO COMMEMORATE PEACE CORPS DAY

Ambassador Charles Baquet, III, the new Director of International Programs at Xavier University and former diplomat and senior Peace Corps official, will speak at a breakfast program on "The Role of International Development in the Global Economy" at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 1, in the 29th floor Executive Offices of the World Trade Center. The program commemorates Peace Corps Day and is sponsored by the Louisiana Peace Corps Association, the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, the World Trade Center and other organizations.

Ambassador Baquet served as Deputy Director of the Peace Corps from 1994 until 2000, when he became Acting Director of the Peace Corps. Ambassador Baquet’s long and distinguished career in international service began in 1965 when he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Somali Republic teaching English and social studies. Upon returning home, he joined Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA).

In 1969, Ambassador Baquet entered the U.S. Foreign Service, where he held a number of high level positions in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, including posts in Paris, Hong Kong, and Beirut. From 1988 to 1991, while Consul General in Cape Town, South Africa, he witnessed the end of apartheid and the birth of a new democratic South Africa. In 1991, Mr. Baquet was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti by President Bush, where he served until his return to the Peace Corps as Deputy Director in 1994.

Ambassador Baquet received a B.A. in History and English Literature from Xavier University and an M.A. in Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Government at Syracuse University.

To register for the March 1 breakfast, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 271, or register online by clicking here.