FINNISH AMBASSADOR AND NOKIA PRESIDENT TO SPEAK

The World Trade Center, Honorary Consulate of Finland, Louisiana Economic Development, Phelps Dunbar Law Firm and other organizations are holding a special luncheon program at the WTC’s Plimsoll Club at 12:00 noon on Monday, January 5 on the topic "Finland: Knowledge and Innovation as a National Strategy." The featured speakers are H.E. Jukka Valtasaari, Finland’s Ambassador to the United States, and Mr. Kari-Pekka Wilska, President of Nokia Inc. for the Americas region. Mr. Wilska is the most senior Nokia official in the region and has overall responsibilities for each of Nokia’s business units: Nokia Mobile Phones, Nokia Networks, and Nokia Ventures Organization.

Jukka Valtasaari has been the Ambassador of Finland in Washington D.C. from November 1988 to January 1996, and again since October 2001. Between his Washington tours, he served as the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs in Helsinki, which is the highest non-elected office in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His previous postings include Director General for Foreign Trade in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Director of Arms Control.

The speakers will explain how a small country in northern Europe became:

• 1st in world competitiveness

• 1st in the world in ability to benefit from information and communications technology

• 1st in the world in environmental sustainability, and

• 1st in the world in literacy.

To register for the January 5 luncheon program, call (504) 529-1601, ext. 222, or click here.

INTRODUCTORY EXPORT-IMPORT WORKSHOP ON JANUARY 21

Ruperto Chavarri, Director of the Louisiana International Trade Center/SBDC, and Eugene Schreiber, Managing Director of the World Trade Center, will conduct a luncheon workshop on "Getting Started in Exporting and Importing" from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday January 21, in Suite 2900 of the WTC Building in New Orleans. To register for the January 21 workshop, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222, or click here.

The purpose of this introductory workshop is to walk you through the fundamentals of an international transaction, to give you an overview of the basic export-import process, and to provide you with the confidence and comfort level to convince you that itâs not as daunting as you may think to succeed in international trade.

If you like what you hear at the January 21 luncheon session, then you can learn more about this exciting -- and profitable -- process by taking the next step and signing up for a package of four 4 1/2-hour afternoon seminars (1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.) to be held on February 2, 4, 9, and 11 at the World Trade Center and conducted by the Louisiana International Trade Center. In those seminars, you will learn step-by-step the "how-to" of international market research, preparing products for export and import, pricing strategies, terms of sale and quotations, export and import documentation, export shipping and import entry procedures, trade financing, and methods of payment.

FEBRUARY 5 EXPORT SEMINAR IN BATON ROUGE

The New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), Port of Greater Baton Rouge, and Louisiana Economic Development will host a "Going Global the Right Way" seminar at the LABI Conference Center at 3113 Valley Creek Drive in Baton Rouge on Thursday, February 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Contact Moya McCaskill at (504) 589-6546 or e-mail moya.mccaskill@mail.doc.gov to register or for more information.

The seminar will educate companies on selling their products and services internationally. Various firms and organizations with extensive knowledge of exporting goods and services worldwide will discuss their experiences and expertise. Presenters include Commercial Officer Yousef Daqqaq with the U.S. Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and representatives from AllBrands, Bank One, Irwin Brown Company, Louisiana Economic Development, Oxford Alloys, Port of Greater Baton Rouge, U.S. Department of Commerce, and Xenetech.

HOMELAND SECURITY CARGO INITIATIVE

On November 20, the Department of Homeland Security released final rules that allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to collect cargo information necessary to identify high-risk shipments that could threaten the safety and security of the of the U.S. The rules for cargo security address the timeline of presentation for electronic advance manifest information. The final rules summary is online at www.cbp.gov. The timelines for outbound, export shipments are as follows:

• Air and Courier -- 2 hours prior to the scheduled departure from the U.S.
• Rail -- 2 hours prior to the arrival of the train at the border
• Vessel -- 24 hours prior to departure from the U.S. port where the cargo is laden
• Truck - 1 hour prior to the arrival of the truck at the border.

INDUSTRY MARKET REPORTS

Following is a list of U.S. Commercial Service industry reports. For the entire report(s), call the U.S. Export Assistance Center in New Orleans at (504) 589-6546, or in Shreveport at (318) 676-3064.

Brazil: Goodyear Invests US$80 Million in Production in Brazil

Brazil: Labeling Regulations

Brazil: Petrochemical Company Innovates with High Tech Resin

Canada: Natural Health Products Trade Mission

Canada: Protecting U.S. Exporters’ Collateral in Secured Sales & Lease Transactions

China: Guangzhou to Spend US$665 Million on Power Plant Desulfurization Equipment

Colombia: Opportunities in the Colombian Aviation Market

Colombia: The Colombian Motorcycles Market

Denmark: The Danish Oil and Gas Market

Greece: U.S. Automotive Products and the Greek Market

Guatemala: Hotel and Restaurant Equipment

Guatemala: Food Processing & Packaging Equipment/ Supplies

Norway: Shipbuilding and Maritime Equipment

Russia: Food Service Equipment

Russia: Franchising in the Far East

Russia: Russian Far East Trade Events in 2004

South Africa: Anti-Dumping Regulations

Thailand: Oil and Gas Equipment and Machinery

Vietnam: Packaging Equipment

Westbank: Opportunity for U.S. Advertising and Marketing Agencies

Westbank: Opportunity for U.S. Supermarket Developers

FRENCH PRODUCER OF FOIE GRAS SEEKS AGENT

A well-established French "foie gras" (fat liver) producer located in Bordeaux is interested in exporting its products to the United States and especially to Louisiana. Companies wishing to serve as its commercial agent should contact Magali Hulhoste or Thomas Anouilk, Le Moulin de la Molle, BP 10, 33 650 La Brede, France, or via e-mail at thomasanouilh@hotmail.com

CHARLES TEAMER ELECTED WTC PRESIDENT FOR 2004

The Board of Directors of the World Trade Center has elected Dr. Charles C. Teamer as President of the WTC for 2004. Dr. Teamer is Chairman of Dryades Savings Bank and is a past Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans.

Other WTC officers elected for 2004 are: President-elect, Charles W. Nelson, President, Waldemar S. Nelson & Co.; Vice Presidents - Leon R. Fulton, Chairman, Fulton, Johnson, Newman, & Pittman Insurance Agency; Ronnie Kole, Morrow Management, Inc.; J. Dwight LeBlanc, Partner, Chaffe McCall Phillips Toler & Sarpy, LLP; Treasurer, Constance C. Willems, McGlinchey Law Firm; Secretary Ray Liuzza, President, Holiday Inn Select; Chairman of the Board Donna D. Fraiche, Partner, Locke Liddell and Sapp; and Richard Allen and Eugene Schreiber, Managing Directors.

New Directors elected to the WTC Board are: James M. Baldwin, Vice President, Forest Lines, Inc. and Honorary Consul of Norway; Maria E. Bonilla, President, American Overseas Trading Corp.; Walter Dumas, Dumas & Associates; Deborah Foshee, Hemelt & Foshee; David Frady, Executive Vice President, Hibernia National Bank; Giovanna Icaza, Director, AlphaTech Communications; Richard Katz, President, Pelican Partners LLC; John A. Kazour, President, Petrotech, Inc.; Ernest D. Kelly, Ernest D. Kelly Accountant & Small Business Consultant; Sharon W. Leader, President, S.W. Leader, Inc.; John Payne, Harrah’s Casino; John Y. Pearce, Montgomery Barnett; Kevin Pollard, CEO, Compliant Technologies; David Schulingkamp, President, Barge Link, LLC.; Maria O’Byrne Stephenson, Partner, Stephenson, Matthews, Chavarri and Lambert and Honorary Consul of Peru; and Nancy W. Weir, Vice President, Alexander & Hamilton.

DISPLAY CATALOGS AT REBUILD IRAQ SHOW

The U. S. Department of Commerce/Commercial Service in Kuwait is sponsoring a U.S. products catalog show at "Rebuild Iraq." The participation fee is $300. Log on to www.rebuild-iraq-expo.com for details on the January 19-23 event at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds.

NEW SHIPPER’S EXPORT FORM MANDATORY

Due to changes in the Foreign Trade Statistics Regulations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection now mandates the U.S. export community to use a new Shipper’s Export Declaration Form (SED), effective January 18, 2004. You can download the new form (7525-V, dated 7-18-2003) at: www.census.gov/foreign-trade/regulations/forms. Any previous versions of the SEC tendered on or after January 18 will be rejected and the exporter will be advised of their failure to submit an SED.

AUSTRIA: FRONTIER OF A NEW EUROPEAN UNION

The following piece is from an "Export America" article by Kelly Parsons of the U.S. Commerce Department’s Office of European Union and Regional Affairs/Market Access and Compliance. Please call the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center at (504) 589-6546 for the entire article.

Austria offers excellent export opportunities for U.S. businesses. In May 2004, the European Union (EU) will welcome 10 new members. Austria will then border two longtime EU member states, two non-EU countries, and four new EU members, making it an excellent springboard into a host of new markets. This new status will create a more competitive environment for U.S. businesses seeking access to growing markets in Central and Eastern Europe. Already, some 360 U.S. firms have recognized this potential and use Vienna as a regional base of operations for their business activities in Central and Eastern Europe. The Austrian government plans to create a regional cooperation zone with Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, all countries that will join the European Union in 2004.

Austria’s principal imports are: machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, and oil/oil products. Best prospects for U.S. exporters to Austria are: computer software, computer services, telecommunications services, telecommunications equipment, drugs and pharmaceuticals, aircraft, aircraft parts, and health care equipment.

COMMERCIAL SERVICE INTERNSHIP IN ISRAEL

The Commercial Service at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv recently hosted the first two American college students under its formal Volunteer Student Internship Program, and all concerned found the experience most rewarding. This internship affords a unique educational experience in international trade and Middle Eastern affairs. Due to the unique conditions prevailing in the region, this internship opportunity is for serious and mature individuals only. Interested students close to completing an undergraduate program or in the midst of a graduate program, for a minimum of three months during the year should log on to www.buyusa.gov/israel/en/internship.html for details and forms.

EXPORT CONSULTANT OFFERS MARKETING SERVICES

An experienced export management consultant with an extensive network and active foreign travel schedule is available for full or part-time assistance to your firm. Industrial sales is a specialty, but he will consider all classes of goods and services. His particular area of expertise is establishing and working with foreign distributor sales networks. This consultant will work with you to evaluate your product for foreign markets, take the product to the markets selected, and produce tangible results. Your exposure will be maximized and your risk and costs minimized. He will get your product or service in front of overseas buyers in a way that you may not have considered or may not wish to dedicate your own resources to accomplish. Interested parties please contact Eugene Schreiber at the WTC at (504) 529-1601 ext. 227 for further information about this consultant.

JANUARY 30 CONFERENCE ON OUTLOOK ON THE AMERICAS

The Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America (AACCLA) invites you to join AACCLA’s "Outlook on the Americas" conference on Friday, January 30 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida from 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

The first major hemispheric business event of 2004, "Outlook on the Americas" will attract business executives, political leaders and strategists from international organizations to Miami Beach for a frank, open dialogue on the economic and political issues that will have the greatest impact on hemispheric trade in 2004.

Topics of discussion will include a progress report on the Bush Administration’s commitment to increasing trade in the Americas; an outlook on politics and its repercussions for trade issues in 2004; U.S. homeland security and its impact on travel and trade; and the future of the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and the Free Trade Areas of the Americas Agreement (FTAA).

Invited speakers include:

• Roger Noriega, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs

• Ambassador Ross Wilson, Chief Negotiator for the FTAA, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

• Robert Bonner, Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Counselor Tovar da Silva Nunes, Chief Negotiator for the FTAA, Brazilian Foreign Relations Ministry

• Ambassador Richard Bernal, Director General, Caribbean Regional Negotiating Authority

• Dr. Martin Redrado, Secretary of Trade, International Economic Relations and Consular Affairs, Argentina

You can register for the conference on-line at www.aaccla.org or for more information about the conference, registration and hotel information, please call Marjorie Brands at AACCLA at (202) 463-5485.

GIANTS ON THE RIVER FOR SALE THROUGH WTC

The WTC has for sale a 226-page publication entitled "Giants on the River: A Story of Chemistry and Industrial Development on the Lower Mississippi River Corridor" by R.W. Peterson. The book includes sections on the Lower Mississippi Corridor's early industry and its infrastructure, as well as sections on the following industries as they pertain to the corridor: oil refining, aluminum, paper, plastics, and synthetic rubber, among others. The cost of the book is $24 ($20 for WTC members). To order, click here.

LOUISIANA INTERNATIONAL TRADE DIRECTORY - 2004 EDITION

The WTC is in the process of updating the Louisiana International Trade Directory, the official import-export directory of Louisiana. The directory is published by Louisiana Economic Development, the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center, and the World Trade Center. It contains over 1,700 detailed listings of Louisiana exporters, trade services, trade organizations, and other valuable information. The directory is available in hard copy annually, and on a disk that is updated monthly. The new 2004 edition will be ready in late-January. If you are engaged in international trade and are not currently listed in the directory and would like to be listed, please contact the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 254. To see if your company is listed, click here.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE DICTIONARY WEBSITE

The U.S. Customs Service/International Trade Data System has hundreds of definitions of trade terms, written in layman’s language, in its "Dictionary of International Trade Terms." Check it out at www.itds.treas.gov/glossaryfrm.html.

JAMES BALDWIN NAMED HONORARY CONSUL OF NORWAY

James M. Baldwin, Jr., Vice President and General Manager of Forest Lines, Inc. has been named the Honorary Consul of Norway. Mr. Baldwin can be reached at (504) 593-8210, or by e-mail at baldwijm@intship.com.