AMBASSADOR TO GUATEMALA TO SPEAK ON OCTOBER 8

The World Trade Center and other organizations will sponsor a breakfast program at the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans on Friday, October 8 featuring Hon. John R. Hamilton, U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala, who will be speaking on "The U.S. and Guatemala: An Expanding Relationship." To register for the October 8 breakfast, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or click here.

John Hamilton has served as Ambassador to Guatemala since 2002. He previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Peru from 1999 until 2002, and from 1998 until 1999 he was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. Amb. Hamilton served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central American, the Caribbean, and Cuba in 1998-1999. He was Director of the Office of Central American and Panamanian Affairs from 1992 until 1996. He was also Political Counselor in San JosŽ, Costa Rica (1989-92) and Lima, Peru (1986-89). Ambassador Hamilton entered the Foreign Service in 1970, serving in Spain, Mexico, and Greece, as well as in Washington, D.C. He has received the Department of State’s Superior Honor Award four times.

OCTOBER 13 SEMINAR ON GLOBAL CORPORATE SECURITY

The World Trade Center and other organizations will hold a luncheon seminar on Wednesday, October 13 at 12:00 noon in the WTC’s Executive Offices in Suite 2900 on "Corporate and Personal Security in the Global Environment" featuring Juan Valadez, a security consultant. (This program was previously scheduled to be held on September 14 but was rescheduled due to Hurricane Ivan.) Mr. Valadez is a Senior Consultant with Clayton Consultants, Inc., a security services company specializing in corporate and private risk assessment and crisis management worldwide. He retired from the Central Intelligence Agency in 1998 as a Senior Intelligence Service Officer after serving 27 years in the Directorate of Operations. To register for the October 13 luncheon, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222, or click here.

COMMERCE OFFICIAL TO SPEAK ON CHINA ON OCTOBER 15

The World Trade Center, New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center, Louisiana Economic Development, and other organizations are sponsoring a luncheon program on Friday, October 15 at the WTC’s Plimsoll Club featuring Mr. Sean King, Special Assistant for China with the U.S. Department of Commerce. He will be speaking on "The China Business Information Center - New Tools to Help American Companies Export to China." Mr. King will discuss market opportunities in China’s fast-growing economy and describe the new China Business Information Center located within the Commerce Department’s U.S. Commercial Service. The Center provides practical information that American exporters can use to enter the Chinese market. To register for the program, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or click here.

OIL/GAS TRADE MISSION TO SOUTHEAST ASIA

The U.S. Commercial Service will lead an oil and gas equipment and services trade mission to Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam on December 6-14. Pre-screened business appointments, strategic meetings with government and industry decision makers, plus market briefings and ground support from the local U.S. Embassies will position the participating U.S. firms to maximize opportunities in Asia’s fast-growing oil and gas sector markets. Participants will also benefit from a bonus company promotion at the USA Pavilion at Offshore South East Asia 2004, the leading oil and gas trade show for the Asia/Pacific region. The $3,500 registration fee does not include airfare or lodging. For details, contact Matthew Wright, Project Manager at the U.S. Department of Commerce, by phone at (207) 482-2567 or via e-mail: Matthew.Wright@mail.doc.gov

UPDATE ON TRADE WITH LIBYA

On September 20, President Bush issued a determination waiving certain prohibitions on U.S. trade with Libya. Americans should bear in mind that exports of some goods, services, and technologies from the United States to Libya still remain restricted and may require an export license from the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (www.bis.doc.gov). To view the White House press release, log on to: www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/09/20040920-3.html.

NEW CONSULAR CORPS BULLETIN

The City of New Orleans Office of International Relations is pleased to announce the inaugural issue of the Louisiana Consular Bulletin. This newsletter promotes the 52 Consulates in Louisiana by highlighting their accomplishments and providing useful and timely information about the programs and services offered by the countries they represent. The newsletter can be viewed on the Protocol and International Relations portion of the City of New Orleans website. The link to the newsletter is https://secure.cityofno.com/Resources/Portal36/consular_bulletin1.pdf and the link to the protocol page is https://secure.cityofno.com/portal.aspx?portal=36&tabid=14.

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN HEALTHCARE TRADE EVENT

Participate in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s "Access Eastern Mediterranean Healthcare Program" in February 2005, and reach hundreds of potential distributors, agents, and strategic alliance partners in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and the West Bank/Gaza. Targeted sectors include medical, dental and clinical laboratory equipment/supplies, diagnostics, and healthcare services. The healthcare market in these countries is fast-growing and very attractive for the world’s hospital equipment and service companies.

The program offers:

• Product promotion by Commercial Specialists with a partner/customer search, tailored to the U.S. firm’s objectives
• Hundreds of local contacts
• U.S. company’s products/services featured on the "Access Eastern Mediterranean" website for one month.
• Additional promotion at "Arab Health" in Dubai, the leading show in the region.
• Coordinated results report of vetted local companies interested in representing the U.S. company.
• Follow-on Gold Keys and Company Profiles within six months at 50% of the normal fee.

The participation fee is $1,000 per company, with an option to participate in a catalog show at the BioAnaliza event in Israel for only $200 more. For details, log on to: www.buyusa.gov/easternmed/healthcare.html. Market briefings for each of the six countries are available at: www.buyusa.gov/easternmed/healthmarketbrief.html.

CANADIAN WITHHOLDING TAX

Canada’s Withholding Tax regulations recently caught some U.S. companies by surprise when payments from Canadian customers were of lesser amounts than what the U.S. firms had expected. For a three-page report describing the tax, which includes advice on how to avoid the deduction, call the U.S. Export Assistance Center in New Orleans at (504) 589-6546 or in Shreveport at (318) 676-3064.

CHINA BUSINESS INFORMATION CENTER

China is a region of great opportunity for all types and sizes of companies, but doing business with the country can be challenging. A website launched by the U.S. Commercial Service (www.export.gov/china/) provides information on China published by federal and state government agencies, associations, and private sector entities. (Note: Also see article on October 15 luncheon program on China.)

COMMERCIAL SERVICE LAUNCHES AMERICAS WEBSITE

The new website (www.buyusa.gov/americas/) consolidates the resources of U.S. Commercial Service offices in 21 markets throughout Central and South America, providing a single point of access to existing and proposed free trade agreements, market research, best prospects, trade event lists, business service providers, useful links, key contacts, "The Americas Update" newsletter, and other information.

INDUSTRY MARKET REPORTS

The following is a list of recent industry reports prepared by Commercial Service staff at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. 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: Embraer Breaks Ground on U.S. Assembly Facility

Canada: $190 Million Luxury Hotel in Vancouver

Canada: Quebec’s Manufacturing Sector: Fast-growing Market for Industrial Equipment

Canada: U.S. Franchises in Canada

China: Removal of Semiconductor Value Added Tax Rebate

Egypt: Customs Fees and Tariff Adjustments

Indonesia: Government to Build a New Seaport in Jakarta

Indonesia: Medical Lab Equipment Exhibition in Medan

Japan: Catalog Show at Tokyo Home and Building Show

Mexico: Seaport of Tampico

New Zealand: Air Quality and Landfill Gas - New Environmental Standards

Panama: Hotel and Restaurant Equipment Market

Saudi Arabia: Upcoming Opportunities in the Aviation Sector

Spain: Shopping Centers Sector

Sri Lanka: Oil Exploration Opportunities

United Kingdom: Maternity Wear Market in the U.K.

Uruguay: Tender for Pharmaceutical and Medical Supplies

TRADE FINANCING SEMINAR AT WTC OCTOBER 28-29

Bank One and the World Trade Center are sponsoring a two-day seminar at the WTC in New Orleans on October 28 and 29 on "The Secrets of Successful Trade Financing" conducted by Chip Thomas, President of the American Export Training Institute. This seminar is for anyone responsible for international trade financing, including CEO’s, CFO’s, International Sales and Marketing Executives, Export Managers, Controllers, Accountants, Finance Officers and Credit Managers. The seminar will cover international payment terms, sales and marketing issues, logistics in coordination with finance, financing methods, credit evaluation, and risk mitigation, all from the perspective of a practitioner. Case studies and extensive discussion help attendees thoroughly understand each concept. Participants are welcome to bring specific examples to review. To register, go on-line at www.exportrisk.com or call Carey Fiertz at AETI/Export Risk Management at (860) 435-0430.

SAFETY/SECURITY TRADE MISSION TO VANCOUVER

The U.S. Commercial Service invites qualified U.S. firms to participate in the "Explore British Columbia Safety and Security Trade Mission" on November 18-19 in Vancouver, Canada. The event is an excellent venue to showcase security products and services to key decision makers for the 2010 Winter Olympics to be held in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia. The fee for one company representative is US$1250; each additional representative per company is $US250. Call the U.S. Export Assistance Center in New Orleans at (504) 589-6546 for more information. Program activities include:

• Luncheon with briefings with Royal Canadian Mounted Police officials leading the 2010 security team and a Canadian Homeland Security official on security needs.

• Tabletop exhibits showcasing products to Canadian distributors, agents and end-users of security products

• Networking reception with key security contacts at the Consul General’s residence

• Presentation of Vancouver Port facility and security needs

• Travel by bus to Whistler for a 2010 Olympics presentation and village tour.

CARIBBEAN BASIN CONFERENCE IN MIAMI

The 28th Miami Conference on the Caribbean Basin, "An Integrated Third Border," will focus attention on regional integration efforts in the Caribbean and Central America and their impact on investment and economic development. The December 6-8 conference will also focus special attention on disaster preparedness in the Third Border and the effects of recent natural disasters on the region’s economic growth and competitiveness.

Against the backdrop of a U.S. Presidential election, the Conference will address issues such as the implementation of the proposed U.S. & Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA); the future of the FTAA negotiations; the Caribbean Single Market & Economy (CSME) and its relevance to the Caribbean’s competitiveness; as well as the effects of international security measures on trade, investment and tourism in the Caribbean Basin. Confirmed speakers include Prime Minister Patrick Manning of Trinidad & Tobago, Prime Minister P. J. Patterson of Jamaica, Prime Minister Gerard Latortue of Haiti, Enrique Iglesias, President of the Inter-American Development Bank and Harry Brautigam, President of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration.

The conference will be held at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Miami. Register online at www.c-caa.org. If you have any questions, contact CCAA at 202-466-7464 x 28.

LOCAL RADIO PROGRAM ON INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Biz Radio 990 AM now broadcasts a weekly radio program entitled "Biz International" hosted by Corrado Giacona II, Chairman of the International Business Committee of the World Trade Center and President & CEO of Giacona Container Company. Biz International brings interesting news, interviews, and opportunities to the airwaves on Louisiana international trade, investment, transportation, banking, and other trade-related issues. The program airs every Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. All shows are archived on the Biz New Orleans website at http://bizneworleans.com/510.html, so you can listen to any previous archived program at your convenience.

INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION IN BATON ROUGE OCTOBER 17

The Baton Rouge Center for World Affairs will hold its annual International Heritage Celebration at the Baton Rouge River Center (Centroplex) in downtown Baton Rouge on Sunday, October 17 from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to join the colorful Parade of Nations at 3:00 p.m., one of the highlights of the celebration. Music, food, dance, storytelling, native dress, flags, stage performances and educational booths representing over 50 countries provide a rich insight into the multi-cultural makeup of Baton Rouge. Attendees are encouraged to shop the International Market and dine at the Taste of Nations Food Court. The event is free and open to the public. For more information call Monika Olivier at (225) 930-0901.

BREAKBULK CONFERENCE IN NEW ORLEANS OCTOBER 27-29

The 15th Annual Journal of Commerce Breakbulk Transportation Conference has been rescheduled for October 27 - 29 in New Orleans at the Morial Convention Center. The event date was changed due to Hurricane Ivan.

The event brings together over 1,300 importers, exporters and executives involved in this highly specialized area of the transportation industry. It runs for three days and includes the following topics: "Iraq Logistics: Understanding and Overcoming the Difficulties"; "Breakbulk Under a New ILA Contract"; project information systems; steel; wind energy logistics; regional panels, including West Africa, Eastern Europe, and China; short sea shipping roundtable; case studies on special project cargo; forest products and the trade balance; charter rates; container rates’ effect on breakbulk; and port security initiatives.

The speakers include: U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Norman Y. Mineta; Steven Blust, Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission; Capt. William Schubert, Maritime Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation; David I. Beatson, North American CEO of Panalpina; Jan Boje Steffans, Chief Executive Officer of Rickmers-Linie; Dr. Jurgen Sorgenfrei, Chairman of the Port of Hamburg; Gary P. LaGrange, CEO of the Port of New Orleans; and Gregory Rusovich, CEO of Transoceanic Shipping Company. For information or to register on-line, visit http://www.joc.com/conferences/breakbulk/. If you have any questions about the Breakbulk Conference, contact Renee Jacobs at rjacobs@joc.com or Janet Plume at jplume@joc.com. Exhibitors and sponsors may contact Yvonne Berry at yberry@joc.com.

U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND FEDERAL EXPRESS PARTNERSHIP

The Commerce Department’s U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) has partnered with Federal Express (FedEx) to provide ongoing support to Commercial Service efforts aimed at boosting exports from U.S. small and medium-size businesses. According to the agreement, FedEx will inform its customers about the benefits of the USCS worldwide export assistance network of 108 domestic offices and 149 posts in 78 countries that provide export assistance. The agreement includes linking the USCS www.BuyUSA.com and FedEx web sites and will include joint export promotion activities. For details on the partnership, call the U.S. Department of Commerce at (202) 482-3809 or FedEx at (901) 508-2077.

PORTUGAL: COMMERCIAL MARKET OF THE MONTH

Portugal is the featured "market on the month" on the Commercial Services’ website. In 2003, the U.S. Commercial Service helped U.S. companies export nearly $14 million of goods and services to Portugal. Best prospects for U.S. exports include: Telecommunications Equipment, Computers/Software/Peripherals, Pollution Control Equipment, Medical Equipment, Energy Services, Franchising, and Defense Services. For the complete feature story and to learn more about exporting to Portugal visit: www.export.gov/comm_svc/press_room/marketofthemonth/portugal/portugal.html.