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A monthly partnership publication of
the Louisiana Department of Economic Development
the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center
and the World Trade Center of New Orleans |
Past Issues |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez visited New
Orleans on April 28 to meet with business leaders at the World Trade
Center to discuss the new Security and Prosperity Partnership of North
America (SPP) and to deliver an address at the Port of New Orleans
highlighting the benefits to Louisiana and the U.S. of the Dominican
Republic and Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA).
On March 23, President Bush, Prime Minister Martin of Canada, and
President Fox of Mexico launched the SPP initiative to develop new avenues
of cooperation that will make North America's open societies safer and
more secure, its businesses more competitive, and its economies more
resilient. They agreed to ambitious security and prosperity agendas. The
prosperity agenda covers a wide range of issues, including manufactured
goods, e-commerce and information technologies communications, energy,
transportation, food and agriculture, environment, rules of origin,
financial services, and business facilitation. To this end, working groups
were established to undertake the work envisioned in the SPP. Details
about the important SPP initiative can be found at www.spp.gov.
In his CAFTA address, Secretary Gutierrez cited the Port of New
Orleans' 450,000 tons of cargo with the Central American countries that
was handled last year and the opportunities for the future. He noted that
80 percent of the imports from Central America already come into the U.S.
duty free and that CAFTA levels the relationship, giving American domestic
companies broader access to Central America and the Dominican Republic. It
would create the second-largest U.S. export market in Latin America. The
CAFTA market is already a larger export market than India, Russia, and
Indonesia combined, he stated. The U.S. already trades more with Central
America and the Dominican Republic than with Australia, and more than with
Brazil.
Secretary Gutierrez also said that many U.S. and Louisiana
manufacturers would gain immediate duty-free access to the DR-CAFTA
market: information technology, farm and construction equipment, paper
products, medical and scientific equipment, and pharmaceuticals. He said
the U.S. Chamber of Commerce predicts that U.S. sales to the region could
expand by more that $3 billion in the first year, and the American Farm
Bureau estimates that U.S. farm products could grow by $1.5 billion a
year. The full text of Secretary Gutierrez's address can be accessed
by clicking here.
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| The World Trade Center, in conjunction with the Trade
Capacity Building Institute, the City of New Orleans, and the LSU Law
Center, is holding a special luncheon program on "Doing Business in
Argentina" at the Plimsoll Club at 12:00 Noon on Friday, May 6
featuring a 13-member business delegation from Argentina. The delegation
is comprised of professional lawyers working in the private sector,
government, and academia seeking to learn about the legal aspects of doing
business with Louisiana and the U.S. The keynote speakers are Dr.
Allesandra Minnicelli, Vice Comptroller General of Argentina and Dr. Susy
Ines Bello Kerall, Director of the Business Law Program at Astral
University. The visitors also are eager to learn about and discuss
business opportunities in Louisiana. This program offers excellent
networking for all participants. For details, call the WTC at (504)
529-1601, ext. 222 or 271 or click here.
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| The World Trade Center, Louisiana Economic Development, and
the Port of New Orleans are sponsoring a seminar on Tuesday, May 10 from
12:00 Noon to 2:00 p.m. (with a light lunch served at 11:30 a.m.) in the
WTC's 29th floor Board Room on "Using INCOTERMS Correctly"
conducted by Ruperto Chavarri, Program Director of the Louisiana
International Trade Center/SBDC, and Eugene J. Schreiber, Managing
Director of the WTC. (Two CLE credit hours for attorneys have been
requested from the Louisiana State Bar Association.)
INCOTERMS, which are issued by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC),
are the most commonly used trade terms in international sales contracts.
They are shorthand definitions of the respective rights and
responsibilities of sellers and buyers in their sales contracts. Although
the ICC is not a government, the INCOTERMS are recognized globally by
courts, governments, banks, and other authorities and are used by most
companies throughout the world that are successfully engaged in exporting
and importing.
Some of these 13 terms are well known (such as EXW, FOB, FAS, CIF, and
DDP), but many exporters and importers do not fully understand their
meaning and importance. The latest INCOTERMS were revised and updated for
incorporation into international sales contracts starting on January 1,
2000. INCOTERMS are essential in determining: (1) which party (the buyer
or seller) assumes the risk of loss at any given point during the
transaction; (2) which party pays for the various costs associated with
delivery; (3) the point of obligation of the buyer to pay; and (4) the
dutiable value under U.S. law and the customs laws of most foreign
countries. To register for the program, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601,
ext. 222 or click here.
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| An alliance of organizations in Louisiana, Mississippi,
Alabama, and Northwest Florida are joining together to hold the 2005 Gulf
Coast States World Trade Conference on May 25-26 at the Plimsoll Club of
the World Trade Center in New Orleans. The event will commence with a
Welcoming Jazz Reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25.
The following day's program will start with a welcome by Donald Pierson,
Assistant Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, and a presentation
on "Current U.S. Trade Policy Issues and Their Impact on the Gulf
South" by Mark Smith, Managing Director for Western Hemisphere
Affairs, U. S. Chamber of Commerce. The agenda also includes panel
discussions on Canada and Brazil featuring Thomas Boam, Minister Counselor
for Commercial Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa; Bob Armstrong,
Senior Vice President, PBB Global Logistics in Toronto, and Vice Chairman,
Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters; and Frank Carrico,
Principal Commercial Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Sao Paulo;
and other speakers. The keynote luncheon speaker is Hon. Rhonda Keenum,
Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the U.S. and
Foreign Commercial Service. An afternoon panel of directors of the ports
along the Gulf will address the topic "Port Perspectives on
International Trade" and will be moderated by Gary LaGrange,
President and CEO of the Port of New Orleans and current Chairman of the
Association of American Port Authorities. The final session will be a
roundtable discussion on "Gulf States International Issues and Areas
of Cooperation" moderated by Carol Conway, Deputy Director of the
Southern Growth Policies Board. A closing wine and cheese reception will
allow all conference participants to meet the speakers and network with
other participants. Additional information about the conference is
available by calling the World Trade Center at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222,
or by clicking here.
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| Louisiana Economic Development is planning a follow-up
trade mission to Cuba in July to Governor Blanco's trip in March, which
resulted in a $15-million commitment for the purchase of Louisiana agri-food
products. It also generated over $3 million in actual sales. The July
mission will attempt to fill the remaining balance of the commitment from
ALIMPORT, the Cuban government agency in charge of purchasing agriculture,
food, and lumber products. Louisiana companies dealing with these products
that are interested in Cuba's market possibilities should contact Felipe
Martinez with Louisiana Economic Development at (225) 342-5883 or martinez@la.gov.
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The New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center often
receives inquiries regarding the safety of overseas travel. Travel
advisories are issued by the U.S. State Department via Travel Warnings,
Consular Information Sheets, and Public Announcements. Following are
highlights of each, but for the latest information travelers are
encouraged to log on to http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html.
- Travel Warnings are issued whenever the State Department believes it
necessary, based on all relevant information, to recommend that
Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Countries where avoidance
of travel is recommended will have Travel Warnings as well as Consular
Information Sheets.
- Consular Information Sheets are available for every country of the
world. They include information on locations of U.S. embassies or
consulates, unusual immigration practices, health conditions, minor
political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime
and security information, and drug penalties.
- Public Announcements are issued to disseminate information about
terrorist threats and other relatively short-term and/or
trans-national conditions posing significant risks to the security of
American travelers.
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| The renewal fee of an adult U.S. passport was recently
increased to $67. Rates for first-time applicants (or those unable to
present their most recently issued passport) rose to $97. U.S. passports
for persons under the age of 16 is now $82. The rate hike includes a $12
surcharge to cover costs associated with the redesigning of the passport,
including a security chip that makes the document more secure. Complete
passport information is available at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.
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| Business leaders and current and former elected officials
from throughout the South will gather on June 10-11 to attend the 2005
National Summit on Cuba in Mobile, Alabama. Special presentations will be
made on U.S. Cuba policy's economic impact on the American South. Speakers
include Alabama Secretary of Agriculture Ron Sparks; Louisiana Secretary
of Economic Development Michael Olivier, who recently traveled to Cuba
with Governor Kathleen Blanco; and U.S. Representatives Jo Bonner (R-AL)
and Jeff Flake (R-AZ).
Co-sponsors include the City of Mobile, Alabama State Port Authority,
the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Coalition (which includes local
chambers of commerce from Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Mississippi, Mobile
and Pensacola), the Port of Corpus Christi, AlaCaribe Initiative and
Tampa-based A.R. Savage & Sons shipping. The World Policy Institute at
New School University in New York is the coordinating co-sponsor of all
National Summit on Cuba events.
A second day of programming at Mobile's historic Spring Hill College
will explore the human dimensions of U.S.- Cuba relations, starting with
morning panels on religion in Cuba and how politics impacts the free
exchange and expression of faith. Afternoon panels will present experts on
the history of relations between the U.S. South and Cuba. Complete
information on the National Summit on Cuba events can be found at www.nationalsummitoncuba.org.
For more information call John Loggia at the World Policy Institute at
(212) 229-5953 or e-mail cubaed@newschool.edu.
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| Louisiana lost an outstanding public figure and passionate
supporter of international trade, transportation, economic development,
and many other areas for over 37 years with the recent passing of state
Senator John J. Hainkel, Jr. As a member of the Louisiana House of
Representatives and Speaker of the House (1980-1984), and later as a
Senator and President of the Senate (2000-2004), John Hainkel was a
dynamic community and state leader and will be deeply missed.
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| The U.S. Commercial Service and the U.S. Foreign
Agricultural Service are organizing a client-tailored "Processed
Foods and Equipment Catalog Show for the Palestinian and Arab-Israeli
Markets" on June 20-22. The event will takes place in Bethlehem and
Ramallah in the West Bank, and Nazareth, Israel. The show offers a
low-cost and effective way for American firms to evaluate interest in
their products in this area of the world. After the show, participants
will receive a complete list of potential partners who have expressed
interest in the American company. Registration for this event closes on
June 6; the cost is $250. Go online at www.buyusa.gov/westbank.en/food.html
or email Commercial Specialist Assad Barsoum at: assad.barsoum@mail.doc.gov
for details.
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| The U.S. Commercial Service at the American Embassy in Tel
Aviv is working hard on behalf of U.S. companies that may have
experienced, or are experiencing "non-tariff trade barriers" in
Israel. Besides fielding individual cases as they arise, the Commercial
Service has created two multilateral bodies in order to find solutions to
ongoing issues and problems.
U.S. firms, or any authorized Israeli representative of a U.S. firm
that has had or is currently having technical standards certification,
regulatory, intellectual property rights or tendering issues that may be
impeding sales of products or services in Israel, or are experiencing a
situation that is interfering with successful bidding on Israeli
government tenders should contact either of the following American Embassy
staffers:
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| The Certification and Accreditation Administration of China
(CNCA) released a list of products that as of April 1 became exempt from
compulsory certification and labeling known as the CCC mark. Products
exempt from compulsory certification include those for scientific research
and testing, for maintenance and repair of end-use equipment, for
equipment and parts used in production lines, for exhibition, or for
export processing. Products exempt from both compulsory certification and
labeling requirements include imports by diplomatic missions and foreign
visitors for self-use and those as parts of foreign government aid and
grant programs. Also, CNCA issued a bulletin announcing the cancellation
of the registration requirement for agents for compulsory certification
application. Details are at www.cnca.gov.
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| May 12 - "Sudan: Can the Genocide in Darfur Be Haulted?"
An eye witness report by Sir Eldon Griffths, journalist, former MP and
international business consultant. For details, call (504) 523-2201 or
register online at www.wacno.org.
June 9 - "Al-Qaeda: A View from the Inside," featuring John
Cloonan, security consultant and former FBI agent. Details will be
announced at www.wacno.org.
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| On April 1, 1980, the U.S. State Department transferred all
commercial activities to the U.S. Department of Commerce, creating the
Foreign Commercial Service (FCS). A year later, domestic offices were
added to FCS, creating the U.S. & Foreign Commercial (US&FCS)
Service. Today, US&FCS, otherwise referred to as the U.S. Commercial
Service (CS), has 107 U.S. Export Assistance Centers throughout the
country and more than 150 offices in U.S. embassies and consulates
worldwide. In 2004, the CS facilitated over $23 billion in U.S. exports
and conducted nearly 150,000 counseling sessions with American firms.
Exports increase American jobs, and companies that export pay higher wages
than those that do not. The U.S. Commercial Service has played and will
continue to play a vital role in the growth of U.S. exports.
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| Le Centre International de Lafayette has announced the
appointment of Monique Roberts as its new International Trade Development
Specialist. Ms. Roberts is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at
Lafayette (ULL) with an MBA and a B.A. in Public Relations. She was
previously employed with ULL and completed an internship with the
Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission. The mission of Le Centre
International is to foster an increase in international commerce and
tourism in the Lafayette area. Ms. Roberts can be contacted at (337)
291.5474 or at trade.specialist@lafayettegov.net,
or visit www.lecentre.org.
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| On May 16-20, the Commercial Service of the U.S. Embassy in
Beijing will sponsor the U.S. Pavilion at the 53rd China International
Medical Equipment Fair to promote American goods and services to the
Chinese healthcare market. Although all exhibition booths are now sold out
for this fair, U.S. companies can still have their products/services
represented as part of the event. The Commercial Service (CS) will host a
Catalog Showcase where they will feature promotional material on behalf of
participating American firms. U.S. participants will receive contact
information for those buyers/distributors who expressed interest in the
American firm's product. Fee for the Catalog Showcase is USD 100. For more
information, send an email to: zheng.xu@mail.doc.gov.
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| When a product enters the U.S. and there is a concern as to
the appropriate classification code, a ruling is made in CROSS. These
rulings can also be used as a cross reference to Schedule B codes or
Harmonized Tariff Schedule numbers. A search can be done by keyword, or by
clicking on "Downloadable Rulings." The website (http://rulings.customs.gov/)
also contains links to other useful trade information, such as the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule, U.S. Customs Bulletins, and the Customs
Valuation Encyclopedia.
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| Starting June 1, Chile will implement new regulations
regarding imports of wood packaging materials. All wooden materials,
including pallets and other wood packaging materials, will have to be
treated with a special fumigation and require a specific mark to be
allowed into Chile.
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The Louisiana International Trade Bulletin is a monthly
partnership publication of the:
Louisiana Department of Economic Development
New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center
World Trade Center of New Orleans
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