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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
- LOUISIANA
TRADE MISSION TO SCOTLAND SEPTEMBER 5-10
- LOUISIANA
PREPARING FOR CAFTA IMPLEMENTATION
- SBA
WORKSHOP ON FINANCING EXPORTS TO THE CAFTA REGION
- WTC FALL LANGUAGE
CLASSES TO BEGIN SEPT. 12
- PORT OF SOUTH
LOUISIANA DEDICATES NEW FACILITY
- BIZ INTERNATIONAL
RADIO SHOW AIRS ON TUESDAYS
- JETRO TO
ASSIST COMPANIES AT CONFERENCE IN JAPAN
- PROJECT QATAR 2005
- AZUCAR BALL
- U.S. WORLDWIDE
BUSINESS VISA CENTER LAUNCHED
- BIS PUBLICATION
DETAILS EXPORT CONTROL LAWS
- U.S. CATALOG SHOW AT
ISRAEL FRANCHISE FAIR
- NEW SERVICE
ADVISES OF FOREIGN REGULATION CHANGES
- UPCOMING EVENT OF WORLD
AFFAIRS COUNCIL
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Louisiana Economic Development, in cooperation with Lafayette Economic
Development Authority and Entergy, is organizing a trade mission to
participate in Offshore Europe. OE is the new name for Offshore Europe (www.offshore-europe.co.uk),
the eastern hemisphere's largest E&P event. With a record of
accomplishment of over 30 years, OE has proven itself one of the most
influential, vibrant, and significant events on the petroleum industry
calendar. Over 26,000 key industry personnel are expected to visit
Aberdeen, Scotland over four exciting days to enjoy the exhibition and the
high-level free-of-charge conference. Last year, confirmed contracts
totaling more than $325 million were announced or signed at the show.
International visitors are expected from more than 100 countries.
The Louisiana Pavilion is a 57 square-meter booth with exhibition space
for six companies and a private meeting room with a storage area.
Participation as an exhibitor or a non-exhibitor is available but limited,
and is available on a first-come basis. For more information, contact
Rebekah Robertson, Louisiana Economic Development, at (225) 342-4318
e-mail: rrobertson@la.gov or Delilah DeSouza, New Orleans U.S. Export
Assistance Center, at (504) 915-3301 or email: Delilah.desouza@mail.doc.gov.
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On August 2 President Bush signed the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central
America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), which was previously approved by the
U.S. House of Representatives on July 28 by a vote of 217-215 and by the
Senate on June 30 by a margin of 56-44. The agreement has now been
formally ratified by the U.S., El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras and is
expected to be submitted soon to the Congresses of Costa Rica, the
Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua for their final approval.
When implemented in the coming months by the participating countries,
CAFTA will eliminate tariffs and other trade barriers and expand regional
opportunities for the manufacturers, workers, consumers, farmers,
ranchers, and service providers of those countries. The five Central
American countries and the Dominican Republic already enjoy duty-free
access into the United States for approximately 80% of their exports (99%
for agricultural products) under the Caribbean Basin Initiative and other
unilateral preference programs, while U.S. goods exported to those
countries face significant tariffs and other barriers.
The CAFTA agreement will rectify this imbalance and open up the CAFTA
markets to U.S. goods, services, and farm products. The tariffs on more
than 80% of U.S. exports of consumer and industrial products and 50% of
U.S. agricultural products exported to the CAFTA countries will be
duty-free immediately upon implementation of the agreement, with most
remaining duties phased out over 10 years (up to 15-20 years on certain
agricultural products). The best prospects for Louisiana exports to the
CAFTA market include chemicals, plastics, paper, industrial machinery,
transportation equipment, processed food, rice, cotton, soybeans, meat,
and poultry products.
In 2004 the CAFTA region, at nearly $16 billion, ranked as the United
States' 12th largest export market, which was a greater volume of U.S.
export sales than to Russia, India, and Indonesia combined. As for
Louisiana exports, the CAFTA region ranked fifth worldwide with $1.2
billion in 2004. The state's exports to the CAFTA countries were equal in
value to its exports to Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy
combined.
In comparison with other U.S. states, Louisiana was first in
agricultural exports and fourth in total merchandise exports to the CAFTA
countries in 2004 among all states. Broken down by industry, the top
Louisiana exports to the CAFTA market were agricultural products,
processed foods, petroleum and coal, chemicals, paper, machinery, and
transportation equipment.
Louisiana is well-positioned to capitalize on the new opportunities
offered through CAFTA because of the state's proximity to the region and
the longstanding commercial and personal ties with the CAFTA countries,
plus the state's world-connected deepwater port system linked to over 30
Midwestern states via the Mississippi River.
For additional information about CAFTA, visit the website of the U.S.
Department of Commerce at www.ita.doc.gov/cafta
and the U.S. Trade
Representative at www.ustr.gov, or call the World Trade Center at (504
529-1601, ext. 222. In the months ahead the WTC will be working with many
other Louisiana organizations in organizing CAFTA-related promotional
seminars, technical workshops, and other events. For details, visit the
WTC website at www.wtcno.org.
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The World Trade Center, Small Business Administration, and other
organizations will sponsor a luncheon workshop on Wednesday, September 14
in the WTC's 29th-floor Board Room on "Financing Exports to the CAFTA
Region and Other Countries," featuring Rick Schulze, Regional Manager
for International Trade Programs, North Texas Export Assistance Center,
Small Business Administration. (CAFTA refers to the recently-approved
U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement that will,
when implemented in the coming months, eliminate tariffs and other trade
barriers and expand regional opportunities for the manufacturers, workers,
consumers, farmers, ranchers, and service providers of the participating
countries.)
The Small Business Administration's Export Working Capital Program (EWCP)
supports export financing to small businesses when that financing is not
otherwise available on reasonable terms. The program encourages lenders to
offer export working capital loans by guaranteeing repayment of up to $1.5
million or 90 percent of a loan amount, whichever is less. Recently, SBA
entered into a co-guaranty agreement which would allow SBA to offer EWCP
loans up to $2 million with a full 90% guaranty. For smaller financing
needs, the SBA has an expedited loan program called Export Express. The
maximum loan under Export Express is $250,000. This program allows lenders
to use their own forms and make the credit decision without a review by
SBA.
Mr. Schulze has served as Regional Manager for International Trade
Programs, North Texas Export Assistance Center, Small Business
Administration since 1995. As the regional manager, he advises businesses
on financing their international transactions and underwrites trade
finance loan guaranty requests. In 2004, 263 SBA loans to exporters
totaling $75.9 million were made in Mr. Schulze's region resulting in
export sales of $188.5 million.
To register for the September 14 luncheon workshop, call the WTC at
(504) 529-1601, ext. 222, or register online at www.wtcno.org (details to
be posted shortly).
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The World Trade Center's fall session of foreign language classes,
conducted by the faculty of Alpha Tech Communications and held at the WTC,
will start the week of September 12. The emphasis is on business usage and
conversation. The session will last 12 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 $360 ($180 for WTC members and spouses).
Registration and materials cost $60. Free parking in the WTC Garage. Call
Alpha Tech at (504) 454-6554.
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The Port of South Louisiana officially dedicated its new $5.7 million,
72,000-sq. ft. warehouse/transit shed and rail spur designed to
accommodate multiple truck and rail loading dock activities. A
ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at Globalplex Intermodal Terminal in
Reserve on July 13. The new general-purpose warehouse/transit shed,
designed by GSE Associates, Inc., will handle a variety of cargo shipments
for break-bulk and palletized products, such as lumber, wood-pulp, and
paper-liner rolls.
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The Biz International Radio Show airs on Biz 990 AM on Tuesdays from 4:00
until 5:00 p.m. (the show can also be heard live from the Biz Radio
website at www.bizneworleans.com/510.html). Hosted by Corrado Giacona II,
Chair of the World Trade Center's International Business Committee and
President of Giacona Container Company, the show brings international
trade, investment, transportation, banking, and other trade-related issues
to the airwaves. All shows are archived in the Biz website and can be
accessed at any time at www.bizneworleans.com/510.html. Recent shows
include the August 2 show featuring Thomas Westfeldt, President of
Westfeldt Brothers, Inc., a green coffee importing firm, and Honorary
Consul of Sweden. The July 26 show featured David Ware, an attorney who
covered immigration law issues. The July 19 show featured Francis E.
"Hank" Lauricella, General Partner, Lauricella Land Company, who
discussed his involvement over the years with the World Trade, including
as president, and Edward T. Hayes, an attorney with the Saporito Law Firm,
who described how the United States negotiates trade agreements at the
bilateral (such as with Singapore), regional (NAFTA and CAFTA), and
multilateral (World Trade Organization) levels.
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The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) has announced its
association with the CEATEC conference to be held just outside Tokyo from
October 4-6. JETRO is offering to confirm free one-on-one, pre-arranged
business-matching meetings between program participants and Japanese
companies. This direct access to Japanese clients and business partners -
JETRO @ CEATEC 2005 - includes complimentary admission to the CEATEC
conference, interpretation services, and a business meeting booth.
Participants are responsible for travel to and from Japan, room and board.
CEATEC - Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies - is Asia's
largest IT show and will be held in Chiba, Japan at Makuhari Messe. The
conference itself features business networking events focusing on recent
trends and current practices in the Japanese market. Major Japanese firms
will showcase their latest technologies, and panel sessions with Japanese
analysts will discuss distribution networks and market intelligence.
Technology companies in the field of integrated ubiquitous markets that
are looking for distributors, sales representatives, suppliers, and joint
venture partners are encouraged to attend. Targeted industries include
mobile devices; digital consumer electronics; wireless LAN and WiFi; VoIP;
broadband content; network security, biometrics and others.
Go to www.jetro.org/ceatec2005
for a detailed schedule and
registration form. The application deadline is Friday, August 5 and
eligible companies must be looking to expand their business, offer
products in the ICT field, and may not already have a subsidiary in Japan.
Contact Takashi_Nakamizo@jetro.go.jp
- JETRO-Houston's Direc-tor of
Business Development - or telephone him at (713) 654-5204 for more
information.
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The 2nd International Trade Exhibition For Construction Technology,
Building Materials, Equipment and Environmental Technology, "Project
Qatar 2005", provides access to the most lucrative construction
market in the Persian Gulf. Qatar is experiencing unprecedented growth in
all economic sectors. The country is a leading player in the fields of
international business, tourism, and education. Major conferences,
functions, and events are the norm. Petrochemical, gas and power plants,
university campuses, resorts, hotels, houses, hospitals, schools, parks,
roads, and a media complex are all being built, planned, or expanded. The
event will be held in Doha, Qatar on September 18-21. Visit
www.ifpqatar.com for details and registration.
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On Saturday, August 27, the New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation will
host its fifteenth annual fundraiser "The Azucar Ball". Again,
this year, the "Azucar Ball" will be celebrated with a
theme:"Suenos Caribenos:Caribbean Dreams". This black tie affair
will take place in the LaSalle Ballroom at the InterContinental with
non-stop music from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 am by Fredy Omar con su Banda and
Julio y Cesar. There will also be a silent auction.
The recipients of the 2005 Galvez Cut will be Ana Ester and Juan Jorge
Gershanik. The Galvez Cup is awarded each year at the Azucar Ball to a
member of the Hispanic community who has contributed significantly in
helping and improving the community. The proceeds from the "Azucar
Ball" provide much needed monies for the Foundation's scholarship
fund. Last year 24 outstanding Hispanic students were awarded scholarships
from the proceeds of the "Azucar Ball". For ticket information
call Rosa Rodriguez at (504) 523-2600 Ext. 139.
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The U.S. Department of State has announced the opening of the Worldwide
Business Visa Center, effective July 15. This is the Department's latest
step in its ongoing effort to better facilitate the issuance of visas for
legitimate business travelers worldwide. The Business Visa Center provides
assistance to businesses in the U. S. and their partners, customers, and
colleagues around the world. The link to the State Department's
announcement is located at www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/49644.htm.
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The Bureau of Industry and Security/U.S. Department of Commerce has
recently published the latest edition of "Don't Let This Happen to
You", an introduction to U.S. Export Control Law, with real life
recent investigations of export control and antiboycott violations, and
many other topics. To download a free copy of the 48-page booklet, log on
to: www.bis.doc.gov/ComplianceAndEnforcement/Dont_Let_This_Happen_To_You_2005.pdf.
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The U.S. Commercial Service is organizing a catalog display booth for U.S.
firms at the Israel Franchise Fair, September 5-7, in Tel Aviv. U.S.
Embassy Commercial Service staff will be on hand to promote the American
firms' franchises, display product literature, and forward to the
appropriate participant a complete list of business contacts who expressed
interest in the franchise business. The cost is only $400. Additional
information is located at: www.buyusa.gov/israel/en/franchise.html.
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"Notify U.S.", a service of the U.S. Commerce Department and the
National Institute of Standards, is a free, web-based e-mail subscription
service that offers U.S. entities (citizens, industries, organizations) an
opportunity to review and comment on proposed foreign technical
regulations that can affect their businesses and access to international
markets.
Member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are required
under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade to report to the WTO
all proposed technical regulations that could affect trade with other
member countries. The WTO Secretariat distributes this information in the
form of "notifications" to all member countries. Member
countries can review and comment on each other's proposed regulations
while the regulations are still in the draft stage and subject to
revision. In this way, international transparency, international
harmonization of standards, and international free trade are encouraged.
By subscribing to Notify U.S. (http://tsapps.nist.gov/notifyus/data/index/index.cfm),
U.S. entities receive e-mail notifications of drafts or changes to
domestic and foreign technical regulations for manufactured products.
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Wednesday, September 14 - "The Coming Crisis of Globalization &
How to Survive" or "Three Billion New Capitalists: The Great
Shift of Wealth & Power to the East," Clyde Prestowitz, founder
and President of the Economic Strategy Institute. Plimsoll Club, World
Trade Center. Details to be announced. For details, please contact the WAC/NO
office at (504) 523-2201.
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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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