COMMERCE REDUCES FEES FOR STORM-AFFECTED EXPORTERS

“With 95% of the world’s consumers outside of the United States, we must ensure that businesses affected by these major hurricane disasters can continue selling internationally, “ said Israel Hernandez, Assistant Secretary for Trade Promotion and Director General of the USFCS. “The Bush Administration is committed to giving the businesses all the tools needed to help them expand their export sales.”

The reduced fees will remain available until all funds reserved for the program have been spent. For U.S. companies that produce goods or services in U.S. Declared Hurricane Major Disaster Areas, the USFCS International Partner Search, International Company Profile and Gold Key Service fees will remain at 50% of the usual cost:

• The Gold Key Service (GKS) is a matchmaking service provided by all commercial sections of the USFCS at U.S. embassies and consulates in more than 80 countries. It brings together U.S. exporters and potential foreign business partners.
   
• The International Partner Search (IPS) locates qualified foreign distributors and agents and provides listings to the requesting U.S. company.
   
• The International Company Profile (ICP) conducts background checks and provides American firms with information on the good standing of potential foreign business partners.

In addition, the cost of Commercial Service trade missions will remain discounted to an amount equal to 50% of the aggregate cost of a one-day Gold Key Service in each of the mission stops. Firms participating in this program may receive no more than one each of the following at the reduced cost: IPS, ICP, and trade missions. Companies may receive no more than three GKSs at the reduced cost.

With its network of offices across the U.S. and in more than 80 countries, the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. In 2005, the U.S. Commercial Service helped generate nearly 12,500 export successes worth billions of dollars in U.S. export sales.

Currently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has designated U.S.-Declared Hurricane Major Disaster Areas in parts of six states, including North Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas and Louisiana. Over 50 U.S. businesses in affected areas have taken advantage of this program since it was first offered in March of 2006. To find your nearest U.S. Export Assistance Center, visit www.export.gov.

FRENCH AMERICAN CHAMBER ANNUAL DINNER ON JANUARY 18

EXPORT-IMPORT LUNCHEON WORKSHOP ON JANUARY 19

WTC SPRING LANGUAGE CLASSES TO BEGIN JANUARY 22

JANUARY 24 FORUM ON SOUTH LOUISIANA PLANNING PROCESS

The January 24 program is part of a three-week-long series of community forums to be held around the state by Louisiana Speaks (www.louisianaspeaks.org), a multifaceted planning process that is working toward the development of a sustainable, long-term vision for South Louisiana. This work combines the efforts of local, state, and federal partners, along with many experts, stakeholders and citizens into a comprehensive approach.

Louisiana Speaks addresses issues that concern every person in South Louisiana related to better access to good jobs, safe housing, education, and way of life. The area's wetlands and levees cross parish lines, and along with highways, railways, and waterways, they create a network that connects the entire region.

For additional information and to register for the January 24 luncheon program, click here, or call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222.

UPCOMING WAC/N.O. EVENTS

February 1 - PubNite from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Location TBA.

February 1 - 4 - “Bridging the Desert: The Middle East in the Next Decade,” 2007 National Conference of the World Affairs Councils of America, Washington, D.C. For details, see the December 2006 newsletter on the WAC/N.O. website at www.wacno.org or access www.worldaffairscouncils.org.

J. DWIGHT LEBLANC, JR. ELECTED 2007 WTC PRESIDENT

Other WTC officers elected for 2007 are: Chairman - Charles W. Nelson (Waldemar S. Nelson & Co.); President-elect Ronnie Kole, Morrow Management, Inc.; Vice Presidents - Leon R. Fulton, Fulton, Johnson, Newman & Pittman Insurance Agency; Ray Liuzza, Holiday Inn Select; Constance C. Willems, McGlinchey Law Firm; Treasurer, Bobby Brannon, Ochsner Clinic Foundation; Secretary, Philip Lorio, III, Deutsch Kerrigan & Stiles, LLP; and Managing Director for Trade, Eugene J. Schreiber.

New Directors elected to the WTC Board are: Manuel F. Blanco, Atlantis International; Boyd R. Boudreaux, Fidelity Homestead Association; Tracie L. Boutte, Entergy New Orleans, Inc.; Troy A. Carter, Policy & Planning Partners, LLC; Dennis Crawford, 1st Financial Resources; Paul S. Graffeo, Professional Security Training, Inc.; Jim Hoskins, Harrah’s New Orleans Casino; Scott P. Howard, Regions Bank; R. Andrew Jardine, Smith Barney, Inc.; David W. Kearney, The Kearney Companies; Thomas Kitchen, Stewart Enterprises; Fred H. Myers, F. H. Myers Construction; John T. Nesser, III, McDermott International, Inc.; John Sauger, The Shaw Group; Diane Schexnayder, W. R. Zanes & Co. of Louisiana, Inc.; James E. Szeszycki, Hotard Coaches; and Jan Tanner, Capital One.

2007 LOUISIANA INTERNATIONAL TRADE DIRECTORY

OPEN HOUSE AT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF LOUISIANA

MOBILE CHAMBER BRIEFING ON DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

FEBRUARY 8 INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK SEMINAR

The IDB Business Seminars are a unique opportunity to meet project specialists and hear them describe a variety of operations being financed by the Bank in the region, as well as identifying consulting and equipment needs. The February 8 seminar also offers an excellent networking opportunity, with other firms attending the seminar. The registration fee of $225 includes a breakfast and lunch, seminar sessions, publications, and a briefing folder. A special price is available for international organizations and government employees. For more information on this program and to register, go to www.iadb.org/biz. 

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY FOR PANAMA CANAL EXPANSION

MEXICO TO BUILD LNG FACILITIES IN MANZANILLO

PROJECTS IN MALI PRESENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOUISIANA

American companies doing business in Mali, including those in Louisiana, stand to benefit. The Baton Rouge-based Schaffer Global Group pioneered the way for U.S. companies willing to take a risk in investing in Mali when it brought its technology, know-how and capital to the Segou region of Mali in the late-1990s. In 2003 and 2004, Schaffer conducted reverse trade missions for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, including a personal visit by the Minister throughout Louisiana. The Minister was introduced to cogeneration from biomass in the rice sector, aquaculture, sugarcane varieties; toured the port facilities in New Orleans; and participated in community outreach programs conducted by Southern University.

With the development assistance of other U.S. government agencies, Schaffer embarked on a multi-year agricultural and sugarcane variety testing program and is now in the final stages of launching the Markala Sugar Project. At completion, the project is slated to create some 8,000 direct jobs, produce nearly 200,000 tons of sugar, generate over 30 megawatts of power and enough ethanol to replace up to 10% of the country’s imports of crude oil.

The MCC grant will provide numerous opportunities for American companies to collaborate with Malian partners, ranging from new agro-industrial schemes on 30,000 acres of land to providing professional services and equipment for the development of the airport and industrial parks. This, in turn, could have positive ramifications for additional Louisiana companies. For more information about the business opportunities in Mali, contact Geralyn Contini, CEO of the Schaffer Global Group, at (225) 343-9262 or via e-mail at gcontini@fcschaffer.com.

INDIA HOLDS OPPORTUNITIES FOR U.S. EXPORTERS