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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 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PROGRAM ON MEXICO TO COVER ENTRY STRATEGIES
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DUTCH
FIRM TO DISCUSS NEW LOUISIANA OFFICE
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CHASE
TO CONDUCT LETTERS OF CREDIT SEMINAR
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ROYAL DUTCH
SHELL TO RECEIVE WTC AWARD
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NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION WEEK PANEL AND LUNCHEON
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JUNE 8
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL ANNUAL DINNER
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WORLD
AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF NEW ORLEANS EVENTS
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WWII MUSEUM
DINNER WITH FORMER CIA DIRECTOR WOOLSEY
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MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE GALA JUNE 15 AT THE CABILDO
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MARQUIS DE LA FAYETTE CELEBRATION CONTINUES
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WTC
SUMMER LANGUAGE CLASSES START ON JUNE 4
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MAY
15 NEW EXPORT LICENSE REQUIREMENTS WEBINAR
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JPMORGAN CHASE RECEIVES EX-IM BUSINESS AWARD
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COAST
GUARD ESTABLISHES MARINER WEBSITE
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AMERICAS
COMPETITIVENESS FORUM IN ATLANTA JUNE 11-12
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WTC AND LED
PUBLISH NEW LOUISIANA OIL & GAS DIRECTORY
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| On Thursday, May 10 the WTC and other organizations will sponsor a
luncheon program in the WTC's 29th-floor Executive Offices on “Update on
Doing Business in Mexico: “What the New Government's Policies Mean for U.S.
Companies.” The featured speaker is Mr. Jay Van Heuven, President of the
North American Trade & Investment Group in Mexico City and a New Orleans
native who has been living and working in Mexico for over 20 years. The
topics of discussion will include current political, economic and social
issues in Mexico under the Calderon administration, as well as specific
trade and investment opportunities for Louisiana companies, especially in
the energy, transportation, forest products, health care, high technology,
and gaming industries.
Mr. van Heuven will also address the requirements and advantages for the
best entry strategies for success in the Mexican market, including setting
up a branch office, tax incentives, labor, transportation, and other issues.
To register on-line for the May 10 luncheon, click
here, or call the WTC at
(504) 529-1601, ext. 222.
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| On Tuesday, May 15, the Honorary Consulate of the Netherlands, the World
Trade Center and other organizations will sponsor a luncheon program at the
WTC's 29th Floor Executive Office featuring Rene Zijlstra, President of
Haskoning, Inc., who will be speaking on “Why We Chose Louisiana for Our
First Office in the United States.”
Royal Haskoning, founded in the Netherlands in 1881, is an independent
consulting firm operating worldwide with 3,200 employees. The firm has
consultancy expertise in engineering, architecture, and environmental
science. It was one of the first Dutch companies to visit New Orleans
post-Katrina to seek new business opportunities, especially in the areas of
flood protection and coastal management.
Royal Haskoning opened its first office in the United States in March
2007 in the New Orleans area through Haskoning, Inc., located in the
Galleria in Metairie. The President of Haskoning, Inc., Mr. Rene Zijlstra,
visited New Orleans on several occasions post-Katrina and participated in
trade missions to New Orleans from the Netherlands. To register on-line for
the May 15 luncheon program, click
here, or call the WTC at
(504) 529-1601, ext. 222.
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| On Wednesday, May 16 the World Trade Center, JP Morgan Chase, and other
organizations will sponsor an expanded luncheon seminar from 11:45 a.m.
until 2:30 p.m. in the WTC’s Executive Offices on “UCP 600 - An Overview Of
The Revised Rules Governing Letters of Credit: A Seminar on the
International Chamber of Commerce Uniform Customs and Practice for
Documentary Credits, Publication 600.” The seminar leader is Kevin Watt,
Trade Risk Manager, JPMorgan Chase Global Trade Services in Chicago.
The information to be presented in the seminar is essential for all
exporters and logistics support firms who deal with commercial, trade
letters of credit. The changes in the new LC rules (which become effective
on July 1, 2007) will impact the timeliness of payment for beneficiaries of
LCs worldwide, and understanding these new rules can yield reduced Days
Sales Outstanding and lower costs for the processing of noncompliant
documents. This program will also be presented in Lafayette on May 17 with
Le Centre International. For details on Lafayette, e-mail Bill Cummins at
bill.c.cummins@jpmchase.com.
To register for the New Orleans seminar, click
here.
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| On Monday, May 21 the World Trade Center and other organizations will
sponsor a special breakfast program at the WTC's Plimsoll Club to present
the WTC’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in International Business
honoring Royal Dutch Shell, which is headquartered in The Hague, The
Netherlands. Accepting the award will be Malcolm Brinded, Executive Director
of Exploration and Production for Royal Dutch Shell. This award is in
recognition of Shell’s significant contributions toward the economic
development of Louisiana and job creation. To register for the May 21
breakfast, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222, or click
here.
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| The World Trade Club of Greater New Orleans will host a panel discussion
and luncheon on Wednesday, May 16 at the World Trade Center in recognition
of National Transportation Week, observed May 14-18.
“New Orleans’ transportation industry is the backbone of the regional
economy,” said Norman Romagosa, president of the World Trade Club. “The Port
of New Orleans alone is responsible for more than 160,000 jobs and $17
billion in spending statewide. Business leaders from every sector of the
economy benefit from the distribution chain and should take the time to
learn more about international trade and commerce within the Port.”
The day’s events begin with an educational panel discussion at 9:00 a.m.
entitled “Comparing Containerized & Break-Bulk Shipping: How Ports &
Terminals in Southeast Louisiana Best Serve Both Modes of Shipping.”
Participants in the discussion include James Farley, manufacturing manager
of Intralox LLC; Robert Keihm, operations manager for Stemcor USA; Jerry
Nagel, president and CEO of Rickmers Line America; David Wilkins, executive
vice president sales and marketing for Coastal Cargo Co.; and Dave Morgan,
senior vice president for Ports America Inc.
At noon, Conrad Appel III, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the
Port of New Orleans, will keynote the National Transportation Week luncheon.
Mr. Appel’s speech will focus on the future of containerized and breakbulk
shipping in southeast Louisiana’s ports and terminals.
The morning panel discussion will be held in the Crescent City Room in
the World Trade Center (Room 1830) and the luncheon will be held in the
Plimsoll Club on the 30th floor. Call (504) 779-5671 for additional
information and to register.
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| On Friday, June 8, the World Affairs Council of New Orleans will host
its Annual Dinner at Commander's Palace Restaurant in New Orleans. The event
will commence with a reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:00
p.m.. The keynote speaker is Dr. Brian Latell, Senior Research Associate at
the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies at the University of
Miami, and adjunct Senior Associate in the Americas Program of the Center
for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. Dr. Latell’s
talk will be based on his book “After Fidel: The Inside Story of Castro’s
Regime and Cuba’s Next Leader.”
Dr. Latell has been a Latin America and Caribbean specialist for more
than four decades and has frequently consulted for U.S. and foreign
government organizations. For 35 years he served in the CIA and the National
Intelligence Council and advised White House and other ranking American
officials and members of Congress on Latin American developments. From
1990-94 he served as National Intelligence Officer for Latin America, the
highest-ranking position for the region in all of the U.S. intelligence
agencies. Before retiring from government service in 1998, he was the
Director of the Center for the Study of Intelligence and chairman of the
editorial board of Studies in Intelligence, the respected journal of the
profession. In addition to “After Fidel,” Dr. Latell is the author of
numerous publications on Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, and foreign intelligence
topics.
The cost for the June 8 dinner is $70 for WAC/N.O. members, and $80 for
non-members. Reservations are by check to the World Affairs Council, 2 Canal
Street, Suite 2323, New Orleans 70130-1507 before May 25th. For additional
information about WAC/N.O. call the WAC/N.O. office at (504) 523-2201 or
visit the website at
www.wacno.org.
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| May 9 - Great Decisions: International Migration in a Globalizing
Economy, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the “Living Room” of Monroe Library,
Loyola University. Facilitator: Marc Rosenblum, Associate Professor,
Department of Political Science at UNO. For WAC/N.O. members only.
June 7 - PubNite from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Bulldog Saloon, 5135
Canal Blvd., Tel. (504) 488-4191.
June 8 - World Affairs Council Annual Dinner: “After Fidel: The Inside
Story of Castro’s Regime and Cuba’s Next Leader,” at Commander's Palace
featuring Dr. Brian Latell, Senior Research Associate at the Institute for
Cuban and Cuban-American Studies at the University of Miami (also see
article on page 2).
For additional information about WAC/N.O. and the programs listed above,
call the WAC/N.O. office at (504) 523-2201 or visit the website at
www.wacno.org.
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| On Tuesday, June 5 the National World War II Museum will host the First
Annual George P. Shultz Forum on World Affairs featuring James Woolsey,
former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, who will speak on
“Energy, Security and the Long War of the 21st Century.” The event will
commence with cocktails at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Woolsey served in key positions under four U.S. Presidents: Director
of Central Intelligence, Ambassador to the Negotiation on Conventional Armed
Forces in Europe, Undersecretary of the Navy, and General Counsel to the
U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services. He currently serves as Co-Chairman
(with former Secretary of State George Shultz) of the Committee on the
Present Danger, Chairman of the Advisory Boards of the Clean Fuels
Foundation and the New Uses Council, and as a Trustee of the Center for
Strategic & International Studies.
For additional information and reservations, call (504) 527-6012, ext.
248 or toll free (877) 813-3329, ext. 248.
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| On Friday, June 15 the French American Chamber of Commerce will host the
Marquis de Lafayette Grand Gala at the Cabildo State Museum in New Orleans
to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Marquis de Lafayette, the
“Hero of Two Worlds”. Gourmet fare will be prepared by award-winning French
and American chefs from New Orleans. Participating restaurants include:
Antoine’s, Bayona, Broussard’s, Galatoire’s, Café Degas, Flaming Torch,
Herbsaint, Upperline, La Boulangerie, La C™te Brasserie, Restaurant Cuvee,
St. James Cheese Company, Vega Tapas Café, La Louisiane Bakery and the
Croissant d’Or. The food will be accompanied by outstanding French wine and
Veuve Clicquot champagne. Musical entertainment will be provided by the
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Tickets cost $120 for French Chamber
members and $150 for non-members. Dress will be cocktail attire with black
tie optional, military mess dress, and period costume. To purchase tickets,
contact the Chamber at info@faccla.com
or call (504) 561-0070. The Hotel Monteleone is offering rooms at a $99 plus
tax special rate for the event night. Hotel reservations can be made by
calling the Monteleone at (800) 217-2033 with the reference “Lafayette
Gala.”
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| The celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of the Marquis de
La Fayette continues in Louisiana. Inaugurated in the City of Lafayette on
January 2, 2007, this yearlong celebration includes some 70 events that will
take place primarily in Lafayette, but also in New Orleans and in France as
well.
Among the upcoming major events are:
- The landing of the French Navy frigate La Fayette, which is expected
to dock at the Port of New Orleans on June 5. A shipboard reception is
planned during the frigate’s visit.
- A gala evening hosted by the French-American Chamber of Commerce in
New Orleans at the State Cabildo Museum on June 15, featuring delicacies
prepared by French and American chefs, and music by members of the
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Call (504) 561-0070 for additional
information.
- Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, General and Marquis de
La Fayette, was born on September 6, 1757 in Chavaniac, Auvergne. On the
250th anniversary of his birth, His Excellency Jean-David Levitte,
Ambassador of France to the United States, will officiate at the opening
of a major exhibition at the Lafayette Natural History Museum and
Planetarium in Lafayette, Louisiana.
- On November 2-4, reenactments will take place at La Belle Journée
Historic Festival in downtown Lafayette.
For additional information, visit
www.marquisdelafayette2007.com, or call (337) 291-5474.
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| On June 4 the World Trade Center will start its summer semester of
language classes coordinated by Multi-Language Solutions, Inc. (MLS).
Classes will be held at the WTC two evenings per week from 6:00 p.m. until
7:30 p.m. Validated parking is available at the WTC/Hilton Garage.
Registration for the June classes starts May 15 and class size is limited,
so early registration is encouraged. The faculty of MLS consists of highly
qualified teachers who are native speakers, as well as a combination of
class materials that range from the normal textbook, to video, audio,
Internet and fun interactive activities. Students can improve their
linguistic skills at a faster rate in small groups and in a fun environment.
Spanish, Italian, English as a Second Language, French, German, Japanese,
and other languages are offered. To obtain more information on the language
classes and other services provided by MLS, call (504) 415-4077 Monday
through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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| The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), a U.S. government agency that
regulates the export and re-export of commercial goods and technologies, is
holding a May 15 export licensing requirements webinar from 1:00 p.m. to
2:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. The agenda includes presentations by Brian
Baker, Office of National Security and Technology Transfer Controls,
Kathleen Barfield and Timothy Mooney, both from the Office of Exporter
Services. The purpose of the webinar is to assist U.S. exports in learning
the necessary steps to determine license requirements according to Export
Administration Regulations. The program will consist of 30 minutes of
presentation, followed by a 30-minute question and answer segment. Although
there is no charge for the webinar, registration is required. To register
and for more information, contact Linda Abbruzzese at Linda.
Abbruzzese@mail.doc.gov or call
(202) 482-60313. Online registration is available at
https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=722K
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| JPMorgan Chase has been named the Small Business Lender of the Year for
2007 by the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) in
recognition of its support of exports by U.S. small businesses to buyers
around the world. One of the most active lenders in the program, JPMorgan
Chase has originated 325 Working Capital Guarantee loan commitments totaling
more than $682 million since the program began in 1988.
In 2006 alone, JPMorgan Chase originated 38 loan commitments totaling
$107 million, with 32 supporting U.S. small businesses. In total, JPMorgan
Chase has provided more than $100 million in Working Capital Guarantee loan
commitments to Louisiana exporters, supporting more than $180 million in
exports. In 2006, JPMorgan Chase originated 11 loan commitments for more
than $24 million to Louisiana businesses. “Ex-Im Bank’s working capital
guarantee, insurance and loan guarantee programs help us finance receivables
and related inventory in ways other banks are not able to do,” said Bill
Cummins, Vice President of Global Trade Services for JPMorgan Chase in New
Orleans. “With its commitment to our programs and its innovative outreach
efforts, JPMorgan Chase has helped Ex-Im Bank fulfill its mission to
strengthen support for small business exports and create and sustain U.S.
job,” said the Chairman and President of the Ex-Im Bank, James H. Lambright.
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| The U.S. Coast Guard has launched a new website to provide merchant
mariners with real-time information on the status of pending mariner
credential applications. Merchant mariners can now check the status of
application packages throughout the verification and approval process by
logging onto
http://homeport.uscg.mil/, clicking on the Merchant Mariners tab and
then clicking on Merchant Mariner Application Status. When application
information is entered, the website will display the information submitted
with the application package and current application status information.
Mariner credentials that have already been issued will be displayed as
“issued” for a 120-day period. Mariners who need additional information
after visiting the website can submit comments and questions on the Coast
Guard website at
www.uscg.mil/global/mail/email.
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U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez will host the inaugural
Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF) on June 11-12 in Atlanta. With the
purpose of enhancing economic prosperity in the region, the ACF will provide
a venue for government ministers from the Western Hemisphere to come
together with leaders from the private sector, academia, and
non-governmental organizations, to explore cutting edge ideas and best
practices in several key areas of competitiveness, including:
- Sparking and sustaining innovation
- Creating solutions in education and workforce development
- Designing successful global supply chain strategies, and
- Fostering small business development and growth
In addition to Secretary Gutierrez, other speakers confirmed to present
at the forum include: Vinton Cerf, Vice President and Chief Internet
Evangelist, Google; H.E. Ana Vilma de Escobar, Vice President, El Salvador;
Hernando de Soto, President, Instituto Libertad y Democracia; and Hon.
Margaret Spellings, U.S. Secretary of Education.
The Forum is a direct result of President Bush's recommendation to meet
with leaders from each of the hemisphere's 33 countries to discuss improving
the region's competitiveness. To register online and for additional
information visit
http://trade.gov/competitiveness/acf/registration.asp. For answers
to specific questions e-mail
ACF@mail.doc.gov or call 1-800-USA-TRADE.
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| The World Trade Center, in conjunction with Louisiana Economic
Development, has published a new oil and gas directory of Louisiana
companies and organizations that includes over 800 listings for 37
categories. The purpose of the directory is to promote Louisiana’s oil and
gas sector domestically and abroad to increase commerce and business
investments in the state. The directory is posted on the World Trade
Center’s website at www.wtcno.org and
available to download at no charge. To create or update a free listing in
the directory for an energy-related company or organization in Louisiana,
visit
www.wtcno.org/oil-gas/oil-gas.htm.
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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
Information in the Bulletin is gathered from sources
considered to be reliable, but the completeness and accuracy of the information
cannot be guaranteed.
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