LOUISIANA INTERNATIONAL
TRADE BULLETIN

OCT. 23 CONFERENCE ON GLOBAL E-EXPORTING

The U.S. Department of Commerce is sponsoring a "New Orleans Global E-Exporting Conference" on Monday, October 23. The keynote speakers are Michelle O’Neill, Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information Technology Industries and New Orleans Mayor Marc H. Morial. The agenda highlights include:

• E-Exporting Opportunities in Emerging Markets, in which panelists will discuss how to seize the value of the Internet to become proactive in acquiring new clients;

• E-Commerce for the Global Marketplace, where the issues of website globalization, marketing, payment systems, and overseas fulfillment and delivery will be discussed;

• Legal and Regulatory Issues that affect global e-commerce, with local law firms on hand to discuss taxation, intellectual property rights, and federal/state policies that affect e-business; and

• An Interactive Video Connection to the U.S. Commercial Service Offices in South Africa.

Co-sponsors include: the Louisiana District Export Council; Louisiana Department of Economic Development; New Orleans Mayor’s Office of International Relations and Trade Development; MetroVision Economic Development Partnership; World Trade Center of New Orleans; BankOne; Hibernia National Bank; Whitney National Bank; Port of New Orleans; Louisiana Technology Council; and Jones, Walker.

The conference is being held at the Conference Center of the Pan American Life Building, 601 Poydras Street in New Orleans. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The event lasts from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cost is $25, which includes continental breakfast and lunch. For details, call the U.S. Export Assistance Center in New Orleans at (504) 589-6546.

OCT. 11 BREAKFAST FORUM ON LOUISIANA INC.

The World Trade Center will hold a Breakfast Forum on Louisiana Inc. at the WTC’s Plimsoll Club in New Orleans on Wednesday, October 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The forum is designed to inform voters on the bill passed by the Legislature and the Constitutional Amendment on the November 7 ballot relating to Louisiana Inc., the proposed new organization which would replace the Louisiana Department of Economic Development.

The confirmed speakers are: Andy Kopplin, Assistant Chief of Staff to Governor Mike Foster; Louisiana State Senator Ken Hollis; Louisiana State Representative Shirley Bowler; Jim Brandt, President of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR); Jack Walker, Director of Public Policy of the New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce; and Mike Conwell, Senior Vice President/International of Hibernia National Bank and a member of the Louisiana Economic Development Council. To register for the October 11 forum, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222, or register online.

U.S. AMBASSADOR TO MEXICO TO SPEAK AT OCT. 30 LUNCHEON

The World Trade Center, the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, and other organizations are holding a luncheon program on Monday, October 30 featuring the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, the Hon. Jeffrey Davidow, who will speak on "The U.S. and Mexico Relations Under the New Fox Administration." The luncheon will be held at the WTC’s Plimsoll Club in New Orleans.

Ambassador Davidow has been in his present position since July 1998 and has been a Presidential appointee on three prior occasions. He served previously as Ambassador to Zambia and Venezuela and as Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs from 1996 to 1998. A Foreign Service Officer of the U.S. Department of State, he has spent much of his 29-year career focusing on Latin America. In addition to his ambassadorial positions, he has served in American Embassies in Guatemala, Chile, and Venezuela. He was also posted to South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Ambassador Davidow studied at the University of Massachusetts (B.A. 1965), the University of Minnesota (M.A. 1967), and Osmania University in Hyderabad, India (1968-69). While in the Foreign Service, he spent one year as a Fellow of the American Political Science Association working as a congressional staff aide (1979) and another year as a Fellow of the Center for International Affairs at Harvard University (1982).

For details or to register for the October 30 luncheon program, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or click here.

FRA TO HOLD KOREAN DINNER IN NEW ORLEANS

The Foreign Relations Association of New Orleans (FRA) is holding "Dining Internationally," an evening of dining, entertainment, and learning at the Genghis Khan Restaurant at 4053 Tulane Avenue in New Orleans on Tuesday, October 10 starting at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Henry Lee, the proprietor of the Genghis Khan, will discuss Korean cuisine and play the violin at this unique Mid-City restaurant. For reservations ($30 per person for FRA members and $35 for non-members), call the FRA office at (504) 523-2201.

LOUISIANA TRADE EVENTS

Oct. 9 -"Import/Export Strategies and Market Research" seminar from 3:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the World Trade Center in New Orleans. Call the Louisiana International Trade Center (LITC) at (504) 568-8222 for details.

Oct. 10 -"Dining Internationally" an evening of dining, entertainment, and learning at 6:30 p.m. at the Genghis Khan Restaurant in New Orleans. Call the FRA office at (504) 523-2201.

Oct. 11 -"Pricing, Terms, Quotations and Customs Entry Procedures" seminar from 3:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the WTC in New Orleans. Call the LITC at (504) 568-8222 for details.

Oct. 16 -"International Banking, Financing, Transportation, and Documentation" seminar from 3:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the WTC in New Orleans. Call the LITC at (504) 568-8222.

Oct. 23 -All-day conference on "Global E-Exporting" at the Pan American Life Building Conference Center in New Orleans. Featured speaker is Hon. Michelle O’Neill, Deputy Assistance Secretary of Commerce for Information Technology Industries. For details, call (504) 589-6546.

Oct. 24 -A luncheon program at the WTC in New Orleans featuring the Hon. Lebohang K. Moleko, Ambassador of Lesotho to the U.S. For details call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222.

Oct. 26 -"Doing Business with China - A Live Market Briefing" in Shreveport. Keynote speaker is Hon. Marjory Searing, U.S. Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary and Director General. For details, call (318) 676-3064.

Oct. 26 -A luncheon program at the WTC in New Orleans featuring the Hon. George Odlum, Minister of Foreign Affairs of St. Lucia. For details call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222.

Oct. 30 -A luncheon program at the WTC in New Orleans featuring the Hon. JeffreyDavidow, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. For details call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222.

DOING BUSINESS WITH CHINA SEMINAR IN SHREVEPORT

At the "Doing Business with China - A Live Market Briefing" to be held in Shreveport on October 26, you can learn how to take advantage of new trade opportunities with China, a country that imported $166 billion of goods from world markets in 1999. The event includes a live videoconference from China. The keynote speaker is Marjory Searing, U.S. Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary/Director General. Topics include: Overview of China’s Market; Market Access and Compliance; New Business Opportunities; Remedies for Problems; and a World Trade Organization Overview and Update.

The cost is $35 in advance and $45 at the door (continental breakfast and lunch included). The site is the Louisiana Tech University Technology Transfer Center, 8028 Shreveport Drive in Shreveport. For details, call the Shreveport Export Assistance Center at (318) 676-3064, or send a fax to (318) 676-3063.

AETI TO CONDUCT TRADE FINANCE SEMINAR AT WTC

The American Export Training Institute (AETI) is holding a trade finance seminar at the World Trade Center in New Orleans on November 13-14. The seminar will be led by Richard "Chip" Thomas, a global trade and banking expert who has taught trade finance techniques to thousands of seminar participants worldwide. The seminar sponsors are Bank One, the U.S. Export-Import Bank, and the WTC. The seminar will provide a clear understanding of how to: (1) take advantage of financial tools such as letters of credit and Ex-Im Bank resources; (2) offer competitive credit terms and still receive payment upon shipment; (3) protect balance sheets and cashflow from the risks of international trade; and (4) identify creditworthy prospects and structure successful sales contracts. For details, call AETI at (212) 519-4343 or visit www.exportrisk.com.

CATALOG SHOWS IN CANADA

The International Trade Division of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development will be participating in Showcase USA Multi-State Trade Days and Matchmaker Events 2000 scheduled for 4 Canadian cities.

This is a cooperative effort with the Council of American States in Canada and the U.S. Commercial Service, which is assisting with these events in Halifax, Nova Scotia (November 14); Quebec City (November 16); Calgary, Alberta (January 22, 2001); and Winnipeg, Manitoba (January 24, 2001). These catalog shows are an opportunity for Louisiana companies to display their product brochures and company information to the Canadian market. An international trade official will handle on-site inquiries and return all trade leads to the respective companies.

The Council of American States in Canada and the U.S. Commercial Service will promote these events to Canadian distributors, buyers, and agents throughout each market area. Each venue is an opportunity to test the market potential with a minimum of expense. There is no participation fee. However, companies are required to provide 80 catalogs or product brochures for the four locations. They should be mailed to: International Trade Office, 101 France Street, Suite 310, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, or call (225) 342-4320. Space is limited to the first 25 qualifying companies that complete and return the participation agreement form and brochures. Call Gilbert "Whitey" Lagasse at (504) 529-1601, ext. 230, or fax your form to (504) 529-1691.

MIAMI CONFERENCE ON LATIN AMERICA

Bringing together heads of state, business CEO’s and leading experts, the Caribbean/Latin American Action’s Miami Conference is the international private sector’s premier forum each year for business and economic development in the hemisphere. It will be held December 5-8 at the Hotel Inter-Continental. A three-day Business and Technology Exposition will also be featured. Call Caribbean/Latin American Action at (202) 466-7464 or e-mail at expo@claa.org.

OCT. 24 LUNCHEON FEATURES LESOTHO AMBASSADOR TO U.S.

The Lesotho Ambassador to the United States, the Hon. Lebohang Moleko, will be the featured speaker at a luncheon program at the Plimsoll Club of the World Trade Center in New Orleans on Tuesday, October 24. Ambassador Moleko will speak on "Doing Business with Lesotho."

Ambassador Moleko has served as Ambassador to the United States since November of 1999 and also currently serves as Ambassador to Mexico. His previous appointments as Ambassador include the People’s Republic of China, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Japan. Amb. Moleko has a Ph.D from the University of Ottawa in Condensed Matter Physics and has published numerous articles on the subject.

The Kingdom of Lesotho, formerly a British protectorate known as Basutoland, gained its independence in 1966. Lying north of Cape Province and completely surrounded by South Africa, Lesotho has a population of approximately 2.1 million and covers an area of 30,350 square kilometers (about the size of the state of Maryland. Lesotho’s economy is based largely on agriculture, light manufacturing, and remittances from workers employed in South Africa. Manufacturing depends largely on farm products to support the milling, canning, leather and jute industries; other industries include textiles, clothing, and construction.

Lesotho’s exports, mainly clothing, furniture, footware, and wool, declined from $228 million in 1998 to $221 million in 1999, while imports, primarily corn, clothing, building materials, vehicles, machinery, medicines and petroleum products, were $902 million and $887 million in the respective years. During the same period, there was a shift in the direction of Lesotho’s exports. The level of exports destined for the United States increased by a notable 29% resulting in the U.S. share of Lesotho’s total exports of 47%. The Government of Lesotho welcomes this evident improvement in trade relations between Lesotho and the United States, and encourages greater participation in commercial life and welcomes interest from potential American investors, importers, and suppliers.

To register for the October 24 luncheon, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext 222 or 271, or register online.

ST. LUCIA MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO SPEAK ON OCT. 26

The Hon. George Odlum, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade of St. Lucia, will be the featured speaker at a Thursday, October 26 luncheon at the World Trade Center’s Plimsoll Club on the subject "Doing Business with St. Lucia." The focus will be on opportunities for Louisiana companies in St. Lucia in investment, trade and tourism.

The Minister will be accompanied byMs. Elizabeth Charles-Soomer, the General Manager of the National Development Corporation, and Mr. Kent Hippolyte, the Consul General of St. Lucia in Miami.

St. Lucia is located in the Windward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean. The country, which has a population of approximately 150,000, gained its independence from Great Britain in 1979. The capital city of Castries contains more than a third of the population. English is the official language, although many St. Lucians speak a French patois.

St. Lucia’s economy is based largely on banana production and tourism, with some manufacturing, and many opportunities for future development. The country is a member of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, which issues a common currency, and is a member of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM). St. Lucia’s exports totaled $86 million in 1996 (bananas, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, other agricultural products, oils and fats, and manufactured goods). Imports totaled $267 million (food, fuel, manufactured goods, machinery, and transport equipment).

For details on the October 26 luncheon program, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or 271, or register online.

SENATE PASSES CHINA PNTR

By an 83-15 vote on September 19, the U.S. Senate approved legislation to grant Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) to China. The vote effectively eliminates the last obstacle for the bill, which would end the current yearly congressional review of China’s trade status with the United States. The legislation is expected to be signed by the President shortly.

China’s next step will be to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), which it would have done regardless of how the U.S. Congress voted on PNTR. The vote was of vital importance, however, because it allows the United States to benefit from the concessions agreed to by China in bilateral negotiations with its trading partners. Failure to approve PNTR for China would have resulted in the U.S. losing out on many of the advantages of China’s accession to the WTO and allowed its global competitors to take Chinese market share from the U.S.

FREE MARKET EXPOSURE AT UKRAINE TRADE SHOW

The Foreign Commercial Service in Kiev, Ukraine will provide free market exposure at the Fifth International Exhibition - Food and Drinks 2000 on November 15-18. This is the largest Ukrainian trade fair in the food sector. Featured products include food products, food additives, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, confectionery products, packaging materials, food trade publications, and more. Call the U.S. Export Assistance Center at (504) 589-6546 for details.

CHANGE IN FSC TAX PROVISIONS PASSED BY U.S. HOUSE

The U.S. Senate is currently considering legislation that will revise a 1982 tax law that provides special tax treatment for U.S. Foreign Sales Corporations (FSC). The FSC Repeal and Extraterritorial Exclusion Act of 2000 (HR 4986) was passed by the House of Representatives on September 13 and introduced into the Senate, where it was referred to the Finance Committee. The bill was amended and reported out of the Committee on September 20 and placed on the Senate legislative calendar where it is currently awaiting action.

The legislation is an effort to comply with a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that U.S. FSC provisions, which offer a key tax incentive for exporters, constitute restricted export subsidies under the organization’s rules. By applying the new provisions to a broader range of businesses and individuals, it is hoped that this measure will overcome the argument of the European Union (EU), which filed the complaint with the WTO, that the FSC tax provisions offer an unfair subsidy by giving a tax break only to exporters. The EU, however, has already announced that it will challenge the new U.S. measure and will ask the WTO for authority to impose at least $4 billion in punitive tariffs on U.S. goods. in its ruling against the United States, the WTO gave the U.S. until October 1 to end the subsidy or face retaliatory sanctions from the EU, but the EU has agreed to put off any action until November.

This disagreement, along with the recent U.S. victory against European restrictions on the import of bananas and hormone-treated beef, have raised concerns over increasing trade frictions between the United States and the European Union. U.S. officials have claimed that the EU complaint against the FSC provisions was filed as a response to the beef and bananas case, a claim that EU officials have denied.

INDUSTRY MARKET INSIGHT REPORTS

Listed below are excerpts from U.S. Commercial Service Industry Market Insight Reports. For the entire report(s), call the U.S. Export Assistance Center in New Orleans at (504) 589-6546.

Kuwait - Mobile Sewage Treatment. To fight pollution caused by untreated sewage flowing into nearby Gulf waters, Kuwait plans to import US$10 million worth of mobile sewage treatment units and build two sewage treatment plants at a cost of some US$250 million. Sewage treatment equipment manufacturers, and water treatment engineering companies are encouraged to contact their Kuwaiti agents to participate in the pre-qualification process.

Denmark - Natural Gas Reserves in Danish North Sea. Re-assessments of natural gas reserves in the Danish North Sea showed there is more gas than previously assumed. A natural gas pipeline is likely to be constructed in the Baltic Sea between Denmark and Poland.

Worldwide - Procurement Opportunities for Steel. U.S. companies able to supply construction and manufacturing/transformation steel are advised to contact the U.S.Commercial Service in Copenhagen. Companies will be added to the list of potential U.S. suppliers. The list is provided to the multilateral procurement organization(s).

Uzbekistan - Oil and Gas Sector Updated Contact List. Overview of the reorganization and contact information of Uzbekistan’s National Holding Company, and contact information on U.S. oil and gas companies in Uzbekistan.

Australia - Emerging Market for Waste-to-Ethanol Technology. Contact information on Australian companies and organizations involved with technology for ethanol production from biomass and other waste sources.

Canada - New Light Rail Transportation System. Ottawa-Carleton Regional Transit Commission is expanding its public transportation network to include a light rail system. There are future opportunities for U.S. companies offering construction materials and equipment, including light rail train stations and tracks, training of railway personnel, light rail trains, and consulting.

Dominican Republic - Opportunities in Advertising Services. The advertising market represents good opportunities in the areas of market research (public opinion polling, rating surveys, etc.), management information systems, and software designing programs. Report contains contact list.

Mexico - Law Governing Electronic Commerce. Overview of Mexico’s "Model Electronic Commerce Law".

Colombia - Market for Industrial Chemicals. U.S. suppliers have good opportunities to maintain their large share of the Colombian import market for industrial chemicals as moderate expansion is continuously being carried out by various private firms in the petrochemical and chemical sectors. Development of oil and gas fields in Colombia continues at a steady pace. Two major refineries will continue modernization efforts, and the private sector has firm plans for constructing two new refineries.

Morocco - Discovery of Oil and Gas Deposits. Oil and gas was discovered near the eastern Moroccan town of Talsint. Opportunities seem likely in the coming months for refineries, port development, transportation, and pipeline equipment and services. Report contains contact list to learn more about exploration opportunities.

Canada - Agri-Trade International Farm Equipment and Services Exposition. This annual event, in its 17th year, will be held November 8-11 in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. Expo is an excellent venue for U.S. companies to launch their agri-industry products and/or services.

Armenia - Key Customs Contacts and Certification Agencies. Lists key Customs Contacts, including Customs Department, Regional Customs Offices, major Customs Posts, and Certification Agencies.

Russia - Overview of Electronic Commerce. Development of e-commerce infrastructure presents investment opportunities for U.S. firms. However, existing regulations and business practices suggest that a reliable Russian partner is a must.

Taiwan - Solar Energy Water-Heating Systems Promotion. Report contains contact information for firms wishing to learn more about the water-heating systems development plan.

Taiwan- Synthetic Building Cogeneration Plants. Report contains list of key contacts regarding this project.

Costa Rica - Services Markets. Overview of services sector potential.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

The following inbound investment opportunities from Germany have been provided by the European Office of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development. Please call Frank Mulhern at DED at (225) 342-4322 if you would like further details and/or have an interest in establishing contact with the management of either firm. This can be arranged through DED’s representative in Germany.

ATEC GmbH

ATEC is a small German biotech company and is a classic example of a relatively unknown company with an excellent product and technological "know-how" that is also relatively unknown. ATEC offers "customer specific" solutions for the disposal of industrial by-products, environmental waste and sewage. The ATEC "know how" technology can provide a cost-effective and ecologically beneficial solution to a large variety of industries, including biochemistry, genetic engineering, chemical, pharmaceutical, electro plants, nuclear plants, power generating companies, sewage treatment, water purification plants, drinking water companies, and the recycling of useful material and treatment of contaminated soil.

ATEC has a cooperative agreement and the financial participation and support of the Fraunhofer Institute in Stuttgart and the Heidelberg Innovation GmbH & Co Bio Science Venture KG in Heidelberg, Germany. They also are interested in finding customers and compatible business partners in the United States and feel that the Gulf Coast offers good possibilities for cooperation with a firm well-established in the area.

ECOM GmbH

ECOM has over 40 employees with branch operations in France, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Kuwait and India, accounting for export sales of about 33%. ECOM’s product line consists of a variety of calibrators, inspection instruments, measuring instruments, registration electronics, and communications equipment.

ECOM’s customer industry sectors are chemicals, pharmaceuticals, the power supply industry, refineries, paint producers, garbage combustion industry, coke plants, off-shore industry, gas- and oil suppliers. ECOM’s customer reference list is impressive and includes corporations such as Bayer, CIBA, DuPont, FINA, Rhone Poulenc, Roche, Esso, Shell and the BASF plants in Belgium, Germany and Spain.

ECOM is now ready to enter the U.S. market and has pre-selected 3-5 U.S. states for the location of their U.S. sales branch. The next phase would be to produce selected products in the U.S. for worldwide and U.S. sales and distribution. Louisiana is one of the pre-selected states of interest to the company. Its management would be interested in speaking with representatives of any complementary firm in the state that would be interested in a joint venture or partnership.

BRANOPAC GmbH

Branopac is a small company offering corrosion protective films for transparent packaging and corrosion protection papers. This company could be of interest to Louisiana packaging companies in various sectors. For example, Branopac is Europe’s largest supplier of printed baking release paper.

Branopac provides products to the following industry sectors: automotive, mechanical engineering, electrical, steelworks, ship and airline building, military, and baking and large bakeries. Banopac key customers include: Danfoss, Ford, Bosch, Daimler Chrysler, BMW, GM, Fiat, Renault, Ferrari, and Volkswagen.

Branopac currently exports products to Brazil, China, India, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, and most European countries. The company is interested in U.S. partners with knowledge and contacts in the U.S. packaging industry. Because of the variety of products available, custom-made applications and innovative R&D, Branopac can offer not only individual products but a complete system solution.

KARCHER GmbH

Karcher is a small family-owned company with about 30 employees specializing in top quality upper price category stainless steel door handles, pull handles, window handles and accessories. Karcher is very successful in the German market and is now in the process of considering the U.S. market. Karcher already exports its products to England, Austria and Spain and is now in negotiations with various firms in France, Holland and Belgium.

In Germany, Karcher products are marketed/sold by architects, builders, window and door manufacturers and upper-level hardware stores with home product accessories. Regarding the U.S. market, Karcher would be interested in a partnership with architects and builders of large facilities (school, hotels, office building, etc.), as well as door/window manufacturers. For interested Louisiana companies, it is important to know that all Karcher products are produced in Thailand to include serial codes and final Karcher packaging. This means low cost production and high sale prices which could result in a very positive profit margin.

U.S. TRADE DEFICIT HITS RECORD HIGH

The U.S. trade deficit hit a record high in July, reaching $31.9 billion, up from $29.8 billion in June, according to a report released by the U.S. Department of Commerce. This figure is the highest recorded since Commerce began compiling the monthly figures in 1992. The deficit for the first seven months of 2000 stood at $206.3 billion, up from $140.7 billion at that time last year.

Exports decreased in July to $89.7 billion from $91.0 billion in June, while imports increased to $121.6 billion from June’s number of $120.8 billion. The U.S. trade deficit with Japan for the month of July stood at $7.5 billion, bringing the January through July total to $47.2 billion, up from $40.4 billion last year. The trade deficit with China for July was $7.6 billion, and grew to $43.8 billion for the first seven months of 2000 from $35.7 billion in 1999. The U.S. trade deficit with Canada for the month of July was $4.7 billion, bringing the total for the first seven months of 2000 to $28.4 billion from $18 billion last year.

The Clinton administration maintains that almost half of the deterioration in the trade balance is due to a surge in world oil prices. Many economists express minimal concern over the rising deficit, attributing much of the problem to the natural result of a strong U.S. economy that allows U.S. consumers to outspend their global counterparts. The strong U.S. dollar also makes U.S. goods more expensive abroad.

EXPORT ONLINE USING E-EXPO USA

For nearly two years, the U.S. Commercial Service has had its own online showcase of U.S. products and services that help U.S. companies expand their sales worldwide. E-EXPO USA is a virtual trade show available 24 hours per day, year-round. E-EXPO USA currently has over 850 exhibitors, has received 872 trade leads, and has exhibited at 19 international trade events. The site receives over 7,000 hits per day with an average visit lasting over 12 minutes.

The modest $100 annual subscription to E-EXPO USA offers companies the following features:

• Company overview and logo
• Hotlink to company website and e-mail link to designated company contact
• Features up to five products or services complete with pictures and logos
• Electronic trade lead collection
• Additional multimedia presentations
• Profiles on international buyers
• Targeted and customized exposure at selected international trade events, including pre-show and post-show promotion.

E-EXPO USA will be used at upcoming trade shows worldwide, starting with India and moving to Switzerland, South Africa, Egypt, Canada, and Korea. If you are interested in a low-cost, high-value way to promote your products, check out the website at www.e-expousa.doc.gov.

HIDETO MITAMURA NAMED CONSUL GENERAL OF JAPAN

Mr. Hideto Mitamura has been named Consul General of Japan for Louisiana and four other states, succeeding former Consul General Natsuo Amemiya.

Consul General Mitamura, whose office is in New Orleans, was previously the Minister of the Japanese Embassy (Deputy Chief of Mission) in Austria, where he served for three years. Mr. Mitamura has enjoyed a career of early 30 years with the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a diplomat. He began his career in 1971. He has served as Director of Economic Development of the Developing Countries Division, the International Energy Division, and the Telecommunication Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan. Mr. Mitamura’s other assignments have included positions at the Japanese Embassies in Brazil and the United Kingdom and as Minister Councilor of the Japanese Embassy in the United Arab Emirates. He also served three years as special advisor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva.

Mr. Mitamura is a graduate of Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. He also studied at Amherst College in Massachusetts in 1972-1974 and spent a year at Harvard University as a fellow in 1996-1997.