LOUISIANA CELEBRATES WORLD TRADE MONTH

Sponsoring organizations include: Bank One/Global Trade Services (New Orleans); City of New Orleans; Lake Charles Mayor’s Office; Le Centre International de Lafayette (International Center of Lafayette); Louisiana Department of Economic Development; Louisiana District Export Council; MertoVision; Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce; New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center; North Louisiana District Export Council; Port of Lake Charles; Port of New Orleans; Shreveport U.S. Export Assistance Center; University of New Orleans; U.S. Department of Commerce; World Trade Center of New Orleans.

LITC OFFERS IMPORT/EXPORT SEMINARS IN JUNE AT WTC

The next series of Export and Import classes conducted by the Louisiana International Trade Center-SBDC, University of New Orleans, will be June 18, 23, 25 and 30 from 3:45 p.m-8:15 p.m. at the World Trade Center in New Orleans. The topics include: Export/Import Strategies and Market Research, Pricing, Terms, Quotations, Customs Entry Procedures, International Banking, Financing, Transportation, Documentation, and Preparing an Export/Import Marketing Plan. Call the LITC at (504) 568-8222 for additional information and registration details.

AMBASSADOR OF CHILE TO SPEAK ON FTA WITH U.S.

On Tuesday, May 13 the World Trade Center, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations will hold an expanded luncheon seminar from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. in the Plimsoll Club on the topic of "The U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement: Opportunities for Louisiana Business." The featured speaker is H.E. Andrés Bianchi, Ambassador of Chile to the United States. Other speakers include William Lane of Caterpillar, Inc., William Morley, Vice President of Congressional Affairs with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and David Schulingkamp, a Commissioner of the Port of New Orleans. To register for the luncheon, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or click here.

LUNCHEON BRIEFING ON U.S.-CENTRAL AMERICAN PACT

As part of the many events to be held in May to celebrate World Trade Month in Louisiana, Ms. Margaret Hanson-Muse, the Commercial Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in San José, Costa Rica, will conduct a luncheon briefing in the Plimsoll Club on Monday, May 19. She will be speaking on the proposed U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement which is currently being negotiated, as well as the opportunities for U.S. business that are expected to arise out of the agreement. To register for the luncheon, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or click here.

REBUILDING IRAQ WEBSITE

For current information on U.S. Government relief and rebuilding programs for Iraq, visit the U.S. Agency for International Development website at: www.usaid.gov/iraq/.

JAPANESE INDUSTRY ANALYST JOB OPPORTUNITY

Intralox, Inc., the inventor and world’s largest supplier of modular plastic conveyor belting, has an exciting opportunity for a marketing analyst to focus on its Japanese market. The ideal candidate will possess an MBA with an understanding of local access channel. The candidate also must have excellent quantitative/analytical skills, the ability to understand mechanical concepts, effective presentation, communication and organizational skills. Strong computer skills are also essential (Microsoft Office products, database structure, spreadsheet manipulation and Internet). Willingness to relocate is preferred but not essential; travel to Japan will be expected. The candidate will ultimately oversee the composition and/or translation of critical communications, so fluency in Japanese (including formal or business Japanese) must be at the highest level, native fluent. Intralox, Inc., the largest division of Laitram, L.L.C., offers an excellent compensation, benefits and financial incentive package. Interested candidates may submit a resume complete with salary requirements via www.laitram.com or by mail to: Laitram, L.L.C./Human Resources, Attn: Japanese Industry Analyst, 220 Laitram Lane, Harahan, LA 70123.

BREAKFAST BRIEFING ON SOUTH AFRICA

The World Trade Center and other organizations are sponsoring a breakfast briefing on Friday, May 23 at the Plimsoll Club on "Doing Business in South Africa" featuring Mr. Johnny Brown, Commercial Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Johannesburg. To register, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or click here.

INDUSTRY MARKET REPORTS

Following is a list of various 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, or the Shreveport Export Assistance Center at (318) 676-3064.

Belgium—Belgian Landscape for Remanufactured Car Parts

Czech Republic—Defibrillator Suppliers Needed

Ethiopia - Primary Health Care Project/Procurement of Drugs and Medical Supplies

Greece - Western Balkan Natural Gas Pipeline Scheduled to Proceed

Mexico - Expo Medica Hospital Show

Panama - Prescription Drug Registration in Panama

Philippines - Best Markets for U.S. Products

Turkey - Turkish Trading Company Seeks to Expand Chemicals Line

Turkey - Turkish Firm Seeks U.S. Suppliers of Medical/Surgical Products

Vietnam - Best Prospects for Medical Equipment

Vietnam - Refinery Market Sector

Yemen - Opportunities for Oil/Gas Sector Projects

NEW SPANISH SCHOOL

The Accent International Language Institute has opened a branch in the Central Business District in New Orleans and is offering courses in conversational Spanish and ESL. For details, call (877) 244-0591.

U.S. EXPORT ASSISTANCE RESTRICTED FOR CUBA

Companies that are looking for help with exporting to Cuba should be aware that your local U.S. Export Assistance Center is restricted from assisting on this matter. As outlined in the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000, the U.S. Government may not provide export assistance with regard to Cuba. The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, may not provide its clients information concerning Cuba and may not refer clients to non-U.S. Government sources of information on Cuba. For questions regarding the restrictions, please call Maria Pagan, Senior Counsel for International Commerce at (202) 482-5221, or Dylan Williams at (202) 482-5219.

USEAC STAFF MEMBER TOM WILLIAMS RETIRES

Tom Williams, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) International Finance Officer at the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center since 1999, retired at the end of April. He was assigned to the USEAC under a partnership between SBA and U.S. Department of Commerce to offer one-stop-shopping to export-ready firms. He previously worked as a loan officer at the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. and in the international operations office of 3M Company for 14 years. Immediately prior to joining SBA, Tom spent more than two years in the Ukraine as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer. Best wishes to Tom for a long and happy retirement.

No SBA replacement has been assigned to the New Orleans USEAC at this time, but export loan assistance is still available to Louisiana firms via other offices. Contact Rick Schulze, SBA International Trade Finance Specialist in the North Arlington (Dallas) USEAC at phone (817) 277-1313 or email: Richard.schulze@sba.gov. For Export-Import Bank export loan assistance, contact Kelly Kemp, Business Development Officer in Houston at phone (281) 721-0468 or email: Kelly.kemp@exim.gov.

SENATOR JOHN BREAUX RECEIVES BERTEL AWARD

At a luncheon at the World Trade Center’s Plimsoll Club on April 22, U.S. Senator John Breaux received the C.Alvin Bertel Award for his outstanding contributions to the advancement of the Greater New Orleans port area. The Award Selection Committee is comprised of 11 international trade, transportation, and government organizations in the region.

INTERNATIONAL PORT PLANNING PROGRAM

The 19th annual International Program for Port Planning and Management (IPPPM) will be held at the World Trade Center in New Orleans May 19-30. The program is administered by the University of New Orleans National Ports and Waterways Institute/College of Urban and Public Affairs. The course helps maritime industry executives sharpen practical skills and strengthen conceptual understanding in a broad array of general maritime planning and management fields. For more information, view the website at www.uno.edu/cupa/ipppm.html, or contact the Assistant Director by phone (504) 280-6519 or e-mail at psimon@uno.edu.

POSTPONING TRAVEL TO SOME AREAS RECOMMENDED

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and/or World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that people with elective or non-essential travel to China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Hanoi (Vietnam), and Toronto (Canada) consider postponing such travel. In light of the evolving nature of the Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) situation, travelers should regularly check the CDC website at: www.cdc.gov/ and the WHO website at: www.who.int/ for current information on this matter. U.S. Embassies in some of those areas are working at reduced staffing levels due to SARS. However, the Foreign Commercial Section is still available to provide U.S. export-related services such as International Partner Searches, Video Gold Keys, Contact Lists, and other trade programs. Contact the U.S. Export Assistance in New Orleans at (504) 589-6546 or in Shreveport at (318) 676-3064 for assistance.

SAM’S CLUB CANADA OFFERS U.S. EXPORT OPORTUNITIES

The U.S. Commercial Service in Toronto, Canada, reports that Walmart Canada plans to open six Sam’s Club stores in the greater Toronto area over the next two year, one as early as fall 2003. This venture is expected to provide export opportunities for U.S. Manufacturers of low-cost, top quality products. Sam’s Club Canada headquarters in Brampton, Ontario will make its own buying decision independently from Sam’s Club in the United States. For a copy of this topic report, call the U.S. Export Assistance Center in New Orleans at (504) 589-6546.

WTC SUMMER LANGUAGE CLASSES TO BEGIN JUNE 3

The World Trade Center will offer its summer session of foreign language classes on June 3 at the WTC Building in New Orleans. The classes are conducted by the faculty of Alpha Tech Communications. The emphasis is on business usage and conversation. The session will last six 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. Call Alpha Tech at (504) 454-6554.

COMPANIES URGED TO PARTICIPATE IN LOYOLA SURVEY

If your company is engaged in international trade, you are strongly urged to participate in an international business survey from the College of Business Administration at Loyola University New Orleans. The survey is part of a major international business study sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education on emerging trends and threats to Louisiana’s internationalization efforts. It is vital for a large number of companies to participate in the survey for the Loyola study to be statistically representative. The information from respondents to the survey will be treated confidentially and all who participate will receive an executive summary of the findings. The survey is located on-line at www.loyno.edu/~ibc/survey.html, or you can call Dr. Joseph Ganitsky at Loyola at (504) 864-7967 to request a hard copy (or send an e-mail to ganitsky@loyno.edu). Developed collaboratively with the College of Business, the World Trade Center of New Orleans, Louisiana Economic Development and over 27 other development agencies and organizations, the survey will shed new light on the macro-economic, political, and business climate surrounding exporters and importers in Louisiana. The grant study, "Strengthening Louisiana’s Internationalization Efforts in a New World of Uncertainty and Risk," seeks information about the impact of global changes on internationalization efforts of Louisiana businesses and investigates small and family-owned businesses, multinationals and their suppliers, and other global trade players. Its results will be compared to those of a similar study conducted five years ago. Loyola College of Business plans to create several international business assistance programs from the study’s findings, to offer a capstone-conference for Louisiana business executives, and to submit a public policy proposal with strategic recommendations to the next Governor of Louisiana.