LUNCHEON ON U.S.-FRANCE TRADE RELATIONS

On Tuesday, April 6 the French-American Chamber of Commerce, the World Trade Center, and other organizations will sponsor a luncheon program in the WTC’s Plimsoll Club on "Trade and Investment between France and the U.S." featuring Mr. Denis Simonneau, Consul General of France in Houston and Head of Trade and Economic Mission in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, and Louisiana. Mr. Simoneau will be introduced by Hon. Patrick Rolot, Consul General of France in New Orleans.

Mr. Simonneau has been Consul General of France for the states of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, and Head of the Trade and Economic Mission for the same states and Louisiana since 2001. From 1997 to 2001, he was Counsellor at the French Representation to the European Union. From 1996 to 1997, Mr. Simonneau was Adviser to the Minister for European Affairs. He was First Secretary at the French Embassy in South Africa in charge of political and Constitutional matters from 1993 to 1996, and from 1990 to 1993 he worked for the Economic Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

To register, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or click here.  Note: Registration closes April 5 at 12:00 Noon.

HONDURAN AMBASSADOR TO SPEAK AT APRIL 16 LUNCHEON

The World Trade Center, the Consulate General of Honduras, and other organizations will sponsor a luncheon briefing on Friday, April 16 in the WTC’s Plimsoll Club on "Doing Business in Honduras Under the U.S. -Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA)" featuring Hon. Mario M. Canahuati, Ambassador of Honduras to the United States. To register for the luncheon, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or click here.

COLOMBIAN AMBASSADOR TO SPEAK AT WTC ON APRIL 19

The World Trade Center, in cooperation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other organizations, will be holding a business forum from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 19 in the WTC’s Plimsoll Club on "U.S.-Colombia: On the Road to Free Trade." The keynote luncheon speaker will be H.E. Luisi Alberto Moreno, Ambassador of Colombia to the United States. Prior to the luncheon there will be a panel discussion featuring senior executives from companies that have operations in Colombia. New Orleans is the first site for the U.S. Chamber’s 2004 Colombia Ambassadorial Tour and Business Outlook Series, an effort by both countries to build the grassroots support for a free trade agreement. To register for the forum, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or click here.

BRIEFING ON BRAZIL, CHILE, AND CENTRAL AMERICA

On Wednesday, May 5 the World Trade Center, the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center, and other organizations will sponsor an expanded luncheon briefing in the Plimsoll Club on "Latin American Market Outlook: Brazil, Chile and Central America" featuring the U.S. Commercial Officers from each of those areas.

The forum will include an overview of the respective economic climates, a discussion of relevant free trade agreements, and the Commercial Officers’ recommendations on the best prospects for U.S. exports to those markets. The three speakers will also be available for individual consultations following the luncheon.

To register, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or click here.

U.S. - AUSTRALIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT BRIEFING

On Friday, May 7 the World Trade Center, the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center and other organizations will sponsor a luncheon briefing at the WTC’s Plimsoll Club on "New Business Prospects Under the U.S.- Australia Free Trade Agreement" featuring Nasir Abassi, Commercial Consul at the U.S. Consulate General in Melbourne. To register for the luncheon, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222.  Online details to posted shortly on www.wtcno.org.

APRIL 15 LUNCHEON ON TRINIDAD OIL & GAS MARKET

Le Centre International de Lafayette, Louisiana Economic Development, and the New Orleans Export Assistance Center are sponsoring a luncheon briefing on "Trinidad and Tobago Oil & Gas Industry Opportunities" to be held at the Petroleum Club of Lafayette on Thursday, April 15. The featured speaker is Ms. Hannah Breaux, the Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain. For reservations, call Le Centre International at (337) 291-5474.

TRADE AGREEMENTS DATABASE

Dartmouth College’s Center for International Business has available on its website (http://cib.tuck.dartmouth.edu/cibresearch/) a database of all bilateral and regional free trade agreements. Viewers can search and download the database in more than 70 fields, such as:

• Duties and Charges on Imports

• Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

• Dispute Settlement Procedures

• Intellectual Property

• Quantitative Restrictions on Imports

• Labor, and

• Investment

ENTREPRENEUR’S SALES GUIDE

For a free copy of the "Procurement Opportunities Guide: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Selling to Governments and Corporations", call the New Orleans USEAC at (504) 589-6546 or Shreveport USEAC at (318) 676-3064. The U.S. Commercial Service is featured under "Resources for Selling to Foreign Governments and International Organizations." Other topics include Selling to Federal and State Governments, Large Corporations, Procurement Opportunities and Assistance for Women/Minority/Veteran-owned Businesses, and a Glossary of Procurement-related Terms. MasterCard International developed the book with assistance from the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Small Business Administration, and many other organizations.

INTERNATIONAL AIR CARGO CONFERENCE IN BILOXI

This year’s 13th Annual International Air Cargo Conference and Exhibit (Air, Land and Sea Shipping Services and Products Expo) will be held at the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi May 10 - 13. There will be 164 exhibitors consisting of small regional companies to large international companies including airports, airlines, express air carriers, freight forwarders, expedited motor carriers, consolidators, integrators, logistics, trucking, security, contractors and other major companies related to the cargo industry. Attending the conference will be thousands of shippers, manufacturers, distributors and custom brokers from around the globe. For more information, visit www.iacc-expo.com.

VISAS TO KUWAIT NOT NEEDED

Obtaining visitor visas prior to arrival in Kuwait is no longer necessary for citizens of 30 countries in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Visitor visas will be issued at the ports of entry in Kuwait, according to Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior.

GULF COAST STATES WORLD TRADE CONFERENCE

For the last several years, a Gulf Coast trade alliance (Louisiana Economic Development, Mississippi Development Authority, Mobile Chamber of Commerce, and University of West Florida/Small Business Development Center) has presented an annual program on international trade. The theme for the 2004 World Trade Day Conference is "Navigating the Americas Through Regional Partnerships." The event will be held on May 2-4 at the Beau Rivage Resort Hotel in Biloxi, Mississippi. This year’s conference will highlight the role and cooperation of the Gulf Coast states in enhancing their global competitiveness, particularly regarding trade with Central and South America.

Topics Include:

• Agricultural Trade in the Western Hemisphere

• Update on Current and Future Trade Agreements

• Briefings on Opportunities in Central and South America

• Transportation Roundtable (Officials discuss service trends, security issues and other international trade topics)

• CEO Forum: successful Ventures in Latin America

• One-on-One appointments with U.S. Commercial Officers

• Scheduled Speakers Include:

• Rhonda Newman Keenum—Director General nominee, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service

• Russell Smith—Director for Free Trade Area of the Americas, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

• Senior Commercial Officers from the U.S. Embassies in Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, and Honduras

• Gray Swoope—Deputy Director/Chief Operations Officer, Mississippi Development Authority

• Jay Moon—President, Mississippi Manufacturers Assn.

Register at: www.mississippi.org/doing_busn/intl/wtd.htm, or call (601) 359-3155.

INTERNATIONAL POSITION WITH OCHSNER CLINIC FOUNDATION

Ochsner Clinic Foundation is looking for a Director of International Health Services and Business Development. A Bachelors degree is required, and a Master’s degree is preferred. Previous experience managing a diverse group of individuals is necessary. Candidates must be bilingual (English and Spanish) and have an understanding of cultural diversity specific to Latin America and the Caribbean. Must be willing to travel locally, regionally and internationally. Must possess a strong customer service/concierge philosophy along with interpersonal skills with an ability to collaborate. Previous health care experience is helpful, but hospitality experience is preferred. Interested candidates should contact Andy Keller via e-mail at akellar@ochsner.org and use the Human Resourses Department via Ochsner’s Internet on-line application process at www.ochsner.org.

CONGRESSIONAL GUIDE TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE

The "Congressional Guide to International Trade" is an informative 20-page publication in a concise question-and-answer format. It is designed to provide the Members of Congress and their constituents with information about the benefits of International trade and to clarify some of the misconceptions about the impact of trade on workers, companies, and communities in the U.S. and abroad. To view the Guide, click here. (pdf)

EXPORT AND IMPORT SEMINARS

The University of New Orleans SBDC/LITC will hold seminars at the World Trade Center in New Orleans on Import/Export Strategies and Market Research; Pricing, Terms, Quotation and Customs Entry Procedures; International Banking, Financing, Transportation, and Documentation; and International Marketing Plans on May 4, 6 and 10. The UNO SBDC/LITC will also present a seminar on Legal Aspects of International Trade on May 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. For more information or to register for any program in New Orleans, call the LITC at (504) 539-9292. Export/Import classes will also be held in Shreveport on April 28 and 29 at the Louisiana State University (LSU) Shreveport (SBDC). For information or to register call Jane Allison at (318) 797-5144.

CONFERENCE ON LOUISIANA’S GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS

After two years of applied research, Loyola’s College of Business Administration is organizing and hosting its first annual conference on "Strengthening Louisiana’s International Competitiveness" on Friday, April 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the University’s Monroe Library.

Individuals interested in discussing this important subject and participating in the conference are invited to register by calling (504) 864 - 7944 or by accessing the conference’s website (www.loyno.edu/intlconf.html). The conference will begin with a contrast of two surveys focusing on the state’s global opportunities and needs. Conducted in 1998 and again in 2003, the surveys were sent to all Louisiana companies known to be involved in international trade activities. The contrast of the two sets of results provides a vision of the impact that market forces and trends have had on how businesses perceive the state’s international potential and challenges.

The conference will also present the findings of four in-depth applied studies: (1) the internationalization of family-owned firms, (2) the transformation of small suppliers to large multinationals into world-class players, (3) the adjustments made after September 11 by suppliers of financial and transportation services, and (4) the challenges confronted by firms seeking to reposition themselves in response to competitive changes within their industries. A panel of business and community leaders will share lessons resulting from their efforts to strengthen their global competitive position.

At lunch several distinguished public leaders will address the region’s opportunities and challenges to become more competitive. Strategies and tactics to reach this goal will be proposed and discussed by all participants during an afternoon workshop. Conference participants will work in small groups under the guidance of an experienced facilitator and will advocate and defend different options, reflecting their particular perspectives.

At a later date, the proposals emerging from the April 30 conference presentations and workshop will be incorporated into a "White Paper" that will be sent to key international business constituents throughout the state. It will serve as the starting point for additional work in preparation for the Second Annual Conference on Strengthening Louisiana’s International Competitiveness in the spring of 2005.

JAPANESE - SPEAKING SALES AND SERVICE POSITION

Intralox, L.L.C., a growing manufacturing division of Laitram, L.L.C., has an exciting opportunity for a Japanese-Speaking Sales and Service Representative. Primary responsibilities for this position include providing technical assistance for our all-plastic conveyor systems, supporting the Japan Field Sales Staff and resolving customer problems.

This position requires working a schedule from 9:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. Additional requirements include the ability to speak, read and write fluently in English and Japanese, 2+ years of customer service or inside sales experience, strong telephone/interpersonal skills and a solid technical aptitude. A working knowledge of Windows-based software coupled with a minimum typing speed of 35 WPM is also required. B.S. degree is preferred but not required. Laitram, L.L.C. (www.laitram.com) offers an excellent compensation,benefits and financial incentive package. Interested candidates should e-mail their resume complete with salary history, in confidence, to: hr_us@laitram.com.

ON-LINE TRADE RESOURCES

OANDA

http://www.oanda.com provides currency conversion between many currencies (even ones in less developed countries that are hard to find). By visiting this web site, one can even find a specific exchange rate for a past date.

Assess Your International Risk

http://www.assessyourinternationalrisk.org is a web site published by the Small Business Administration, the United States Chamber of Commerce, and the American International Group (AIG).

Business Etiquette

http://www.executiveplanet.com will help you understand the customs and etiquette in doing business overseas. It covers negotiating, business entertaining, gift giving, making appointments, names and titles, and dress code.

World Clock

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock will help you to find current times and dates around the world.

Latin America

http://www.latin-focus.com provides the latest news and commentary from Latin America, presented in both English and Spanish, plus other useful information

IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION

The Department of Commerce’s Iraq Investment & Reconstruction Task Force is a primary information liaison with the business community about investment, reconstruction and other commercial opportunities in Iraq.

Website: www.export.gov/iraq

The Task Force website is a leading resource for useful information about Iraq, including:

• Business Climate in Iraq - Overviews of commercial laws and regulations, a business guide for Iraq, industry sector overviews, and more.

• Reconstruction Contracts & Subcontracts - The most complete listing available of U.S. Government reconstruction prime contractors and known subcontractors, which small businesses can reference to identify potential partners.

• Investment & Trade Resources - Practical tips on trade, investment, and travel, in addition to guidance on local and U.S. resources for financing, and more.

IraqAlert E-mail Update Service

Companies can receive updates on developments in Iraq by e-mail for free by subscribing via the Iraq Investment & Reconstruction Task Force wet site, www.export.gov/iraq.

Individual Counseling for U.S. Companies

U.S. companies can obtain individual counseling through the Iraq Task Force Hotline at 1-866-352-IRAQ (toll-free in U.S.) or 1-202-482-9080, or e-mail IraqInfo@maildoc.gov.