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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 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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LATIN
AMERICAN FORUM FEATURES 55 INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
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DEVELOPMENT
BANK CONFERENCE ON GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES
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LOUISIANA
TRADE MISSION TO VENEZUELA PETROLEUM SHOW
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CAPT.
MICHAEL LORINO TO RECEIVE BERTEL AWARD
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FREE
LISTING IN LOUISIANA TRADE DIRECTORY
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CHINA BUSINESS
INFORMATION CENTER
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THE BUREAU OF
INDUSTRY AND SECURITY
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BRAZIL: MARKET OF THE
MONTH
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WHAT IS THE
EXPORT.GOV COMMUNITY?
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INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
CAREER FAIR AT LOYOLA
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PATRICK GALLWEY APPOINTED PORT OF NEW ORLEANS COO
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE
LEADS
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WORLD
AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF NEW ORLEANS EVENTS
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FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS
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GULF STATES WORLD TRADE CONFERENCE IN PENSACOLA
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2ND
MARKET OF THE MONTH: SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO
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| The 4th Annual Latin American Leadership Forum will be held in New
Orleans on March 28-29 and is the one-stop shop for the top 55
infrastructure projects in Latin America. Over 500 executives representing
the key players in the infrastructure market have already registered. The
Forum is locally hosted by the World Trade Center and will take place at the
Hilton Riverside Hotel next to the WTC.
“We are holding the Forum in New Orleans this year because we believe in
the region’s vital role in the global economy and because we want to boost
the recovery efforts of a great city in the aftermath of Katrina,” said
Norman Anderson, President & CEO of CG/LA Infrastructure LLC, the organizer
of the event.
In its fourth year, the Leadership Forum focuses on the top 5 Latin
American infrastructure projects in ten project categories, for a total of
50 projects with an enterprise value exceeding $50 billion. Projects will be
presented in the sectors of oil and gas; ports and logistics; water and
sanitation; digital infrastructure; electricity; mining and logistics; urban
mass transit; tourism; disaster relief; and strategic infrastructure.
Project developers will travel from 17 countries in Latin America to New
Orleans to present their projects. The most attractive feature of the Forum
are the private meetings - each participant structures private meetings
on-line. More than 350 such meetings have been structured to date, and the
organizers expect to pre-schedule nearly 1,500 private meetings. The
Leadership Forum brings together key leaders and decision makers in the
field of infrastructure and project development, and with 400-plus current
registrants the organizers are confident that their goal of 600 participants
will be realized.
Speakers will present projects, discuss trends, and explore business
ideas. Among the key speakers are: Robert Mosbacher, Jr., President and CEO,
Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC); Linda Conlin, Director,
Export Import Bank of the United States; Amb. John Maisto, Permanent
Representative of the U.S. to the Organization of American States; Renato
Bertani, President, Petrobras Americas Inc.; Jaime de La Rosa, President,
Grupo Uni—n Fenosa Mexico; Mario Mar’n, Governor, State of Puebla, Mexico;
Hector Israel Ortiz, Governor, State of Tiaxcala, Mexico; Adriano Meira
Ricci, Commercial Director, Banco do Brasil; Yukiko Omura, Executive Vice
President, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA - World Bank
Group); and Antonio Juan Sosa, Vice President, Andean Development
Corporation (CAF)
Michael Olivier, Louisiana Secretary for Economic Development, will lead
a special workshop on “Doing Business in Louisiana.” Other Forum sessions
include a CEO breakfast organized by MIGA; “Strategic Risk Management”,
organized by Control Risks; and “Financing Infrastructure in Latin America”
organized by CG/LA Infrastructure. For more information about the Leadership
Forum, contact Alex Shtogren at (202) 776-0990, or
ashtogren@cg-la.com, or visit the
website at www.cg-la.com
or www.lalf4.com.
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| “Banking on Development,” a one-day conference to be held at the World
Trade Center in New Orleans on March 30, will highlight a wide range of
business opportunities for U.S. companies with five large multilateral
development banks (MDBs). Organized by the U.S Department of Commerce, the
conference will cover the activities of the World Bank, the Inter-American
Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the African Development Bank,
and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
These five financial institutions extend a combined total of $40-$50
billion annually in loans, grants, and investments to the public and private
sectors for economic and social development in their member countries. The
sectors include infrastructure development, transportation, information
technologies, healthcare and nutrition, energy, agriculture, and services.
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Trade Promotion Israel Hernandez, who
also is the Director General of the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service, will
be the conference’s featured luncheon speaker on the importance of the MDBs
and Commerce’s role in assisting the U.S. business community. The monring
speakers include the five Commerce liaison officers at each of the MDBs, who
will discuss major projects, consulting, and procurement opportunities
generated from the Banks’ grants and lending operations.
Other morning speakers include Michael Olivier, Louisiana Secretary of
Economic Development, and Diane Wilkens, President of Development Finance
International, Inc., as well as U.S. Treasury officials assigned to the MDBs,
who will present new Bank initiatives, market perspectives, and developing
policy and political issues that impact U.S. companies seeking Bank
procurements.
The afternoon sessions will be devoted to practical training on: (1)
Constructing a Winning Bid, (2) Obtaining MDB Money for Projects in Emerging
Markets, (3) Procurement of Goods and Civil Works, and (4) Procurement of
Consulting Services. The training sessions will be conducted by Susana
Florian, Senior Vice President with Parsons Brinckerhoff, William Delphos of
Delphos International, and Ignatius Santoso and Huang Yinguo of the Asian
Development Bank. The conference concludes at 5:00 p.m. with a networking
jazz reception in the World Trade Center’s Plimsoll Club.
The conference is designed for CEOs, owners, and decision-makers of U.S.
companies interested in competing for and winning new project and
procurement opportunities around the world. For registration and further
agenda information, click here.
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| Louisiana Economic Development and the New Orleans U.S. Export
Assistance Center are organizing a trade mission to participate in the Latin
American Petroleum Show (LAPS) in Maracaibo, Venezuela, with an add-on after
the show to Caracas for private meetings. The show dates are June 27-29; the
trade mission dates are June 25-June 30.
The Latin American Petroleum Show (LAPS) has been Venezuela’s premier oil
and gas show for over 25 years, attracting energy industry decision-makers
and executives from around the world and hosting audiences that number in
the thousands. LAPS is the ideal venue to learn about Venezuela’s ambitious
2006-2012 $56-billion hydrocarbons investment plan, as well as expand
Louisiana’s commercial presence in a market worth close to half a billion
dollars every year to U.S. exporters of oil and gas field machinery.
For more information, contact Rebeka Robertson with Louisiana Economic
Development at (225) 342-4318 or Delilah DeSouza with the New Orleans Export
Assistance Center at (504) 915-3301.
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| On Tuesday, April 18 the WTC and 10 other organizations are sponsoring
the annual C. Alvin Bertel Award luncheon program in the Plimsoll Club
honoring Capt. Michael Lorino, Jr., President of the Associated Branch
Pilots, for his contributions to the Greater New Orleans port area. To
register for the luncheon, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or click
here.
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| The World Trade Center is in the final stages of updating the 2006
Louisiana International Trade Directory. Jointly published by Louisiana
Economic Development, the Export Assistance Center, and the WTC, the
Directory is published annually and also posted on the WTC’s website with a
free link to listed companies’ websites. The Directory contains over 1,800
detailed listings of Louisiana exporters, importers, trade services, and
organizations. To see if your company is already listed, click
here. If your
company is based in Louisiana and is presently exporting or importing goods
or services and is not already listed in the Directory and you would like to
be listed at no charge, please complete the online form, or call the WTC at
(504) 529-1601, ext. 225 and request a Directory questionnaire. The
completed 2006 Directory will be ready in the beginning of April.
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| Exporting to China just got easier! China is a region of great
opportunity for all types of companies - not just large multinationals. The
China Business Information Center (BIC) takes the work out of gathering
international trade information, helps the U.S. exporter to evaluate export
readiness, pursue trade opportunities and achieve international business
objectives. See
www.export.gov/china for more information.
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| The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the U.S. Department of
Commerce is responsible for implementing and enforcing the Export
Administration Regulations (EAR), which regulate the export and re-export of
most commercial items. The items that BIS regulates are often referred to as
“dual-use” - items, those that have both commercial and military or
proliferation applications - but purely commercial items without an obvious
military use are also subject to the EAR. See more about export controls at
www.bis.doc.gov
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| Brazil is the 5th largest country and 12th largest market in the world,
with a population of 182 million and a GDP of $605 billion. Brazil imported
more than $13.8 billion worth of goods from the U.S. in 2005 making the U.S.
their largest trading partner. Numerous opportunities abound and best
prospects for U.S. exports to Brazil include agriculture; aircraft and
parts; computer software; energy; iron and steel; medical equipment; oil and
gas; and many more! Learn more about this market:
http://export.gov/comm_svc/press_room/marketofthemonth/Brazil/011006brazil.html |
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| The Export.gov Community is comprised of 19 federal agencies involved in
opening foreign markets and promoting the export of U.S. products and
services. These 19 federal agencies are known as the Trade Promotion
Coordinating Committee (TPCC). The Export.gov website is the TPCC’s gateway
for the U.S. public to access a broad range of export assistance, export
finance, and trade advocacy programs.
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| The First Annual International Business Career Fair will be held at
Loyola University New Orleans on Tuesday, April 4 and is an excellent
opportunity for local employers to meet talented, energetic, and
internationally-oriented prospective employees. Students from Loyola and
several other local universities who are interested in full-time, part-time
and internship opportunities will be attending the event.
The Career Fair will be preceded by a business panel, which is designed
to communicate the importance and availability of career opportunities in
international business to the students. The speakers are: James Dartez,
President of Royce Technologies; John Hyatt, Vice President of The Irwin
Brown Company; and Barrett Wilson, Vice President/ International, Whitney
National Bank.
Organized by LIBO (Loyola International Business Organization) in
cooperation with the World Trade Center, the Career Fair will take place in
the Orleans Room of the Danna Center at Loyola University. The registration
fee for participating companies is $75. Complimentary parking will be
provided for participating businesses. Each company will be provided ample
area to set up a booth. This will allow companies the opportunity to supply
information to the student pool and coordinate interviews with students. For
further information, visit
www.loyno.edu/~liborg/ or call Valerie Alombro or Mary Sue Oehlke at
(504) 864-7944.
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| Port of New Orleans President and CEO Gary LaGrange has announced that
Patrick J. Gallwey will become Chief Operating Officer of the Port of New
Orleans when Port COO Dave Wagner retires in June. Mr. Gallwey is a 26-year
veteran of the Port staff and is currently the Executive Assistant for
Administration. In addition to Gallwey’s promotion, LaGrange announced
several other changes in the Port’s executive organizational structure.
Wagner is retiring from the position he has held since 1989 after an
impressive 40-year career. Prior to his position as COO at the Port of New
Orleans, Wagner was the Executive Director of the Port of Baltimore for
three years. He also served as Deputy Secretary of Transportation for the
State of Maryland from 1984 to 1986, in addition to holding the position of
General Manager of the Mass Transit Administration of Maryland for several
years.
Gallwey joined the Port of New Orleans in 1980 and has been Executive
Assistant for Administration to the President and CEO since 1998, handling
management and administrative matters. Prior to this appointment, he served
as Director of Industrial Development for six years and as Director of
Planning and Engineering from 1989 through 1997. In this capacity he managed
all aspects of port transportation planning, facility development,
maintenance, terminal design and construction. From 1997 to 1998 Gallwey
served as Vice President of Maritime Operations handling the Port’s terminal
operations, marketing, and communications. Before joining the Port, he
served as Executive Assistant to the Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana. He
earned an M.S. Degree in Urban Studies from the University of New Orleans.
With this realignment of the Port’s organizational structure, the
following are the other executive staff: Ted Knight, Executive Assistant of
Operations; Clyde Mathis, Executive Assistant of Business Development and
Marketing; Kyle Goode, Special Assistant; Joseph Coccharia, Director of
Business Planning and Commercial Development; Paul Zimmerman, Director of
Operations; Cynthia Swain, Director of Administration; James Ruckert,
Director of Finance; Deborah Keller, Director of Port Development; Robert
Jumonville, Director of Cruise and Tourists; and Brien Gussoni, Jr.,
Director of Legal Services.
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- Indonesia: The Government of Indonesia invites bids for Engineering,
Procurement and Construction (EPC) for domestic gas market development
project.
- China: Chinese company seeks electrical desalter equipment for oil
refinery 10 million ton annual crude oil capacity.
- Cote d’Ivoire: Company seeks used Bell Helicopter
- Philippines: Philippine government seeks pipes, pumps, valves and
fittings
- Vietnam: Company seeks 2 sets of floating roofs for oil tanks.
For additional information, contact the New Orleans Export Assistance
Center at (504) 6546.
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| April 6 - PubNite: 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Melting Pot at 1820 St. Charles
Avenue.
April 12 - Great Decisions - Brazil: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Urban Cup Cafe,
4861 Magazine Street. The facilitator will be Dr. Miguel Caldas of Loyola
University’s College of Business Adminstration.
May 4 - PubNite: 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Crystal Lounge of Le Pavillon
Hotel at 833 Poydras Street.
For details on these events, visit the WAC/NO website at
www.wacno.org or call
(504) 523-2201.
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| Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) can assist your company to enter and
compete more easily in the global marketplace. Trade agreements help level
the international playing field and encourage foreign governments to adopt
open and transparent rulemaking procedures, as well as non-discriminatory
laws and regulations. FTAs help strengthen business climates by eliminating
or reducing tariff rates, improving intellectual property regulations,
opening government procurement opportunities, easing investment rules, and
much more. See more about FTAs at
www.export.gov/fta
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| The 2006 Gulf States World Trade Conference will be held April 5-7 at
the Hilton Garden Inn in Pensacola Beach. The theme is “Driving Economic
Growth in the Gulf States,” with a focus on the recently enacted
U.S.-Central American/Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA/DR).
Included will be presentations by U.S. trade officials, panel discussions,
and matchmaking sessions with the speakers. The speakers include: Hon.
Charles Ford, U.S. Ambassador to Honduras; Susan Story, Vice Chair of
Enterprise Florida, Inc. and CEO, Gulf Power Company; and Commercial
Counselors from U.S. embassies in several Latin American countries,
including: Daniel Thompson, Central America Regional Office, U.S. Embassy,
El Salvador; James McCarthy, U.S. Embassy, Costa Rica; Mitch G. Larsen, U.S.
Embassy, Guatemala; and Michael L. McGee, U.S. Embassy, Dominican Republic.
For details, contact the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce at (850)
438-4081, or visit
www.2006worldtradeconference.com.
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| With a population of 8.5 million, Serbia and Montenegro’s internal
market is among the largest in South East Europe. Serbia and Montenegro is
an importing market and consumer preferences are highly turned towards the
products originating from the United States and other developed countries.
In addition to the domestic market, export-oriented companies in Serbia and
Montenegro gain access to the South East Europe Free Trade Area market of 55
million people. Further, Serbia is the only country outside of the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) that enjoys a Free Trade Agreement
with Russia. Considering the complexity of the market, many U.S. companies
have found that as a market entry strategy, it is more efficient and less
costly to hire a good local agent or distributor than to conduct direct
sales. Best prospects for U.S. exports to Serbia and Montenegro include
computer hardware; telecommunications; airport and ground equipment;
insurance; medical equipment; energy; and agriculture. To learn more about
this market visit
www.buyusa.gov/yugoslavia/en
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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
If you are not currently on our mailing list, click here to fill out an on-line
subscription form for postal or email delivery.
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