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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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NORTH/CENTRAL LOUISIANA BUSINESS MISSION TO MEXICO
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AUSTRALIAN
TRADE MISSION TO BE FEATURED ON AUGUST 24
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NATIONAL DISTRICT EXPORT COUNCIL CONFERENCE
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FOUR-SESSION EXPORT/IMPORT SEMINAR IN NEW ORLEANS
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WORLD
AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF NEW ORLEANS EVENTS
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FACC TO
HOLD GOURMET DINNER ON AUGUST 10
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WTCA GENERAL
ASSEMBLY TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL IN FALL
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DUTCH MARITIME GROUP OPENS NEW ORLEANS OFFICE
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U.S. COMMERCE DEPARTMENT TRADE MISSION TO INDIA
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MEXICO TRADE LEADS
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CANADA
OPPORTUNITY FOR POTENTIAL PARTNERS
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WTC
FALL LANGUAGE CLASSES TO BEGIN AUGUST 14
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RECENT PRESENTATIONS AT WTC POSTED ON WEBSITE
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THE CULTURE CHRONICLES
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INTERN
OPPORTUNITIES WITH INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER
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| Louisiana Economic Development, the U.S. Commercial Service, and a group
of northwest and central Louisiana organizations are sponsoring an Export
and Reverse Investment Mission to Monterrey and Mexico City October 15-20.
The agenda includes briefings in both cities by U.S. Commercial Service
staff; individual Gold Key appointments with prospective agents,
distributors, and other business partners; and evening receptions with
senior Mexican government officials and members of the business community. A
maximum of 15 companies will be able to participate on a first-come,
first-served basis. Interested companies should contact Pat Holt, Director
of the Shreveport Export Assistance Center, at (318) 676-3064 or email
patricia.holt@mail.doc.gov.
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the best markets for U.S.
goods and services in Mexico include:
1) Automotive Parts and Supplies
2) Electronic Components
3) Energy Sector
4) Airport and Ground Support Equipment
5) Travel and Tourism Services
6) Plastic Materials/Resins
7) Telecommunications Equipment
8) Environmental Sector
9) Low-Income Housing and Rapid/Prefab Construction
10) Security and Safety Equipment/Services
11) Hotel and Restaurant Equipment
12) Intermodal Transportation Equipment
13) Education and Training Services
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| The Australian Trade Commission in Washington, the World Trade Center,
Louisiana Economic Development, and other organizations will hold a luncheon
seminar in the WTC’s Plimsoll Club in New Orleans on Thursday, August 24 on
“Doing Business with Australia.” A delegation of Australian companies will
be present, whose members are focused on housing, disaster recovery and
disaster management and infrastructure and will describe their expertise in
those sectors. Following the luncheon, the company representatives will be
available to meet one-on-one with interested Louisiana business men and
women who would like to discuss the opportunities for doing business
together. Australia has extensive experience preparing for and responding to
storms. Most recently, Cyclone Larry struck the state of Queensland. The
names and information about the participating Australian companies, as well
as registration information about the August 24 luncheon program, will be
posted soon on the WTC website.
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| The Louisiana District Export Council (DEC), in conjunction with the
Alabama, Mississippi and North Louisiana DECs and the U.S. Commercial
Service, will host the October 30-November 1, 2006 National District Export
Council Conference in New Orleans at the InterContinental Hotel. This year’s
conference will address relevant and timely topics such as overcoming trade
challenges; government assistance; due diligence; trade tax; trade
marketing, and finance and logistics.
According to the New Orleans Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, restaurants,
hotels, and tourist services are mostly in full operation downtown, where
the DEC Conference will be held, but travel experts offer a few tips to
ensure your trip to the city is hassle-free. Book your flights early, since
the number of flights in and out of New Orleans are fewer than before
Katrina.
Registration for the 2006 DEC conference and hotel accommodations are in
full swing at
www.decconference.com. The cost is $395 until September 30. A special
conference rate has been reserved at the InterContinental Hotel. The web is
continually updated with conference agenda and topics. Visit the conference
website today and start planning for the best DEC Conference yet.
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| The Louisiana International Trade Center/Small Business Development
Center, located in the World Trade Center in New Orleans, will offer a
four-part Export/Import Seminar September 19, 21, 26, and 28 from 12:30 p.m.
to 5:00 p.m. This intensive program targets companies and individuals
interested in international trade. Seminar topics include: Export/Import
Strategies and Market Research, Pricing, Terms, Quotations and Customs Entry
Procedures, International Banking, Financing, Marketing, Transportation, and
Documentation. Upon completion of the program, participants are presented
with a certificate from the University of New Orleans. The cost for the
seminar is $160 per registrant ($120 for World Trade Center members and
full-time students with proof of enrollment). For more information about the
program, visit
www.uno.edu/litc or call (504) 568-8222.
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| August 3 - PubNite 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Wyndham Hotel at Canal
Place, 100 Rue Iberville.
August 9 - Great Decisions: Human Rights in an Age of Terrorism, 7:00
p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Urban Cup Cafe, 4861 Magazine Street (www.urbancupcafe.com).
The facilitator will be William E. Rittenberg, attorney-at-law.
For additional information on these events, visit the World Affairs
Council website at
www.wacno.org or call (504) 523-2001.
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| The French American Chamber of Commerce, Louisiana Chapter will hold its
first “Rendez-vous Gourmand” at Dominique’s Restaurant on Thursday, August
10 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Participants will enjoy a three-course
gourmet feast with carefully selected wines to accompany each course.
Dominique's restaurant is located in the Maison Dupuy Hotel at 1001 Rue
Toulouse in the French Quarter. Dominique’s has been awarded the
Distinguished DiRoNA Award for 2005. Only 800 restaurants in North America
have received this coveted award. The price per person for the Rendezvous
Gourmand is $75, with tax, gratuity, and free validated parking included.
Seating is limited. To register for the event, contact the FACC at (504)
561-0070.
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| The World Trade Centers Association will hold its 2006 General Assembly
in Istanbul from October 29 through November 1. Because these events are
always so well-organized by the local WTC and the WTCA, there is no "travel
package" from New Orleans. Those interested in attending will travel to
Istanbul on their own itinerary. Once participants arrive in Istanbul,
nearly everything is included in the low registration fee of $400 for the
entire General Assembly, including three matchmaking business appointments
with Turkish companies (hotel rooms are an additional cost, as are
additional matchmaking appointments beyond three). The General Assembly will
be held in the Swissotel, and there are other excellent nearby hotels to
choose from as well. WTC New Orleans is encouraging its members to sign up
directly with WTC Istanbul. Prior to the departure date, the WTC New Orleans
will coordinate a meeting of the New Orleans delegation so that everyone may
meet up during the Assembly. (Anyone who is not already a WTC member is
encouraged to join the organization; membership information is available at
by clicking here.)
In addition, soon after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast last year,
the WTCA Board of Directors unanimously voted to hold the WTCA’s 2007
General Assembly in New Orleans to demonstrate the WTCA's support of New
Orleans' recovery efforts in the aftermath of Katrina, as well as the
confidence all WTCs worldwide place in restoring longstanding trading ties
with the city, the port, and business enterprises in New Orleans and
elsewhere along the Gulf Coast. WTC New Orleans therefore hopes to have a
strong presence at the meeting in Istanbul to demonstrate its appreciation
to all the members of the Association.
To register for the WTCA General Assembly, visit
http://www.wtca2006istanbul.org/reg_1.aspx. If you have any questions
about the General Assembly in Istanbul, please contact Susannah Coolidge at
scoolidge@wtcno.org or at (504)
529-1601, ext. 222.
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| In an effort to build reefer, dry cargo and special projects business in
the United States, Rotterdam-based van Weelde Chartering has launched a new
company and office in New Orleans. The firm, van Weelde Chartering USA, LLC,
is the first U.S. presence for the Dutch firm, a sister company to Orient
Shipping Rotterdam, which manages a fleet of 25 bulk carriers with
capacities between 10,000 and 65,000 tons.
The company’s new office is located at 201 St. Charles Avenue, Suite
2537. The office officially opened July 3 and is run by Covington, Louisiana
native Ben Blanchard, the company’s U.S. chartering and operations manager.
Blanchard worked for the company in Holland for two years and suggested the
firm base an office in New Orleans to act as a liaison to U.S. customers.
“We wanted an office that concentrates on dry cargo and project cargo in
the Gulf of Mexico region and New Orleans seemed like a natural fit - it is
the gateway to America and a major U.S. port” said Robert Frederiks,
president of van Weelde Chartering.
The chartering company is no stranger to New Orleans. It has heavy
interests in the poultry industry and has worked with New Orleans Cold
Storage, a long-time Port of New Orleans tenant, for more than a decade.
Gary LaGrange, president and CEO of the Port of New Orleans, said van
Weelde Chartering’s decision shows its commitment to the Port and the
region. “We’re thrilled the firm chose New Orleans to base its overseas
operations,” LaGrange said. “We will work closely with van Weelde officials
to build business and ensure their success.”
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| U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce Franklin J. Lavin will lead a business
development mission to India from November 29 through December 5. The
mission will include three activity segments. A qualified firm can sign up
separately for any of these--or for all three components. First, mission
members can participate in an India Business Summit slated for Mumbai (once
known as Bombay) on November 29-30. Second, there will be a day of
individualized business appointments in Mumbai on December 1 for those who
are interested. Third, qualified participants may take part in one of six
spin-off missions to Bangalore, Chennai (formerly Madras), Hyderabad,
Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), New Delhi, or Mumbai on December 4-5.
Recruitment for this Commerce Department business mission is now underway.
India is the world’s fastest-growing free-market democracy and presents
lucrative opportunities for many types of U.S. firms. To learn more about
this business mission, visit
www.export.gov/indiamission.
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| Grupo Nestlé Mexico S. A de C.V., headquartered in Mexico City, operates
a network of 30 factories, distribution centers and other types of
facilities in Mexico. Grupo Nestlé wishes to procure the following: Safety
and Security services for their facilities throughout Mexico: Facilities
Surveillance, Emergency Response, Surveillance of Local Cargo
Transportation, Security Guards, Access Control Systems: CCTV/Alarms and
Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Communications and Documents Inspection,
CCTV Inspection and Information Storage, Civil Security and Emergency
Preparedness, Smart Cards Access Control, Parking Lot Areas Surveillance,
Upgrading of Electronic Security Systems, Inspection of Mail and Courier
Deliveries, Employees Surveillance, Vehicles Inspection, Surveillance and
Counter Surveillance System. Service and product information of interested
companies should be submitted to Nestle by August 31, 2006. Contact the New
Orleans Export Assistance Center at 504-589-6546 for more information.
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| Green Energy 2006 is Atlantic Canada’s largest showcase and
presentations industry event devoted to renewable energy products and
services including wind, geothermal, solar, and biomass. This premiere event
is being held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, September 20 to promote the latest
products and technologies for both small and medium-size commercial and
large residential energy consumers. The U.S. Commercial Service will be on
hand as an event partner with a variety of services for U.S. companies. Find
out more at
www.energyconsultant.ca/greenenergy2006.php or by calling Richard.
Vinson@mail.doc.gov, National
Sector Coordinator, Environ-mental Industries at (902) 429-2482.
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| The World Trade Center’s fall session of foreign language classes,
conducted by the faculty of Alpha Tech Language Solutions, will start the
week of August 14. The emphasis is on business usage and conversation. The
session will last 10 weeks: classes will meet twice a week for one hour per
class. The following languages will be offered: French, Spanish, German,
Italian, and Japanese. Tuition is $250 for WTC members and their spouses,
and $495 for non-members. (Registration and materials cost $60 per person.)
Free parking is available in the WTC Garage. For information, call Alpha
Tech at (504) 454-6554.
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| The World Trade Center posts speeches and PowerPoint presentations from
its trade programs on the WTC's website at
www.wtcno.org/speakers.
Recent postings include the following: “Doing Business in Colombia”
featuring a group of 61 executives from the Cali region, held on July 19; a
speech by H.R.H. Prince Turki Al-Faisal, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia to the United States, delivered on July 12; and “Doing Business in
Brazil” featuring Frank G. Carrico, Principal Commercial Officer, U.S.
Commercial Service, S‹o Paulo, held on June 22.
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| What key cultural clashes are shaping American society today? Find out
in “The Culture Chronicles,” a new monthly electronic newsletter produced by
Culturelink Press. It is a useful way to keep up to date on the latest
cultural trends in the U.S. and stay abreast of cultural debates in other
parts of the world. You can subscribe at no charge at
www.culturelinkpress.com. Following is an interesting excerpt from the
August issue about the use of the euro and the dollar.
--- Which Countries Use the Euro or the U.S. Dollar?
The euro is the currency of twelve European Union member states: Austria,
Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, the Republic of Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. Monaco, San Marino, and
the Vatican City, which formerly used the French franc or the Italian lira
as their currency, now use the euro as their currency and are licensed to
mint their own euro coins in small amounts, even though they are not EU
states.
All euro coins have a common side showing the coin’s value and a national
side showing a national hero or symbol. For example, the monarchies often
have a picture of their reigning monarch, other countries have their
national symbols. All the different coins can be used in all the
participating member states: for example, a euro coin showing a Spanish king
can be used not only in Spain but in any member country using the euro.
--- The U.S. Dollar
Three Latin American countries use the U.S. dollar besides several small
island countries. If a Latin American country has recently changed its legal
tender to U.S. dollars, the process is usually called the “dollarization,”
because its main objective is not political integration, as it is in Europe,
but to control the country’s inflation.
The following countries use the U.S. dollar: Ecuador (since 2000), Panama
(1904) and El Salvador (since 2001). However, these countries use their own
national coins. Panama uses the balboa and in Salvador the colon, but in
Ecuador, the coins look just like the U.S. penny, nickel, dime and quarter
in size and color but on one side, there is an Ecuadorian hero or national
symbol. These coins are not accepted in the U.S. Also in Ecuador, the golden
Sacagawea $1.00 coin is widely used.
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| The Small Business Development Center/Louisiana International Trade
Center, located in the World Trade Center, is currently seeking interns to
start work immediately on projects related to international market research
and business development. While the internship is unpaid, interns will gain
valuable experience and also have an opportunity to attend at no charge an
18-hour Export/Import Seminar focusing on international market research,
international banking and finance, documentation and transportation, and
international legal matters. Interns are required to work between 16 and 20
hours a week. If interested, contact and send a résumé via e-mail to Ruperto
Chavarri, Program Director, LITC at
rchavarr@uno.edu or call (504) 568-8222 for more information.
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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.
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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