|
|
Subscribe
|
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 |
View the printer-friendly version (pdf
format) by clicking here.
You will need Acrobat Reader to open this file. If you do
not have it already installed on your computer, you can download it for
free by clicking here. |
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-
LOUISIANA TRADE MISSION TO HONDURAS AND COSTA RICA
-
SEMINAR ON EXPORTING TO BE HELD IN BATON ROUGE
-
PRESIDENT OF SHELL OIL COMPANY TO SPEAK AT WTC
-
WTCA
GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMING TO NEW ORLEANS
-
FIRST-HALF 2007 LOUISIANA EXPORTS TOP $13 BILLION
-
WTC PREPARING
DIRECTORY OF NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
-
NEW
CONSUL GENERAL OF SPAIN ASSUMES DUTIES IN NEW ORLEANS
-
OCTOBER 4 PROGRAM ON NEGOTIATING TIPS FOR WOMEN
-
EXPORT
PROMOTION MAGAZINE OFFERS $500 AD DISCOUNTS
|
|
| The State of Louisiana and the Louisiana District Export Council, in
conjunction with the World Trade Center and other regional organizations,
invite Louisiana companies to participate on a business development trade
mission to Honduras and Costa Rica November 12-17.
The U.S. Commercial Service offices in New Orleans, Honduras and Costa
Rica are supporting LADEC’s effort by promoting the program and organizing
events and appointments for the trade mission participants in both
countries. The mission offers U.S. companies, associations, and government
agencies a timely, cost-effective way to take advantage of exceptional
export and other business opportunities in these fast-growing markets.
With Central America being the 13th largest export market for U.S.
products, exports to Honduras have grown 15% to $3.8 billion since CAFTA/DR
has taken effect, while exports to Costa Rica have increased by 15% from
2005 to 2006. The U.S. - Central America/Dominican Republic Free Trade
Agreement (CAFTA-DR) has lowered tariffs on U.S. goods destined for all but
one of those markets, with a referendum to be voted on in Costa Rica next
month. Other advantages and opportunities for Louisiana companies are the
state’s growing population with cultural and family ties to Central America,
the proximity to the state, and the receptivity to U.S. products, services,
and brand names.
The best prospects are in the tourism and educational sectors, as well as
providers of consumer goods and services including: Agricultural Chemicals,
Automotive Parts and Service Equipment, Computers and Peripherals,
Construction Equipment and Materials, Electric Power Generation and
Distribution Equipment, Food Processing and Packaging Equipment, Hotel and
Restaurant Equipment, Medical Equipment, Paper and Paper Board Materials and
Supplies, Plastic Materials and Resins, Security and Safety Equipment and
Services, and Telecommunication Equipment, Materials and Supplies.
Mission participants will benefit from country briefings, one-on-one
appointments with prospective business contacts, high-level meetings with
government officials, and numerous networking opportunities. For details on
the mission, please contact the Louisiana District Export Council at (504)
589-6703 or email
marisol.canedo@mail.doc.gov.
|
|
|
| The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), the Louisiana
District Export Council (LADEC), and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s
Export Assistance Center (USEAC) have teamed up to host the 4th annual
international trade seminar on “Exporting the Right Way” on Tuesday,
September 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the LABI Conference Center in
Baton Rouge.
Representatives from UPS, JPMorgan Chase, the U.S. Department of
Commerce/U.S. Commercial Service, the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance
Center, and the U.S. Small Business Administration will provide information
on their respective programs. Attendees will learn about various support
programs available to exporters and hear first-hand international trade
experiences from business owners.
Seminar participants also will gain valuable information on how to
develop successful export strategies. Three exporters will provide detailed
information on the keys to successful international sales by experiencing
the Gold Key Service, using the International Company Profile Service, and
participating in trade shows. Other speakers will cover sources of export
financing, new changes to a letter of credit for international sales, and
export credit insurance as a sales and financing tool.
Commerce Department officials will outline the trade services provided by
the U.S. Commercial Service abroad. Regional directors representing the
East/Asia Pacific and Westeren Hemisphere regions will provide insights on
why it is important to do business internationally. Trade specialists will
discuss new export technologies and key factors related to documentation and
shipping internationally. Attendees will also learn about UPS international
services on export controls and how to minimize risk and maximize cash flow
related to importing and exporting products.
UPS, JPMorgan Chase, Capital One, Louisiana Economic Development, the
Port of Greater Baton Rouge and Whitney National Bank are sponsoring this
year’s seminar, in cooperation with the Louisiana Business and Technology
Center, Louisiana Small Business Development Center, Manufacturing Extension
Partnership of Louisiana (MEPOL), and the U.S. Small Business Administration
(SBA).
The cost for the seminar is $30. Pre-registration is required. For
registration information, contact Robin Adams at LABI at (225) 928-5388,
ext. 245 or via email at robina@labi.org.
|
|
|
| On Tuesday, September 18 the World Trade Center, and other organizations
will sponsor a luncheon program in the WTC’s Plimsoll Club on “How the U.S.
Can Ensure Energy Supply for the Future” featuring John Hofmeister,
President of Shell Oil Company. In this position Mr. Hofmeister heads the
U.S. Country Leadership Team, which includes the leaders of all Shell
businesses operating in the United States.
John Hofmeister was named President of Houston-based Shell Oil Company in
March 2005. He became President after serving as Group Human Resource
Director of the Shell Group, based in The Hague, The Netherlands. A business
leader who has observed and participated in the inner workings of general
industries for more than 30 years, Mr. Hofmeister has held key positions in
General Electric, Nortel, and AlliedSignal (now Honeywell International), in
addition to Shell.
To register for the September 18 luncheon, call the WTC at (504)
529-1601, ext. 222, or click
here.
|
|
|
| WTC New Orleans will host the World Trade Centers Association’s 2007
General Assembly on October 21-24. This prestigious global event is coming
to New Orleans for the first time in the Association’s 37-year history. The
Association is comprised of nearly 300 WTCs in 85 countries, with WTC New
Orleans being the first, having been founded in 1943.
The annual General Assembly is the Association’s most important event. It
is the only time each year when the entire membership is invited to come
together, for an exciting four-day program of meetings, business
appointments, and cultural events. In 2005 the Assembly was held in
Shanghai, China, and in 2006 in Istanbul, Turkey.
Louisiana companies interested in attending the General Assembly are
encouraged to promptly register for this opportunity to develop new personal
and business relationships worldwide.
Full particulars about the General Assembly, the agenda, matchmaking
opportunities, evening culural events, tours, registration, and other
information are available at
www.wtca2007.com.
If you have any questions about any aspect of the event, contact Eugene
Schreiber at (504) 529-1601, ext. 227, or via e-mail at
eschreiber@wtcno.org.
|
|
|
|
Louisiana's worldwide merchandise exports, which set a record in 2006 after
slowing in 2005 due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, topped $13.4 billion in the
first six months of 2007, an increase of 20.7 percent in value over the
January-June 2006 period, according to a report issued today by the World Trade
Center of New Orleans. The state’s exports reached $23.5 billion for all of
2006. Louisiana's export growth for the first six months of the year was almost
double the overall U.S. rate of 10.6 percent.
Agricultural products, chemicals, petroleum and coal, processed foods, and
industrial machinery continued to rank as Louisiana's top five export sectors in
the first half of 2007, four of which registered double-digit percentage gains
over the same period in 2006. The state's principal export markets were Japan,
Mexico, China, Canada, and the Netherlands.
The WTC report was generated by the World Institute of Strategic Economic
Research (WISER) from U.S. Census Bureau data. It covers the exports of both
Louisiana originating products and some major commingled bulk commodities
(especially grain and coal) produced in other states that are shipped abroad
from Louisiana's ports and recorded as Louisiana exports because of the
difficulty of identifying the actual states of origin.
The value of export shipments of agricultural products through Louisiana’s
lower Mississippi River ports – which account for over 50 percent of U.S. grain
exports – was especially strong in the first six months of 2007, with $5.5
billion, a 34.5 percent increase.
"The state's first half results, coming after last year's record-breaking
export performance, is a good sign, with significant increases in dollar value
in eight of the top ten categories," said Larry Collins, Director of
International Services with Louisiana Economic Development. "The global economy
is doing well and we expect to see Louisiana's foreign trade keeping pace with
it."
After agricultural products, Louisiana's largest exports during the
January-June 2007 period were chemicals ($2.5 billion, a 1.5 percent decrease),
petroleum and coal products ($2.3 billion, a 27 percent increase), processed
foods ($1.2 billion, a 13 percent increase), and industrial machinery ($398.9
million, a 27.1 percent increase).
"Many of the state's exporters are showing across the board increases," said
Donald van de Werken, Director of the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center.
"The demand worldwide for Louisiana goods and services continues, with the
Central American markets offering special opportunities close to home because of
the U.S./CAFTA free trade agreement."
Japan continued to be the number one market for Louisiana exports in the
first half of 2007 with $1.50 billion (a 31 percent increase over 2006),
followed by Mexico ($1.46 billion), China ($1.05 billion), Canada ($950
million), and the Netherlands ($636 million).
"The opportunities have never been better for Louisiana companies in both
exporting and importing," said Eugene Schreiber, Managing Director of the World
Trade Center. "The state's export results in recent years, despite Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita, speak for themselves, while the potential right now for
importing related to rebuilding in housing, construction, home furnishings,
environmental technology, and other needed goods and services is practically
unlimited."
Among all states, Louisiana ranked 11th. Texas, California, and New York
continued to be the top three exporting states. Total U.S. exports in the first
half of 2007 were $559.9 billion, a 10.6 percent increase over the first six
months of 2006.
The
following three charts summarize the data
reported above.
Trade reports that provide information on 32 industry
categories of Louisiana exports (NAICS) and 97 commodities (HS) to more than 200 countries worldwide, as well as
export totals of other U.S. states, are available on the WTC’s website by
clicking the links below.
Louisiana Exports by Country
(US $, NAICS Database)
|
|
Description |
Q2 2006 YTD |
Q2 2007 YTD |
% Change |
|
|
Total all Countries |
11,069,581,286 |
13,361,361,654 |
20.7 |
|
1 |
Japan |
1,143,453,054 |
1,497,496,151 |
31.0 |
|
2 |
Mexico |
1,135,843,602 |
1,455,697,106 |
28.2 |
|
3 |
China |
1,052,733,208 |
1,045,980,573 |
-0.6 |
|
4 |
Canada |
958,391,190 |
949,798,740 |
-0.9 |
|
5 |
Netherlands |
383,741,013 |
635,913,318 |
65.7 |
|
6 |
Egypt |
295,872,263 |
556,338,306 |
88.0 |
|
7 |
Colombia |
281,413,720 |
399,802,253 |
42.1 |
|
8 |
South
Korea |
437,492,302 |
355,857,701 |
-18.7 |
|
9 |
Guatemala |
148,743,349 |
284,899,138 |
91.5 |
|
10 |
Panama |
108,893,222 |
267,964,579 |
146.1 |
Louisiana Exports by Industry
(US $, NAICS Database)
|
|
Description |
Q2 2006 YTD |
Q2 2007 YTD |
% Change |
|
|
Total all Industries |
11,069,581,286 |
13,361,361,654 |
20.7 |
|
1 |
Agricultural Products |
4,105,823,428 |
5,523,154,125 |
34.5 |
|
2 |
Chemicals |
2,535,752,635 |
2,496,841,846 |
-1.5 |
|
3 |
Petroleum And Coal Products |
1,841,052,556 |
2,338,545,822 |
27.0 |
|
4 |
Food
And Kindred Products |
1,017,846,487 |
1,149,643,377 |
13.0 |
|
5 |
Machinery, Except Electrical |
313,812,945 |
398,931,987 |
27.1 |
|
6 |
Transportation Equipment |
361,835,350 |
381,564,734 |
5.5 |
|
7 |
Waste
And Scrap |
77,827,578 |
183,576,472 |
135.9 |
|
8 |
Paper |
129,371,365 |
173,658,828 |
34.2 |
|
9 |
Primary Metal Manufacturing |
173,033,564 |
110,044,822 |
-36.4 |
|
10 |
Computer And Electronic Products |
74,512,061 |
91,664,615 |
23.0 |
U.S.
Exports by State
(US $, NAICS Database)
|
|
Description |
Q2 2006 YTD |
Q2 2007 YTD |
% Change |
|
|
Total all States |
506,177,169,476 |
559,944,643,708 |
10.6 |
|
1 |
Texas |
71,969,685,037 |
80,562,320,014 |
11.9 |
|
2 |
California |
62,987,422,566 |
64,981,849,724 |
3.2 |
|
3 |
New
York |
27,667,171,996 |
33,927,665,986 |
22.6 |
|
4 |
Washington |
25,155,167,221 |
30,269,691,865 |
20.3 |
|
5 |
Illinois |
20,557,319,118 |
23,659,870,786 |
15.1 |
|
6 |
Michigan |
20,868,484,062 |
22,209,956,923 |
6.4 |
|
7 |
Florida |
18,545,841,514 |
21,602,813,976 |
16.5 |
|
8 |
Ohio |
18,239,006,945 |
20,135,867,700 |
10.4 |
|
9 |
New
Jersey |
13,061,754,780 |
15,179,137,653 |
16.2 |
|
10 |
Pennsylvania |
12,647,569,458 |
14,266,494,711 |
12.8 |
|
11 |
Louisiana |
11,069,581,286 |
13,361,361,654 |
20.7 |
Data from U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Division provided by World Institute
for Strategic Economic Research (WISER)
All data Origin of Movement Series
|
|
|
| The World Trade Center is in the process of compiling a detailed list of
construction projects planned or underway throughout the state in connection
with the rebuilding and economic recovery in the aftermath of Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita. The WTC is seeking the assistance of project developers
and economic development agencies in this effort.
Student interns working with the WTC’s 1st Stop for International
Business Services (www.wtcno.org/1ststop),
in cooperation with Louisiana Economic Development, Greater New Orleans
Inc., and other organizations, are now in the process of preparing a
“Directory of Louisiana Construction Projects” to include projects that are
in the planning or development stage, whether they be new ones or in the
rebuilding or renovation phase. The list includes residential housing
projects, apartment and condo developments, office buildings, stores and
shopping malls, hotels, levees and floodwalls, roads, port facilities,
schools, hospitals, churches, industrial and other projects of all types.
If your company or any other entity you know has a project and would like
to list it free of charge in the new Directory, please complete and submit
the brief online form at
www.wtcno.org/projects/projects-form. The Directory will be
available and posted on the WTC website in late September (www.wtcno.org).
Trade Bulletin readers are encouraged to access it to pursue new business
opportunities in any of the areas noted above.
The Directory will include contact information for each project,
estimated dollar value, the status, timing, needed inputs (such as
financing), and other relevant information of interest to prospective U.S.
and foreign investors, joint venture partners, contractors, engineering
firms, and suppliers of building materials and other goods, services,
technologies, labor, and capital.
The Directory will be widely distributed electronically, including to all
of the nearly 300 World Trade Centers in 85 countries that service more than
750,000 businesses engaged in international commerce. It also will be
distributed to the delegates attending the 2007 General Assembly of the
World Trade Centers Association to be held in New Orleans October 21-24.
If you have any questions about the new Directory of Louisiana Projects,
please contact Chad Odom, Manager of 1st Stop for International Business
Services, at (504) 529-1601, ext 262 or
codom@wtcno.org.
|
|
|
| Mr. Daniel Chamorro Garcia is the newly-arrived Consul General of Spain
in New Orleans, with offices in the World Trade Center. Consul General
Chamorro most recently served as the Spanish Consul General in Monterrey,
Mexico, and previously held positions as Deputy Chief of Mission at the
Embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay; Cabinet Director of the International
Cooperation Institute in Madrid; Deputy Chief of Mission of the Spanish
Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica; Director of International Relations of Expo
92 in Seville, Spain; Economic and Commercial Affairs Counselor of the
Spanish Embassy in Quito, Ecuador; and Economic and Commercial Counselor in
The Hague, Netherlands.
|
|
|
| On Thursday, October 4, the WTC and other organizations will sponsor a
luncheon program in the Plimsoll Club on “The Art of Negotiating: What Every
Woman Should Know” conducted by Liz Tahir, a negotiations expert and
consultant. Highlights of the presentation will include: the three-step
approach to more successful communications; recognizing the power you have;
how to be alert to tactics and ploys used against you; and the secret weapon
of “Power Negotiators.”
Liz Tahir is an accomplished negotiator, whose varied experience has
included arranging multimillion dollar deals in corporate boardrooms to
bargaining over the price of a brass bauble in an Istanbul bazaar. A former
corporate executive for a regional retail group, she is now, after
establishing Liz Tahir & Associates in 1990, a marketing consultant,
conference speaker, and business writer. Her expertise in the international
marketplace has made her keenly aware of cross-cultural negotiating in
today’s global economy.
To register for the October 4 program, click
here or call (504) 529-1601,
ext. 234.
|
|
|
| Commercial News USA, the official export promotion magazine of the U.S.
Department of Commerce, is planning a special Gulf Opportunity (GO) Zone
Global Business Guide as part of its November/December 2007 issue. Exporters
in areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita can take advantage of a
special $500 discount on any size ad. That means exporters can reach 176
markets worldwide for as little as $395 for an ad. Also, members of the
World Trade Center of New Orleans will receive an additional $100 off any
discounted rates. (WTC members should call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext.
222 to receive the discount code.)
Full and half-page advertisers have the option of a discounted rate on a
single page or a 2-for-1 offer that includes a free full or half-page for an
advertorial write up. Rates are net. The guide is being produced in
partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service, part of the U.S. Commerce
Department, and will provide an opportunity for exporters to promote their
products, services and investment opportunities to 400,000 readers
worldwide. To reserve your space in Commercial News USA, please call (800)
581-8533 by September 14 or e-mail the U.S. Department of Commerce at
gozone@thinkglobal.us.
|
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.
|
