Central American Reconstruction and Development

Reconstruction needs in Central America in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch are estimated at over $8 billion. The international community has committed over $7 billion in financing to support these needs. The Central American governments will discuss international funding for regional reconstruction during a May 25-28 Consultative Group meeting in Stockholm. The Consultative Group was established last December as a forum to coordinate the international community’s support of Central America. At the meeting in Stockholm, the Central American governments will discuss with the international donor community, including the U.S. Government, their master plans for post-Hurricane Mitch reconstruction. The June 11 workshop in New Orleans presents an opportunity for Louisiana companies to learn about these key discussions on reconstruction efforts. The U.S. business community will play an important role in the reconstruction and development of Central America. Significant commercial opportunities exist for Louisiana companies operating in general infrastructure (roads and bridges; power generation and distribution; urban construction; environment; water; tourism; telecommunications; port expansion/management; emergency preparedness equipment), finance, light manufacturing, and agribusiness. The U.S. is Central America’s most important trading partner and its largest foreign investor. In 1998, U.S. trade with Central America totaled $17.5 billion, more than tripling since 1990.

The U.S. Government’s response to Hurricane Mitch has been a multi-agency effort. To date, the United States has provided more than $300 million in immediate humanitarian relief aid for food, medicine, emergency shelter, and agricultural assistance. In addition, Congress has just approved and the President has signed legislation authorizing one billion dollars more to address the longer-term relief and rehabilitation needs in Central America.

The June 11 workshop is designed to help familiarize the private sector in Louisiana and neighboring states with U.S. Government efforts to support Central America’s economic reconstruction and to highlight commercial opportunities arising from these efforts.

WORKSHOP AGENDA

8:00 a.m. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AND REGISTRATION

9:00 a.m. WELCOMING REMARKS – Patricia C. Denechaud, President, World Trade Center

9:10 a.m. PANEL I PRESENTATIONS – U.S. POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES IN CENTRAL AMERICA

• The U.S.–Central American Relationship (U.S. Department of State)
• U.S. Relief and Reconstruction Efforts (U.S. Agency for International Development)
• U.S.–Central American Trade and Investment (U.S. Department of Commerce)

10:00 a.m. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

10:30 a.m. REFRESHMENT BREAK

10:45 a.m. PANEL II – GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT U.S. BUSINESS

• Financing U.S. Trade and Investment in Central America (Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Export-Import Bank)
• Infrastructure Reconstruction and the Role of the IDB (Inter-American Development Bank)
• Assistance for Small and Medium-Size Business (U.S. Small Business Administration)
• Special Assistance for LA, MS, & ARK companies (New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center)

11:45 a.m. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

12:15 p.m. LUNCHEON FEATURING SENIOR OFFICIALS from HONDURAS & NICARAGUA – Remarks by Julio Guichard, City of New Orleans, about the plans for New Orleans to host the annual meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank in March 2000

2:00 p.m. INFORMAL ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS WITH THE MORNING SPEAKERS

3:00 p.m. ADJOURN

Louisiana Sponsors

Basic Environmental Services

The Center for Reconstruction & Development
City of New Orleans, Office of International Trade

New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center

Hibernia National Bank

Louisiana Department of Economic Development

MetroVision Economic Development Partnership

Waldemar S. Nelson & Company, Inc.

Whitney National Bank

World Trade Center of New Orleans

In Cooperation With