The World Trade Center of New Orleans originally launched 1st Stop for International Business Services to help international companies seeking trade and investment opportunities in June 2006 as part of the rebuilding and economic recovery taking place in southern Louisiana after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. 1st Stop provides access to statewide business and economic development information and contacts. Local university student interns and WTC members from the business community assist WTC staff in the operation of 1st Stop, which is being undertaken in cooperation with Louisiana Economic Development and the Louisiana International Trade Center/SBDC. The 1st Stop program has created this website to assist companies interested in doing business in the state of Louisiana. The Business Resources link will take you to an interactive page displaying pertinent information ranging from getting started or expanding business in Louisiana to importing or exporting products through one of the state's many ports of entry. The Categories Index link features news articles, web resources and databases filed into 34 distinct categories.