WTC TO HOST AFRICA BUSINESS FORUM ON NOVEMBER 11

On Thursday, November 11 the World Trade Center, International Arts Foundation, New Orleans South African Connection, and other organizations will sponsor a Business Forum on Africa from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the WTC in New Orleans. The morning session will feature an overview of the African scene by Amb. Joseph Sullivan, former U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe and Angola. Additional morning panel topics include: "Experiences of Louisiana Companies in Africa; Importing From Africa and the Benefits of AGOA (African Growth & Opportunity Act); and Trade and Project Financing in African Markets."

The final morning panel discussion on "The Importance of Cross-Cultural Understanding in the African Business World" will be moderated by Donna A. Patterson, Professor of History & African Studies at Dillard University, and also includes Ramiro and Jo‹o Mendes, Executive Directors, CaboVerdeMania & AngolaMania, in Boston; Cyril Neville of The Neville Brothers, New Orleans; and Shadow Twala, CEO of Khano Events & Entertainment in Cape Town, South Africa. The keynote luncheon speakers are Eric Apelgren, Director of International and Government Relations for the City of Durban, South Africa; and H.E. JosŽ Brito, Ambassador of the Republic of Cape Verde to the U.S.

To register for the November 11 African forum, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or click here.

NOVEMBER 17 LUNCHEON SEMINAR ON BUSINESS IN HUNGARY

On Wednesday, November 17 the World Trade Center, the Hungarian Investment and Development Agency, and other organizations will sponsor a luncheon seminar from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. at the WTC’s Plimsoll Club on "Hungary: The Profitable Way Into Europe" featuring H.E. Andr‡s Simonyi, Ambassador of Hungary to the U.S.; Trade Commissioner Barnabas Nemeth; and Robert Kneupfer; Jr., an attorney with Baker & McKenzie and former managing partner of the firm’s Budapest office. To register for the seminar, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or click here.

Over the years, Hungary has become a recognized center for global business, trade, and investment. The country is home to key operations for 323 of the Fortune 500, including GE, GM, IBM, Alcoa, Ford, Hewlett Packard, Nokia, Audi, and Sony. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Hungary has steadily developed into one of Central Europe’s most attractive business environments, and the level of political, structural, and economic stability it has achieved demonstrates the success of its transition to a modern market economy.

Before becoming Hungarian Ambassador to the United States in 2002, Amb. Simonyi ran Danison Ltd., a private consulting firm. In 1999 he became the first Hungarian Permanent Representative on the NATO Council and served in that capacity until 2001. From 1995 to 1999 Amb. Simonyi headed the Hungarian NATO Liaison Office in Brussels. He has held various positions with the Hungarian Foreign Ministry since 1989. He speaks English, Danish, German, Dutch, and French.

NOVEMBER 3 INCOTERMS TRAINING AT WTC

The World Trade Center, Louisiana International Trade Center/SBDC, and other organizations are sponsoring a seminar on "Using INCOTERMS Correctly" on Wednesday, November 3 from 12:00 noon -2:00 p.m. in the WTC’s 29th floor Board Room. The seminar will be conducted by Ruperto Chavarri, Director of the Louisiana International Trade Center/SBDC, and WTC Managing Director Eugene J. Schreiber. The program qualifies for 2 CLE credit hours for attorneys. To register for the program, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or click here.

INCOTERMS, which are issued by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), are the most commonly used trade terms in international sales contracts by most companies throughout the world that are successfully engaged in exporting and importing. They are shorthand definitions of the respective rights and responsibilities of sellers and buyers in their sales contracts.

NOVEMBER 12 SEMINAR ON INTERNATIONAL FINANCING

The World Trade Center, Bank One, and other organizations are sponsoring a morning seminar from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on Friday, November 12 in the WTC’s 29th Floor Executive Offices on "Cross-Border Financing: Having Washington Work for You." The seminar will be conducted by Alan Beard, Managing Director of Interlink Capital Strategies, a Washington-based consulting firm that develops and finances overseas transactions and projects. To register for the program, call the WTC at (504) 529-1601, ext. 222 or click here.

Prior to joining ICS, Mr. Beard was the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Delphos International, another Washington, DC-based consulting firm that specializes in arranging financing for overseas projects using U.S., multilateral and foreign government programs. Previously, Mr. Beard established and headed up an international merchant banking unit of Bank One Capital Corp. and worked at the Export-Import Bank of the United States, where he was a Senior Lending Officer in both the Latin American and U.S. divisions.

MISISSIPPI WTC TO HOLD ANNUAL MEETING ON NOVEMBER 18

The Mississippi World Trade Center is holding its annual meeting on November 18 at 11:30 a.m. at the Jackson Hilton. The theme of the meeting is "Get Connected: Plugging Your Business Into the World." The keynote speaker will be Guy F. Tozzoli, President of the World Trade Centers Association since 1970. Mr. Hassell Franklin, President and CEO of the Franklin Corporation of Houston, Mississippi, will be awarded the Tozzoli International Leadership Award at the meeting by Mr. Tozzoli. The Franklin Corporation is Mississippi’s largest privately-owned furniture company and the nation’s third-largest producer of reclining chairs. For more information on the meeting, contact Ann Atkins at (601) 353-0909.

EXPORGANICS AND EXOTIC FARM PRODUCTS SHOW IN MEXICO

The 3rd Exporganics and 8th International Show of Exotic Farm Products will take place November 11-13 at the Convention Center in Tuxtla GutiŽrrez, Mexico. These events allow rural enterprises to increase their potential in agro-business with outstanding results. For more information, visit http://www.demexicoalmundo.com.mx/viiiexpo/index_e.html, or contact the Trade Commission of Mexico in Miami by phone at (305) 668- 6220 or by e-mail at jrivash@mextrademiami.com.

AFRICA OIL & GAS FORUM NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 1 IN HOUSTON

The Corporate Council on Africa will host the Africa Oil & Gas Forum November 29 to December 1 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Houston. The forum will include workshop and plenary sessions on the following: gas development and commercialization; corporate social responsibility; financing oil and gas projects; local content; maritime security; reopening Libyan oil fields; country workshops; and new fields and opportunities for investment. For information or to register, call the CCA at (202) 835-1115 or register on-line at www.africacncl.org.

LOUISIANA FIRM RECEIVES EXPORT AWARD

On October 15, Carlos and Terry Hidalgo, owners of Tech-Sales, Inc. of Metairie, received a U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) Export Achievement Certificate for export success. Sean King, U.S. Department of Commerce Special Assistant for China, presented the award during a Louisiana District Export Council meeting at the World Trade Center in New Orleans. Tech-Sales (www.tech-sales.net) exports American made industrial supplies and equipment.

FINANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS U.S. EXPORTS TO EGYPT

A program offered by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provides short/medium credit terms to Egyptian private sector firms to finance the importation of U.S. manufactured goods. For the U.S. seller it means immediate payment for products shipped to a qualified Egyptian buyer. More than 5.4 billion dollars in U.S. goods have been purchased using this program. For details, visit the USAID website at: www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/import/comm.html.

FOREIGN CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT

U.S. firms seeking to do business in foreign markets need to know about the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). In general, the FCPA prohibits corrupt payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business. Violating the FCPA carries serious criminal and civil penalties. Visit www.export.gov/tcc to download a copy of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s 2004 annual report to Congress on implementation of the Anti-Bribery Convention, which includes extensive information on the FCPA.

CARIBBEAN BASIN CONFERENCE IN MIAMI

The 28th Miami Conferenceon the Caribbean Basin, "An Integrated Third Border," will focus attention on regional integration efforts in the Caribbean and Central America and their impact on investment and economic development. Confirmed speakers include Prime Minister Patrick Manning of Trinidad & Tobago, President Ricardo Maduro of Honduras, Prime Minister P. J. Patterson of Jamaica, Prime Minister Gerard Latortue of Haiti, and Enrique Iglesias,President of the Inter-American Development Bank. The conference will be held at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Miami. Register online at www.c-caa.org or contact CCAA at (202) 466-7464 x 28.

FESTIVAL DE BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU NOV. 19 AT THE WTC

On Friday, November 19, the Louisiana Chapter of the French-American Chamber of Commerce will launch its annual Festival de Beaujolais Nouveau in the World Trade Center’s Plimsoll Club from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. (The Patron Party is at 6:00 p.m.). The event will feature wine tastings, French cuisine, live music, and live and silent auctions. Proceeds will benefit the trade programs of the Chamber and WRBH 88.3 Reading Radio for the Blind and Reading Handicapped. For details, contact the Chamber by phone at (504) 561-0070 or by e-mail at info@faccla.com.

LATIN AMERICAN PORT SECURITY SYMPOSIUM IN JACKSONVILLE

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is sponsoring a two-day Latin American & Caribbean Vessel and Port Security Technical Symposium November 10-12 at the Adams Mark Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida. For information, call (202) 429-5245 or register on-line at http://www.rsvpregister.com/event.php?683.

BASICS ON EXPORT CONTROL CLASSIFICATION NUMBERS

U.S. Export Assistance Centers often receive inquiries about Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCN). Basic information is listed below, but exporters are advised to go online at: www.bxa.doc.gov/Licensing/Do_I_NeedAnECCN.html for detailed information.

An ECCN is a five-character alpha-numeric classification used in the Commerce Control List to identify items for export control purposes, not to be confused with the Schedule B number used by the U.S. Census Bureau to collect trade statistics. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) will guide an exporter in determining the ECCN, using the Commerce Control List (CCL).

Below are four ways to determine a product’s ECCN:

1. Review the alphabetical index to the CCL of the Export Administration Regulations. The index will give an ECCN for each item listed.

2. Ask the manufacturer, producer or developer of the item. If they have exported the item in the past, they may know the ECCN.

3. Submit a classification request on Mutipurpose Application Form BXA-748P or online via the Simplified Network Application Process. This particular procedure is the only way to receive an official BIS classification of the item. Due to the lack of necessary technical information about the exporter’s product, BIS cannot give definitive classifications over the phone.

4. If the product is not described under any ECCN, the item may be classified under the "basket" Export Administration Regulation, EAR99, assuming it is not controlled by another federal agency.

Exporters are encouraged to carefully review the BIS website at www.bxa.doc.gov for detailed information on export controls.

SECRETARY OF COMMERCE APPOINTS LOUISIANA EXPORT COUNCIL MEMBERS

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans recently appointed several new Louisiana international business community representatives to the District Export Council (see list below.) The District Export Council (DEC) is a nonprofit organization created in 1961 by Congress to promote U.S. trade with the world. Members are selected based on their extensive knowledge and experience in exporting. Louisiana has two DEC chapters—the North Louisiana DEC covers all areas north of and including Alexandria; the Louisiana DEC encompasses all other parts of the state.

DEC members work closely with the U.S. Department of Commerce and statewide international trade groups to improve conditions for U.S. exports, thereby fostering America’s economic growth. The organization sponsors seminars, trade missions, and other events to educate exporters and to bring buyers and sellers together. Though not an "advisory body" in the legal sense of the term, DEC members provide valuable information and advice to trade policymakers at local and national levels.

Louisiana DEC New and Renewed Appointments:

Sidney Alexander (Tempico Medical Processing, Hammond)

Warren Bares (J. Maxime Roy, Lafayette)

Manual Blanco (Atlantis International, Metairie)

Murphy Bourke (Gulf Island Fabrication, New Orleans)

Lawrence Collins (La. Economic Development, Baton Rouge)

William Coyle (Bilco Tools, Houma)

William Cummins (Bank One, New Orleans) - Treasurer

James Dartez (Royce Technologies, New Orleans)

Jay Jackson (Stuller, Lafayette)

Marysol Lombana (Interep Company, Kenner)

Agustin Loya (Teknor Color, Kenner)

Gina Nadas (Louisiana Hispanic Chamber of Commerce)

Lisa Ponce de Leon (Louisiana Tax Free Shopping)

Eugene Schreiber (World Trade Center of New Orleans)

The persons listed above join the following current LADEC members:

James Ake (Southern U.S. Trade Association, New Orleans)

Guy Barone (Xenetech, Baton Rouge)

Geralyn Contini (Schaffer & Associates International, Baton Rouge) - Chairwoman

Edward Dwyer (Certified Public Accountant, Metairie)

Philippe Gustin (Le Centre International de Lafayette)

Ned Jewett (CMI Consultants, Baton Rouge)

Rehan Kamal (Computrols, Harvey)

Roger Richard (Port of Greater Baton Rouge, Port Allen)

Roder Russo (Stabil Drill Specialties, Lafayette)

Jan Tanner (Hibernia National Bank, New Orleans)

Don van de Werken (U.S. Export Assistance Center, New Orleans) - Executive Secretary

Paul Wegener (M. G. Maher & Company, New Orleans) - Treasurer

Barrett Wilson (Whitney National Bank, New Orleans)

For information on the Louisiana District Export Council, call the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) at (504) 589-6546 or visit www.ldec.org. Call the Shreveport USEAC at (318) 676-3046 for information on the North Louisiana District Export Council.

NATIONAL AWARD HONORS U.S. EXPORTERS

In 1961, President Kennedy founded the "E" Award to honor U.S. companies for their excellence in exporting. The "E-Star" was added several years later to recognize "E" Award recipients who had continued their superior export performance. To date, over 2,000 American firms have received the nation’s highest recognition for export success. To qualify for the award, a U.S. company or organization must have sustained export growth, entered difficult product markets overseas, or displayed innovative export marketing strategies. Businesses that do not export directly, but assist or facilitate export efforts via financing, transportation, market promotion, or other export-related services may also qualify for recognition.

Since the U.S. Department of Commerce administers the program, the application and supporting material must be sent to the applicant’s local U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC). If the application shows that all award criteria has been met, the information is forwarded to Commerce Headquarters in Washington, D.C. for review by the award committee. USEAC contact information is located at: www.export.gov.

DECEMBER 1-3 TULANE LATIN AMERICAN LAW INSTITUTE

Registrants from 14 countries have signed up to attend the second Latin American Law Institute, sponsored by Tulane University Law School, on December 1-3 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Orleans. (The Institute was due to be held September 15-17, but was rescheduled because of Hurricane Ivan.) The two-and-a-half-day program will focus on 25 separate issues affecting Latin America (note: special registration rates apply for individuals wishing to attend selected morning and afternoon sessions).

Congressman David Vitter of Louisiana is honorary Chair of the Institute and will discuss whether the U.S. has a viable energy policy for Latin America. The other featured speakers include:

• H.E. Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, former President of Bolivia

• Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu

• Jorge Mas Santos, Cuban American National Foundation.

• Dr. Alvaro Silva Calderon, former Secretary General, OPEP

• Krishna Raj Urs, U.S. Department of State

• Luis Marin, Chief Executive Officer, CITGO

• Justice Guillermo Ruiz Polanco, former Justice of Spain’s Audiencia Nacional

• Jose Sariego, Senior Vice President, HBO Latin America

• Elmer Johnston, General Counsel, Harken Energy Corp.

• Gary Paulson, Asst. General Counsel, British Petroleum

• Prof. Luis Enrique Cuervo, Tulane Law School

Registration and additional information regarding the Latin American Law Institute may be found at www.law.tulane.edu/lali. For more information, please contact Dr. Jose Cruz by telephone at (504) 523-9811.