ST. TAMMANY FORUM ON INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

LOUISIANA GULF COAST OIL EXPO IN LAFAYETTE

GO-EXPO TO BE HELD IN CALGARY, CANADA JUNE 9-11

LOUISIANA EXPORTERS RESOURCE GUIDE

LE CENTRE NAMES GREMILLION INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR

FRANK’S CASING CREW WINS 2009 INTERNATIONAL AWARD

U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE KIRK OUTLINES TRADE POLICY AGENDA

Pending FTAs - Amb. Kirk pointed out that trade “can be a major boon to American companies and workers, and to the country as a whole,” and that opening additional markets is one of the best ways to help U.S. businesses grow. This, he said, is the reason the Obama administration is working to implement pending free trade agreements as well as seeking new opportunities to open significant markets in the future.

•Panama - “It’s no secret that we’ve been working very hard with the Panamanian government in recent weeks” to resolve outstanding labor and international tax issues so that the U.S.-Panama FTA can be sent to Congress for consideration. Kirk emphasized that many of Panama’s products already enjoy duty-free access to the U.S. market and that the FTA will give U.S. farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, producers and workers reciprocal access to consumers in Panama.

• Colombia - A thorough review of the Colombia FTA and efforts to find a way forward, as directed by President Obama, are “actively in progress.”

• Korea - Amb. Kirk met with Korean officials recently and “had a very candid and productive discussion about the domestic political concens that must be addressed in both our countries so that we can proceed” with legislation to implement the U.S.-Korea FTA.

Doha Round - Amb. Kirk said the Obama administration’s review of the Doha Round has included “a close look at what’s been achieved, a distillation of the outstanding issues, and ongoing discussions with our trading partners to gain their perspective as well.” He indicated that this administration, like the one before it, defines success in the Doha Round negotiations as “a balanced and ambitious agreement with meaningful market access gains for all involved.” He emphasized that the U.S. does not intend to “discard the hard work that’s been done” over the eight years of negotiation and instead wants to “build on the progress that we’ve made,” but he also highlighted the need to “think about new paths to address remaining issues.” He also repeated the call for more leadership from advanced developing countries such as China, India, Brazil and South Africa but added that “all 153 WTO members should be willing to consider adjustments to help put the negotiations on a more direct path to success.”

Asia - Amb. Kirk stated that more effective engagement with Asia will be a key component of the Obama administration’s outlook on trade but suggested that the bulk of this effort will await the conclusion of the pending FTAs and the Doha Round. He noted that the value of U.S. trade with Asia has tripled over the past 15 years and said one of his goals is to “take a robust look at U.S. trade policy” toward this region. A Reuters article cited Kirk as saying that “at a minimum” the U.S. will “pick up” the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which could eventually result in a free trade area among the U.S., Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Australia, Peru and Vietnam, but according to Inside US Trade no formal administration decision to re-engage in the TPP talks has yet been made.

Trade Policy - Initiatives like those outlined above offer substantial potential benefits to U.S. businesses and workers, but Amb. Kirk warned that “it won’t matter how hard we try to craft a new international trade agenda if squabbles here at home just bog it down.” He called on “both sides of the trade debate in this country” to “stop the name-calling that keeps us divided on trade,” stating that “reflexive labeling of foes as either protectionists or anti-worker does little to foster the discussion of genuine concerns that need to be considered and addressed if we are to move forward successfully.” Instead, he said, “it’s time to lay down our arms, come out of our bunkers, and start supporting important initiatives on their merits, not reject them for tradition’s sake.”
 

AEROMEXICO TO START NON-STOP FLIGHTS FROM NEW ORLEANS TO MEXICO CITY

Frank Galan, Vice President of the U.S. Division, said “AeroMexico is moving forward as scheduled to add this important route to our North American operations. We have met again with city and airport officials in New Orleans and all agree these flights are vitally important and are needed now. This route will be the fastest way to travel between New Orleans, Mexico City and Honduras, which will make it much more convenient for people to visit family and friends, take vacations and conduct business between these markets.

“We are also confident that it is a good time to travel. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization see no reason for international travel restrictions related to the H1N1/swine flu since this recent health situation is being addressed effectively,” he said. “Because the safety of the traveling public is AeroMexico’s top priority at all times, our airline also has comprehensive procedures in place for their well being.”

The airline believes that significant market demand exists for the route due to expanding business, cultural and tourism ties between these markets and New Orleans’ reemergence following Hurricane Katrina. Market demand in the greater New Orleans area for these flights is also increasing because the Hispanic population in New Orleans, which now approaches 250,000, is the fastest growing of any major U.S. city. The area also has one of the largest Honduran populations, estimated at more than 80,000, in the United States.

Economic ties between these markets are also expanding and will benefit from this new airline service, according to Greater New Orleans Inc., the region’s economic development organization. Additionally, the Mexico Tourism Board and the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau are eager to pursue increased international tourism opportunities that this new airline service will create.

Additional information is available at www.aeromexico.com or 1-800-237-6639.
 

LOUISIANA EXPORTS DECLINE BUT STATE MOVES UP IN RANK

Louisiana’s total export shipments for January-March 2009 declined 33.5 percent to $7.6 billion, compared to the first three months of 2008, while total U.S. exports dropped by 22.5 percent, according to the WTC report. However, even with its lower exports for the January-March period, Louisiana moved up to 7th in the state rankings from 9th place for all of 2008.

The decrease in total vessel weight for Louisiana’s exports for the first quarter of 2009 was 16.5 percent, compared to the first three months of last year, while total U.S. exports in tonnage registered an 11.1 percent decline.

Agricultural products ($3.7 billion, a fall of 27.8 percent); petroleum and coal products ($1.22 billion, a 50.7 percent decline); chemicals ($1.2 billion; a 27 percent decline); and processed foods ($577 million, a 48.4 percent decline) ranked as Louisiana’s top exports for the January-March 2009 period.

“The full lag effect of the worldwide downturn is now hitting Louisiana’s exports across the board, and especially agriculture, petroleum, and chemical products. We’re hopeful that the gradual recovery that appears to be starting in China and some other countries will eventually spread worldwide,” said Larry Collins, Director of International Services with Louisiana Economic Development.

Louisiana’s principal export markets for the first three months of 2009 were China, Japan and Mexico. The state’s shipments to China actually increased 19.5 percent, reaching $1.5 billion in the first quarter as exports to almost all other major markets declined.

“The recent gradual rise in oil prices may generate export opportunities for Louisiana suppliers of oilfield services and equipment,” said Donald van de Werken, Director of the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center. “For example, 18 large foreign delegations traveled to Houston a few weeks ago for the Offshore Technology Conference seeking relationships with U.S. suppliers of oilfield services, equipment, and technology.”

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) that are produced in other states, shipped abroad from Louisiana’s ports, and recorded as Louisiana exports because of the difficulty of identifying the actual states of origin.

“This is an opportune time for Louisiana companies to become engaged in exporting or importing as the U.S. and other markets bottom out and begin to recover,” said Eugene Schreiber, Managing Director of the World Trade Center.

The accompanying three charts summarize the above data. 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 at www.wtcno.org/tradestats.

All data Origin of Movement Series.  
 

LOCAL ATTORNEY APPOINTED TO NAFTA TRADE PANEL

LE CENTRE TO HOST SEMINARS IN THE FALL

Le Centre International de Lafayette has announced that it will be hosting a series of seminars, luncheons and panel discussions that will focus on various International Trade issues, such as international agreements, financing and accounting, and credit insurance. Dates and times have yet to be determined. Information on Le Centre and its activities is available at www.lafayettegov.net.