Topics of Discussion

• The global economic situation
• The impact of depressed oil prices in 1998 on the oil exporting countries
• The sustainability of the OPEC agreement signed in March 1999 and how it will affect the global economy
• An overview of key oil-producing areas: Mexico, Venezuela, the Middle East, Nigeria, Angola, the North Sea, Indonesia, and Russia

About Varun Agarwal

Dr. Agarwal joined Bank One Corporation in July 1997 after several years in country risk analysis in the banking industry. As an International Economist, he has country risk analysis responsibilities for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian Subcontinent. In the past Dr. Agarwal has also covered Asia Pacific and Latin America. He received a Doctorate in Economics and a Masters in Financial Economics from the University of Alabama, as well as another Masters in Quantitative Economics and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Birla Institute in India.

Sponsoring Organizations

Arthur Andersen & Company

Bilco Tools, Inc.

Jefferies & Company, Inc.

Louisiana Department of Economic Development

Rice Fowler

Walk, Haydel & Associates, Inc.

Wink Engineering

World Trade Center of New Orleans

In Cooperation With

Ark-La-Tex Regional Export & Technology Center

Baton Rouge Center for World Affairs

City of New Orleans, Office of International Trade

Consular Corps of New Orleans

New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center

Louisiana District Export Council

Louisiana International Trade Center/SBDC

Louisiana International Trade Commission

Traffic & Transportation Club of Greater New Orleans

Transportation Research Institute, Inc.

 Registration Fee: $22 for members of the sponsoring organizations and $27 for non-members.