Presentation (pdf)

Briefings By Paul Adler Business Development Manager Australian Trade Commission (www.austrade.gov.au) Wednesday, January 18, 2006 Luncheon Briefing 12:00 Noon - 1:00 p.m.  Light Lunch between  11:30 a.m. and 12:00 Noon 29th Floor Executive Office World Trade Center of New Orleans (Free validated parking  in the WTC Garage) Friday, January 20 Breakfast Briefing 7:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.  Continental Breakfast between  7:30 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. Le Centre International de Lafayette

Note: Mr. Adler will be available for individual consultations following the briefings.

Australia has long been an ally of the U.S. and is a significant trading partner. The U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement, which went into effect on January 1, 2005, further enhanced this trading relationship. Australia has the 11th largest economy in the world and has one of the world's most open and innovative economies (www.investaustralia.gov.au). This extends to Australian industry which has innovative products and services that can be applied to many industries in the U.S. For example, Australian Industry has a long history of Disaster Recovery and Management dating to Cyclone Tracy, one of the world's strongest cyclones, which struck Darwin in 1974.

Louisiana exported goods valued at nearly $150 million to Australia in 2004 and $770 million worth of U.S.-Australia trade traveled through the New Orleans Port District in 2003. Visit www.austemb.org/pdf/States/Louisiana.pdf to learn more about how Louisiana and Australia are forming a mutually beneficial trading relationship. For example, Australia is already a significant player in the U.S. building and construction market with companies such as Boral (bricks), Hardie (dry wall), and Butler Construction (pre-engineered steel buildings).

Paul Adler, Business Development Manager, with the Australian Trade Commission (www.austrade.gov.au), will visit New Orleans and Lafayette the week of January 16th to discuss business opportunities for Louisiana companies with Australia. Mr. Adler spent 25 years with IBM in a variety of roles, including 5 years in Japan. His education and experience provide him with a wealth of knowledge about doing business both in the Pacific Rim and the U.S.  Mr. Adler will be joined by Marty Cotton, Business Development Manager for the Australian Consulate General in Atlanta.