International Business Committee
Transportation Committee
Government Affairs Committee

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMMITTEE

Charles Nelson (Chairman)

MISSION: To recommend policy positions and programs to strengthen Louisiana's development of foreign trade, investment and international services.

1998 Trade Programs

On January 21, the WTC, the Consulate General of Spain and other organizations co-sponsored a luncheon program for 36 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "Doing Business in Spain" featuring Joaquin de la Herran, Trade Commissioner of Spain in Miami. A cocktail reception featuring Spanish wines and tapas preceded the luncheon.

On February 6, the WTC held a 3-hour seminar for 15 attendees on "Basic Negotiating Skills" in the WTC Board Room. The speaker was Douglas McDaniel. The seminar focused on valuable techniques that are applicable here at home and in the global marketplace.

On February 13, WTC Managing Director Gene Schreiber and other staff members presented a free, morning seminar for 20 WTC members on "Almost Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Exporting and Importing."

On the evening of February 13, the WTC hosted a reception in the Executive Office for 40 guests to honor H.E. Antonio Oyarzabal, the Spanish Ambassador to the United States. The reception featured Spanish wine and tapas. Amb. Oyarzabal spoke about the strong historical ties between Louisiana and Spain and expressed his hope that mutually beneficial commercial relations can be developed.

On the evening of February 17, the WTC hosted a reception for 40 Austrian students from the University of Innsbruck to meet members of the local business community in the WTC’s floor Executive Office. These students were visiting New Orleans for a four-week program that is administered by the Center for Austrian Culture and Commerce at the University of New Orleans.

On March 2, the WTC’s Foreign Language Institute began its Spring Session of language instruction in German, French and Spanish. The evening classes were held two nights a week through June 11 for a total of 34 participants.

On March 3, the WTC and other organizations sponsored a luncheon program for 15 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "Developing and Managing an International Distributor Network." Glenn Stoudt, President of Rochester Midland Company, was the featured speaker.

On the evening of March 10, the WTC, the City of New Orleans, the Louisiana Department of Economic Development and the New Orleans International Airport hosted a reception in the WTC Executive Office for local executives and government officials for a group of 37 U.S. Information Agency Public Affairs Officers who are stationed at American Embassies throughout Latin America. The group was in New Orleans for an internal conference.

On March 12, the WTC and other organizations co-sponsored a luncheon program for 30 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "Optimizing Your FSC Benefits." The seminar was conducted by Jeffrey L. Olin, a Senior Manager in Arthur Andersen LLP’s International Tax Services Group in Chicago.

On March 13, the WTC and other organizations co-sponsored a breakfast briefing for WTC Board members in the Executive Office on "The Outlook in Cuba." Michael G. Kozak, Principal Officer of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana was the featured speaker.

On March 19, the WTC, the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, the Japan-Louisiana Association and other organizations co-sponsored a luncheon program in the Plimsoll Club for 36 participants on "Doing Business in Osaka, Japan." The featured speakers were Mr. Shizuhiko Ishikawa, Manager of the International Division of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Ms. Miki Nakamura, U.S. Director, USA*Japan Trade Expansion Center.

On March 23, the Consul General of Ecuador hosted a reception for 75 guests in the WTC Executive Office to honor the Captain and other officers of the Ecuadorian tall training ship "Guayas," which was docked at the Bienville Street Wharf from March 20 through March 24.

On March 26, the WTC, 10 other trade and transportation organizations, and 230 guests honored Mr. Donald T. "Boysie" Bollinger at a luncheon in the Plimsoll Club to present him with the C. Alvin Bertel Award for his significant contributions to the advancement of the Greater New Orleans Port area.

On March 31, the WTC, MetroVision, and other organizations co-sponsored a luncheon in the Plimsoll Club for 48 attendees on "Trade and Investment Opportunities in Nicaragua and Honduras." The featured speaker was Dr. Bertus J. Meins, Regional Economic Advisor for Mexico and Central America Inter-American Development Bank.

On April 3, the WTC and other organizations co-sponsored an "Ex-Im Bank Trade Finance Update" luncheon briefing in the Plimsoll Club for 30 participants. Joseph Ringer, Business Development Officer with the Export-Import Bank of the U.S., conducted the briefing.

On April 16 and 17, the WTC co-hosted with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Corporate Council on Africa, and the City of New Orleans a major conference in the Plimsoll Club for 195 participants on "United States Trade and Investment in Africa." The conference featured more than 30 U.S. government and private sector speakers, with Deputy Secretary of Commerce Robert Mallet and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Susan Rice as the keynote speakers.

On April 17, the WTC, the German-American Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations sponsored a luncheon program for 126 attendees in the Plimsoll Club on "Doing Business in Germany," which featured H.E. Jürgen Chrobog, German Ambassador to the U.S. This luncheon program commenced a two-day meeting of the Board of Directors of the Southern German-American Chamber of Commerce, which was held in the WTC Board Room.

On April 22, the WTC and other organizations sponsored a luncheon briefing for 45 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "Doing Business in the U.K." featuring a visiting British trade mission from Northampton, England.

On April 24, the WTC, the Consulate General of Venezuela, and other organizations sponsored a luncheon briefing for 67 attendees in the Plimsoll Club on "Doing Business in Venezuela" featuring the Hon. Teodoro Petkoff, Minister of Planning of Venezuela.

On May 1, the WTC and other organizations sponsored a luncheon program for 62 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "Doing Business in Argentina" featuring H.E. Diego Ramiro Guelar, Ambassador of Argentina to the U.S.

On May 8, the WTC and other organizations sponsored a luncheon program for 49 attendees in the Plimsoll Club on "Doing Business in Vietnam" featuring an 11-member Vietnamese oil, gas, and petrochemical mission comprised of top executives from PetroVietnam and government trade and industry officials.

On May 13-14 the WTC hosted a 40-member Saudi Arabian oil, gas, and petrochemical mission. The mission members engaged in two days of matchmaking at the WTC, which was organized by the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center. On the evening of May 13, the U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council sponsored a reception for 128 guests in the Plimsoll Club. On May 14, the WTC and other organizations sponsored a luncheon for 80 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "Doing Business in Saudi Arabia." Michael Frisby, Commercial Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and leader of the trade mission, was the featured speaker.

On May 18, the 14th annual International Program for Port Planning and Management, sponsored by the Port of New Orleans, the World Trade Center, LSU National Ports and Waterways Institute, and the University of New Orleans, commenced at the WTC. This intensive two-week training program, attended by 33 international and U.S. maritime industry officials in all facets of port planning and management, is organized each year by UNO’s College of Urban and Public Affairs. The program finished on May 29 with a graduation ceremony and reception in the Plimsoll Club.

On May 29, the WTC, Tulane University’s Cuban Studies Institute, and other organizations sponsored a luncheon briefing in the Plimsoll Club for 126 participants on "The Cuba Economic Embargo – What U.S. Companies Can and Cannot Do." The seminar featured John S. Kavulich II, President of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, New York; Ignacio E. Sanchez, Trustee, Cuban-American National Foundation, Miami; and John F. McKenzie, Partner with Baker & McKenzie, San Francisco.

On June 15, the WTC and the Tulane/Loyola Public Law Center hosted the welcoming reception for the International Legislative Drafting Institute in the World Trade Center’s Executive Offices. 55 participants from over 20 countries studied legislative drafting for an intensive two-week period. The graduation ceremony and closing reception were held in the Plimsoll Club on June 26.

On June 25, the WTC, MetroVision, and other organizations sponsored a luncheon program in the Plimsoll Club for 38 attendees on "Doing Business in Panama." The briefing, which was in preparation for a Trade Mission to Panama and Venezuela on July 26-August 5 organized by MetroVision, featured Carmen Gisela Vergara Mas with Pro-Panama, Ministry of Foreign Relations, and Kathy de Guardia with the Interoceanic Regional Authority in Panama City.

On June 30, the WTC and other organizations sponsored a luncheon briefing in the Plimsoll Club for 61 participants on "Doing Business in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Eastern Russia." The luncheon featured a Business Information Service for the Newly Independent States (BISNIS) trade specialist from each of the three countries who were also available for matchmaking appointments, which the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center organized.

On July 1, the WTC and other organizations hosted a luncheon in the Plimsoll Club for a trade mission of women entrepreneurs from Orense, Spain and 65 local guests. A welcoming reception sponsored by the Fashion Group International, the Women’s Professional Council, the Women Business Owner’s Association, and the WTC was held the prior evening in the WTC’s Executive Offices.

On July 10, the WTC and other organizations sponsored a luncheon briefing for 44 attendees on "Doing Business in Namibia" featuring H.E. Veiccoh K. Nghiwete, Ambassador of the Republic of Namibia to the U.S. The WTC also arranged for Amb. Nghiwete and the two Embassy officers accompanying him to New Orleans to speak at Dillard University, tour the Port of New Orleans and the Port of South Louisiana, meet with the press and members of the local African community, and travel to Baton Rouge to meet with state and city government officials.

On July 17, the WTC sponsored a half-day training seminar conducted by Douglas McDaniel on "Successful Negotiating Techniques" for six participants in the WTC’s Board Room.

On August 26, the WTC hosted a "Breakfast Briefing on Sri Lanka" for 25 local participants. The speakers were the Honorable M.H.M. Ashraff, Minister of Port Development, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction in Sri Lanka, and H.E. Warnasena Rasaputram, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States, who were visiting New Orleans for the signing of a Sister Port Agreement between the Port of New Orleans and the Port of Colombo.

On September 4, the WTC and other organizations co-sponsored a breakfast briefing for 28 participants on "US-EU Trade Relations and the Launching of the Euro" featuring Mr. Gerard de Graaf, First Secretary for Trade Matters, Delegation of the European Commission in Washington D.C.

On September 7, the WTC’s Foreign Language Institute began its fall session of language instruction in Japanese, French and Spanish for a total of 37 participants. The evening classes were held two nights a week through December 17.

On September 7-11, WTC Managing Director Gene Schreiber was part of a seven-member Louisiana delegation which visited six cities in Spain. The WTC coordinated the visit at the invitation of the Association of Enterprises and Industries of Spain for the purpose of: (1) promoting Louisiana trade, transportation and tourism in a series of business seminars and meetings and (2) meeting with Spanish ceramic and tile producers, which the Riverwalk Marketplace in New Orleans might use to refurbish the Spanish Plaza. The other participants on the trip included: City Council Member-at-Large Jim Singleton; Julio Guichard, Director of International Relations for the City of New Orleans; Brian Lade, Vice President and General Manager of Riverwalk Marketplace; Ruperto Chavarri, Director of the Louisiana International Trade Center; Gary LaGrange, Executive Director of the Port of South Louisiana; and Julio Guichard, Sr., Cox TV. The delegation traveled to the cities of Madrid, Orense, Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, Valencia, Castellon, and Barcelona.

On September 9, the WTC, the Southern U.S. Trade Association, the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center and other organizations sponsored an afternoon video for 18 participants at the WTC on "Exporting America’s Value-Added Food Products – Steps to Exporting Success."

On September 18, the WTC hosted a luncheon for Mr. Leopold Maderthaner, President of Austria’s Federal Economic Chamber, who led a nine-member delegation of Austrian business executives and economic officials on a visit to New Orleans.

On September 22, the WTC, the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center and other organizations sponsored an afternoon video conference for six participants at the WTC on "Mexico & Canada: Doing Business With Our Friendly Neighbors."

On October 2, the WTC and other organizations co-sponsored a breakfast briefing for 22 participants on "International Affairs in the 21st Century: Challenges & Opportunities for the United States." The featured speaker was Ambassador L. Craig Johnstone, Director of the Office of Resources, Plans and Policy, with the Office of the Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State.

On October 9, the African Chamber of Commerce, the WTC and other organizations sponsored a luncheon program in the Plimsoll Club for 65 attendees on "Doing Business in Nigeria" featuring H.E. Hassan Adamu, Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States.

On October 12-13, WTC Managing Director Gene Schreiber participated in MetroVision’s 1998 "Ambassadors Visit to New York City," which was aimed at enhancing the New Orleans area’s business image among the national and international media based in New York. This year’s dual thrusts were New Orleans’ tourism and international trade sectors. Mayor Morial, Councilmember-at-Large Singleton, and Chamber Chairman Sam LeBlanc led the delegation.

On October 23, the Europe-Louisiana Business Council hosted a morning orientation program at the WTC on Louisiana Trade and Investment Opportunities for the European Trade Commissioners who cover Louisiana. The Commissioners were invited to visit New Orleans to expand Louisiana-European business ties. A subscription luncheon for 94 participants was held in the Plimsoll Club on "U.S.-Europe Relations and the European Monetary Union" and featured H.E. Hugo Paemen, Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Commission to the United States. Also present at the luncheon were the visiting Trade Commissioners from Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the Ambassador of Iceland to the United States.

On the evening of October 23, the WTC’s Officers and Board of Directors hosted for 195 guests a Gala Dinner Dance in the Plimsoll Club honoring the Consular Corps on the occasion of United Nations Day. Amb. and Mrs. Paemen and the European Trade Commissioners who were in New Orleans for the orientation program described above were special guests at the event.

On November 10, Tulane’s Cuban Studies Institute, the World Trade Center, and other organizations hosted a breakfast briefing for 35 attendees on "U.S. Policy, Foreign Investment, and the Cuban Economy." The featured speaker was Michael Ranneberger, Coordinator for Cuban Affairs with the U.S. Department of State.

On November 17, the World Trade Center, the Louisiana Department of Recreation, Culture and Tourism, and other organizations hosted a luncheon for 95 guests in the Plimsoll Club on "Creating and Managing a Global Enterprise of 5-Star Hotels, Trains & Cruises." The featured speaker was James B. Sherwood, Chairman & Chief Executive of Orient Express Hotels & Trains Ltd. Orient Express Hotels & Trains is the parent company of 23 hotel properties throughout the world, including the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans, which was recently named the world’s best hotel by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine; New Orleans itself was ranked as the U.S.’s 2^nd favorite city. Ms. Dana Dickey, Special Projects Editor of Conde Nast Traveler, also spoke at the luncheon.

On November 23, the WTC and other organizations hosted a luncheon to honor Petroleos de Venezuela, SA (PDVSA) with the WTC’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in International Business for 1997. Dr. Luis Urdaneta Vasquez, Chairman and CEO of PDV America Inc. (PDVSA) and Chairman of CITGO Petroleum Corporation, was present to accept the award on behalf of Dr. Luis Giusti Lopez, the Chairman and CEO of PDVSA. (The presentation was previously scheduled for September 29, but was postponed due to Hurricane Georges.)

On December 3, the World Trade Center, New Orleans Sister Cities Inc., the City of New Orleans, and other organizations hosted a luncheon for 48 attendees in the Plimsoll Club on "Doing Business in the Yucatan." The featured speaker was the Hon. Xavier Abreu Sierra, Mayor of Merida, who led a 9-member delegation of business, government and tourism leaders to New Orleans, which is a Sister City of Merida, the capital of the State of Yucatan.

On December 4, the World Trade Center, the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center, and other organizations co-sponsored a luncheon briefing for 48 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "Doing Business in Canada" featuring Robert Armstrong, President of the Canadian Importers Association based in Toronto, and Sukminder S. Jawanda, Commercial Specialist for the U.S. Consulate General in Vancouver. (This program was the first to be videotaped under an arrangement with NOETC, as described below in the first item under "Other Committee Initiatives". It will be shown soon on NOETC and Channel 6 in New Orleans. Copies of the videotape also will be made available for purchase by WTC members and others in the business community.)

On the evening of December 11, the National Association of REALTORS® and Louisiana REALTORS®, in conjunction with the Chamber/New Orleans and the River Region, MetroVision, and the WTC, co-sponsored a reception in the Plimsoll Club to congratulate Louisiana Congressman Robert L. Livingston on becoming Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

On December 15 and 16, the WTC hosted two luncheons in the Plimsoll Club for 33 Transportation Ministers of the Western Hemisphere, who were meeting in New Orleans December 14-16 under the auspices of U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater. The meeting is a follow-up of the Summit of the Americas held earlier this year in Santiago, Chile.

****************************************

The New Orleans Educational and Telecommunications Consortium (NOETC), a new tenant in the WTC building, and the World Trade Center are working together to bring the World Trade Center’s seminar programs and luncheon briefings to the community at large. NOETC is owned by the eight local universities and can transmit programs into the university classrooms at no charge to the WTC. They also operate Channel 6, Cox’s public access channel, which will also be available for WTC programming. NOETC has agreed to videotape selected WTC seminars and luncheon programs and broadcast them to cable subscribers and to the local universities. The WTC also plans to further explore videoconferencing, distance learning, and other telecommunications technologies in cooperation with NOETC.

In November 1996, Mayor Marc Morial appointed 35 individuals in countries around the world as Honorary Ambassadors of New Orleans to help promote trade, investment, tourism and other relations with their countries. The WTC has been assisting the City throughout the year in the implementation of the project by coordinating with other internationally-oriented area-wide agencies and organizations to consolidate a variety of relevant materials which are then forwarded to all of the Honorary Ambassadors on a regular basis.

In January, the WTC was one of 16 co-sponsoring organizations of a major survey and analysis of exporters and importers throughout the state of Louisiana to collect information and views about the companies’ international experiences. Loyola University’s College of Business Administration, under the direction of Dr. Joseph Ganitsky and Dr. Rajiv Mehta, compiled all of the data received and analyzed it. A 100-page report on the findings of this survey is available through the WTC at a cost of $20.

In August, the U.S. Department of State assigned Robert Konrath, a career Foreign Service Officer, to the World Trade Center for a one-year period under the Department’s Pearson Program. Konrath is a native of California and has degrees and additional graduate studies from Stanford, Princeton and the University of North Carolina in political science, German and economics. He joined the Foreign Service in 1979 and has served abroad in economic-commercial positions at U.S. embassies and missions in Lagos, Nigeria; Asuncion, Paraguay; Harare, Zimbabwe; Kingston, Jamaica; Geneva, Switzerland; and Santiago, Chile. Through the Pearson Program, Foreign Service officers are assigned to cities, states, and trade associations in the United States to provide foreign affairs expertise and to contribute to the State Department’s outreach efforts. Four such officers previously served at the WTC under this program – the most officers assigned to any single organization in the country. Only seven Pearson officers in total were assigned throughout the U.S. in 1998. Konrath has been working on several important WTC projects to help expand Louisiana’s international trade, including: producing a new brochure on "International Trade Finance – A Resource Guide for Louisiana Companies" (described in the following item); writing a report about the New Orleans area’s prospects for expanding the volumes of perishables imports (e.g. fruit, vegetables, flowers) into Louisiana by identifying current and potential port and airport capabilities, and current and potential new sources of these commodities abroad; an analysis of NAFTA’s impact on Louisiana; and producing a series of video seminars related to international business to be broadcast by NOETC to the local universities and cable viewers.

This fall, the WTC produced a new brochure on "International Trade Finance -- A Resource Guide for Louisiana Companies." The 8-page brochure summarizes export trade finance programs available throughout the state. The brochure also contains the names of Louisiana state and local government officials designated to help exporters take advantage of these programs. In addition, the brochure contains contact information for those federal officials based in Louisiana who are responsible for their agencies’ programs, as well as who to contact for trade finance in Louisiana’s International banking sector. The brochure is available on the WTC’s website (click here), and free copies of the brochure are also available through the WTC for those who do not have access to the internet.

Louisiana Tax Free Shopping, which the WTC was instrumental in creating in 1989 and whose head office is located in the WTC Building, has had a very strong year in 1998. The first six months of the year produced retail sales of more than $26 million throughout the state, with Latin American countries accounting for nearly half of the total. The top 10 countries in terms of spending were Honduras, Mexico, Germany, Brazil, England, France, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Japan. Louisiana continues to be the only state in the U.S. that offers this type of program. (For additional details about Louisiana Tax Free Shopping, call Ms. Ana Cherenek, Executive Director, at (504) 568-5323.)

The WTC is in the process of updating the Louisiana International Trade Directory. The new 1999 Directory will be available in the first part of the new year. It is the most complete and current source of information on Louisiana’s international business sector. The new Directory will include more than 1,900 detailed listings of exporters and importers, ports and airports, steamship agencies, freight forwarders, customs brokers, international banks, chambers of commerce, foreign consulates, trade consultants, attorneys, and many other categories. The Directory will be available for $55 for WTC members and $65 for non-members. It will also be available in hard copy, mailing labels, and on diskette.

The WTC staff continues to take orders for a selection of recommended books on international trade and foreign language tapes, as well as selling satellite maps of the industries located along the lower Mississippi River in Louisiana, and a comprehensive new 1998 Directory of Petrochemical Industries which the Homesite Co. in Baton Rouge has authorized the WTC to market and sell.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

F.E. "Hank" Lauricella, Chairman
George "Bunky" Healy, Vice Chairman

The following organizations give a brief report of their activities at each Committee meeting: the deepwater ports (Baton Rouge, South Louisiana, New Orleans) and the Port of Iberia, New Orleans International Airport, Regional Planning Commission, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Coast Guard, Maritime Administration, Federal Maritime Commission, U.S. Customs Service, New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, University of New Orleans, LSU National Ports and Waterways Institute, Steamship Association of Louisiana, New Orleans Board of Trade, Louisiana Motor Transport Association, Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association, Ports Association of Louisiana, NO-BR Steamship Pilots Association, Bar Pilots, and industry reports are given by members representing the barge and coal sectors. The following issues were discussed and, as appropriate, acted on by the Committee during 1998:

Dredging Subcommittee – At the February meeting, Chairman Lauricella announced the formation of a special subcommittee chaired by Mr. Dwight LeBlanc, Chaffe McCall, to examine dredging issues. The subcommittee discussed the major underlying issues facing the industry, including (1) management of current assets, and (2) how the players ensure that new capacity is added to meet the need.

Shipping industry representatives stated that their concern was not who did the dredging (private sector or the Corps), but that the dredging is done to maintain the channel at its project specifications. Several members provided alternatives to the limitations discussed by the principal industry participants, and both sides exhibited some flexibility in their established positions. There was discussion of the public-sector dredges being used as a "first response" should private dredges be unavailable to do the work.

In October, Mr. LeBlanc reported that the various maritime, dredging and Corps of Engineers interests representing the East Coast and the Gulf Coast had tentatively agreed on new dredging contracting and equipment operating rules to be included in the renewal of the Water Resources Act (WRTA). The tentative agreement would: 1.) Refurbish the Corps dredge McFarland; 2.) Maintain the ready-reserve fleet of Corps dredges; and 3.) Give private sector dredges first shot at all dredging contracts, meaning that the Corps’ dredges could only be called out if private sector dredges could not respond to the need in a timely manner. A motion was approved recommending that the WTC take a position supporting this agreement, and after Executive Committee approval was received on October 7, letters from WTC President Walker Tucei were forwarded to the Louisiana Congressional delegation reflecting this position. However, the bill did not pass Congress this year.

Port of Greater Baton Rouge - Mr. Gary Pruitt, Executive Director, reported that Mr. Roger Richard had been selected as the new Executive Director of the Port, and he would be assuming Mr. Pruitt’s position on the Committee effective upon Mr. Pruitt’s retirement in August. The Port hired the LSU National Ports and Waterways Institute to do an updated economic impact assessment of the Port, and they found that port activities generated 24,740 jobs in the state, with a total estimated payroll of $886 million. The total spending impact from all public and private port facilities is estimated to be $11.3 billion.

Port of South Louisiana – The Port obtained state funding for two additional cranes at the general cargo docks. The Port hired Ms. Kay Jackson, a former secretary of the Department of Economic Development, as the Port’s Director of Marketing. Funding was included in the ISTEA reauthorization bill for an interstate interchange in Reserve to connect the airport (which will come under the Port’s jurisdiction this year) on US 61 directly to I-10. The Port also purchased a 175-acre tract in 1998 for future expansion. The Port entered into a contract with Trans Systems Inc. to perform a master plan for the Port’s Globalplex facility, and the study is to be completed by mid-February 1999. Gary LaGrange, Executive Director, informed the Committee in December that the Port’s year-end tonnage would be up by more than 20% from 1997, due in large part to the construction and petrochemical industries.

Port of New Orleans - Mr. J. Ron Brinson, President and CEO, announced that new gantry cranes at the Port’s Uptown Wharf on the Mississippi River had been installed. A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report on the Bright Field incident was not entirely on target in the Port’s view, and Mr. Brinson has prevailed upon the Chairman of the NTSB to come to New Orleans for a personal assessment. Early in the year, Mr. Brinson stated his concern over the federal government’s proposed budget because of reductions in funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Mr. Brinson also indicated that the Dock Board had completed the final parts of a transaction for Folgers to take over the old Nestle coffee facility on the Industrial Canal. The Port is studying the feasibility of developing a major new container facility closer to the mouth of the River, in Plaquemines Parish.

Mr. Brinson also reported to the Committee on an ongoing dispute with the Kaiser operation at the Port of St. Bernard. He explained that when the Port of St. Bernard was created by the legislature, the legislation provided that tariff rates at the Port of St. Bernard or any of its tenants must be consistent with the tariff schedule of the Port of New Orleans. The Port of New Orleans informed both the Port of St. Bernard and one of its tenants, Kaiser Corporation, that their tariff schedules were not consistent with New Orleans’ schedules. The Port of St. Bernard altered its tariffs to ensure compliance, but Kaiser had not done so, whereupon the Port of New Orleans filed suit to gain Kaiser’s compliance.

Towboat operations on the river were maintained during the towboat pilots strike that occurred in the first half of 1998. The Port’s Clarence Henry Parkway was completed and is now operating, allowing a direct trucking route to the upriver terminals off of Tchopitoulas Avenue. Due to the Port’s staff restructuring and implementation of a team-oriented concept, 18 employees, mostly from the Port’s Engineering and Marketing Departments, were let go.

Mr. Steve Jaeger reported in October that Hurricane Georges has reduced the draft on the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet (MRGO) from 36 feet to 24 feet. It will take approximately four months to get the MRGO back to project depth, and even longer to establish the full width of the channel at project dimensions.

Port of Iberia – The Port purchased from adjacent landowners an additional 170 acres for development, since all of the Port’s sites are currently being utilized. Roy Pontiff, Executive Director, announced in November that after their current dredging project, they will have 150 acres of waterfront land ready to lease.

New Orleans International Airport - The Airport took delivery of a main deck loader for cargo handling activities early in 1998. The Airport began construction on a new perishable goods center. Delta Airlines has moved into Concourse D, American Airlines has consolidated its operations on Concourses A & B onto Concourse C after Delta’s relocation. Air Canada begins New Orleans to Toronto service on October 26. In November, it was noted that the perishables facility is continuing construction and should be completed in January or February of 1999, and bids for the management contract were opened on November 11. Justice Revius Ortique, Chairman of the New Orleans Aviation Board, stated in December that a non-stop TWA flight from New Orleans to Mexico City is in the works and is only waiting on an exemption from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). He also noted that the Airport will be the hub for the Gulf South high-speed rail corridor which was included in TEA 21.

Regional Planning Commission - A presentation was made to the Committee at its May meeting by Mr. Walter Brooks, Regional Planning Commission, on his organization’s activities, which covers the five-parish region of Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard and St. Tammany. Two goals of ISTEA that the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) is directly involved in are regional cooperation and a new emphasis on freight transportation. An assessment of all of the intermodal connectors in the metropolitan area is required under ISTEA and will be performed by RPC. Each project funded under ISTEA will undergo a quantitative assessment before construction of said project is authorized. The Almonaster bridge replacement study was completed earlier this year and design and construction are going forward. In the final appropriations bill approved by Congress, an additional $40 million was earmarked for the New Orleans metropolitan area. The funds break down as follows: $22 million for the Canal Street Light Rail Project, $2 million for the Desire Streetcar Project, $8 million for bus replacements, $7 million for the Port’s Florida Bridge Project, including $300,000 for the Millenium Port study, and $1.5 million in additional funds for ITS deployment in the New Orleans area. Karen Parsons reported in December that the National Highway System (NHS) intermodal connector assessment has been completed. In addition, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will fund an upgrade to the pumping station at the I-10 overpass which should alleviate the street flooding on the interstate.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Colonel William Conner, District Engineer, stated in February that the flooding that impacted Mississippi River traffic crested on January 25. At the October meeting, Colonel Conner estimated that the dredging required on the MRGO by Hurricane Georges would total approximately $20-$25 million. Colonel Conner also indicated that the federal project budget is for a 22-foot lock; to get a 36-foot ship lock, the Port of New Orleans would have to pay the difference.

U.S. Coast Guard – Captain Gordon Marsh reported that of over 5,600 foreign flag vessels that came into Louisiana in 1997, the Coast Guard boarded approximately 1,100 of these vessels and found discrepancies or deficiencies in approximately 25% of those boarded. Boardings were conducted on a prioritized basis: 100% of priority ones get boarded, 80% of priority twos, and about 50% of priority threes. Of the 5,600 ships, there were 164 "casualties" (incidents), and of these 122 were due to loss or fluctuations in power and/or steering. The Coast Guard also implemented a River Management Plan. The Vessel Traffic System (VTS) project was moving forward and Lockheed installed new radars. There is a hold up because the frequencies needed for the transponders are part of a group being auctioned by the FCC on December 1. The lease has been signed for the VTS project and a project manager has been hired and will start on Dec. 1. A study will be released in early 1999 focusing on collision prevention.

U.S. Maritime Administration - Mr. John Carnes, Central Region Director, reported on the initial meeting of the Maritime Advantage Intermodal Initiative held January 28-29 at the WTC. Representatives from the departments of transportation from an eight-state region discussed joint planning and coordination between states and the federal government. In addition, Louisiana DOTD is working on a Latin American Trade and Transportation study.

Federal Maritime Commission - U.S. Senate Bill 414, the Shipping Reform Act which would deregulate the liner shipping industry, was monitored throughout the Congressional session. In October it was reported that the Shipping Act legislation passed Congress and is awaiting the President’s signature. Also in the latter half of 1998, problems arose from trans-Pacific train carriers demanding increased rates and renegotiating service contracts due to high levels of east-bound cargo and low levels of west-bound cargo. As of October 28, most carriers have increased their rate from $300 to $500 per container. This increase is on tariffs rather than service contracts. Also, the same carriers have increased their container detention charges from $11 to $44 per day. This creates concern that truckers will be unable or unwilling to pick up cargo due to increased delay charges.

U.S. Customs Service – Mr. Allen Paterson, Port Director, reported that Customs intercepted 170 pounds of cocaine from a ship calling on the Port of New Orleans. A new Container Examination station for New Orleans has been developed and three companies have bid on the management contract.

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development - A reorganization plan for the Department approved in the special session of the legislature created five new Assistant Secretaries who are to be appointed by the Governor and serve at the discretion of the Secretary of the Department. DOTD completed four-laning the proposed I-49 extension route from Lafayette to New Orleans. At some point in the future, they will rehabilitate the I-10 in Jefferson Parish and put in a new interchange at Williams Boulevard in Kenner. DOTD Secretary Frank Denton resigned during the fourth quarter, and Dr. Kam Movassaghi, formerly a professor the University of Southwestern Louisiana, replaced him full-time effective December 1.

University of New Orleans – Tim Joder, Director of the Center for Urban and Public Affairs, stated that UNO is working with a group developing a state rapid transit plan. He also indicated that Dr. Loren Scott of LSU and Dr. Timothy Ryan of UNO are working on a statistical model to evaluate transportation investments. The International Program for Port Planning and Management was held May 18-29 at the WTC. In November, Timothy Joder reported that there is still a chance that there may be some funding for a transportation center at UNO under the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) section of the budget bill. Congressman Bob Livingston is still working on finding a way to get the funds properly allocated to UNO.

LSU National Ports and Waterways Institute – Dr. Adam Prokopowicz informed the Committee in December that the Institute is currently conducting studies in Panama on the Panama Canal and in Montenegro.

New Orleans Public Belt Railroad – Gerald Hutchison, Executive Director, advised that revenue cars handled by the Public Belt railroad during 1997 were up 251% over 1996. Operating revenues were up 239% in 1997 from the previous year. For first quarter of 1998, the NOPB handled 283% more revenue cars than the same period of 1997, due in large part to import steel at the Port of New Orleans. Canadian National Railway, Inc. will acquire Illinois Central Railroad, and the KCS railroad has been given trackage rights to access shippers in the Geismer area, which were previously only served by the IC. The Kansas City Southern Railroad (KCS), Candian National Railway (CN), and the Illinois Central (IC) reached an "access" agreement which allows for the CN and IC to move their Mexican traffic via the KCS and its partner, the Tex-Mex Railroad. The St. Claude Avenue Bridge needs to be raised from 17.6 ft. to 21.6 ft. in order to accommodate double-stack trains. This project is underway and there will be an advertisement for bids this week. The Port, Burlington Northern Santa Fe and CSXT will be partners in this project. Also, work on the Huey P. Long Bridge is estimated to be open for bids by mid-December. Phase one of the track upgrades is in process, using steel ties as opposed to wood. NOPB’s gondola fleet has been increased from 25 to 50.

Steamship Association of Louisiana – Association President Channing Hayden reported that the freight forwarders, Tulane University and the Steamship Association are working on an international shipping program that will hopefully lead to a certificate in freight forwarding, steamship agency or both. There is a new $150 inspection fee on ships to certify that the cargo holds do not have rats. USDOT Secretary Rodney Slater met with 150 shipping executives recently to discuss alternatives for dredging funding now that the Harbor Maintenance Tax has been ruled illegal by the courts.

Louisiana Motor Transport Association – The Association was able to table a bill in the Louisiana legislature to raise the truck permit fees for non-agricultural goods from $500 to $2500. Effective February 7, 1998 the first revisions to the Straight Bill of Lading since 1920 were adopted by over 2,000 carriers nationwide. At the October meeting, Ms. Cathy Gautreaux, Association President, made a motion regarding the proposed move of the Office of Motor Carriers, which regulates the trucking industry, from the Federal Highway Administration to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The trucking industry does not feel that the expertise is available in the NHTSA to adequately regulate the industry or deal with the issues involved. The main concern of motor carriers is that no hearings have been scheduled to discuss this proposal. The Committee approved a motion requesting that the WTC send a letter to the Louisiana Congressional delegation asking that no action be taken on the proposal until hearings can be held on the issue. The WTC Executive Committee subsequently endorsed this position, and a letter from WTC President Walker Tucei was sent to members of the Louisiana Congressional delegation on October 7. The proposed move of the Office of Motor Carriers was deferred in Congress until hearings are held.

Ports Association of Louisiana (PAL) - PAL’s effort to get the legislature the earmarked $24.5 million for the Port Priority Program was not approved, but the legislature allocated $24.5 million for the program this year. Mr. David Wagner, Port of New Orleans, reported for the Ports Association in November that they are going through an internal re-organization and are actively seeking a part-time (2 days/week) Executive Director. The ideal candidate will have legislative and maritime experience and live in the New Orleans or Baton Rouge area. The Ports Association is also beginning a drive to increase membership at the Associate level.

Rail Study - James Fitzmorris indicated that the Federal Rail Administration’s rail study of traffic through Metairie has been completed, but that the intervention of several federal agencies in the process has slowed down progress in implementation of a number of the study’s recommendations.

Freight Forwarders – When the Harbor Maintenance Tax being was ruled illegal for exports by the U.S. Supreme Court on March 31, no instruction was given to freight forwarders regarding collection of the tax, so freight forwarders continued collecting the tax from their customers.

Mississippi Valley Coal, Trade and Transport Council – Mr. C. R. (Pete) Moore indicated early in the year that coal export prospects for the industry in 1998 were down due to competition from other producers such as South Africa.

Barge - Mr. David Wagstaff, Vectura Group, reported that the industry is watching the river levels, which have only rarely been optimal this year, but there have been few accidents on the river. He also noted that there had been a dropoff in grain shipments during the first quarter of 1998. Mr. Wagstaff also reported that a subsidiary of his company, National Marine, has offered to merge with CSX’s barge operation, American Commercial Barge Lines. In December, Mr. Wagstaff stated that the barge industry is benefiting from the strong growth of import steel this year, but that grain exports have been sluggish.

New Orleans Board of Trade – Gene Hymel, Executive Director, distributed at each meeting a maritime statistical report. Through November, 400 more ships called on Louisiana’s deepwater ports on the Mississippi River than last year.

World Trade Center – Gene Schreiber, Managing Director, reported to the Committee in December that Transportation Ministers from 34 countries throughout the Western Hemisphere are scheduled to meet in New Orleans December 14-16.

Briefing by Senator John Hainkel – At the March meeting, Senator Hainkel briefed the Committee on agenda items for the special session of the Louisiana legislature. The special session is scheduled to address the structure of higher education in the state. One issue is whether to keep the Vocational-Technical Schools under the domain of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). The other involves putting the Community Colleges under a separate board from the universities (Board of Regents). Senator Hainkel mentioned that most legislators want to give teachers higher pay in return for more hours of instruction (currently, Louisiana has the shortest school calendar of any southern state).

The Governor would like to see the Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development (TIME) program extended to complete all of the projects promised, but it may not be addressed in the special session. The issue of greatest importance to the Committee that will be addressed in the special session is the reorganization of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). Other issues that may be decided in the special session include: ratification of the casino contract with Harrah’s, reforming state employees retirement system, and altering the existing state elections law to conform to federal law.

Briefing by Delgado Community College President J. Terrance Kelly - At the July Transportation Committee meeting, Dr. Kelly spoke regarding the potential loss to Delgado of its Aircraft Mechanic Program due to a pending recision of their certification by the FAA unless they update their equipment (a projected $1-$2 million cost). There has also been a problem with low participation in the program in recent years. There are currently three other aircraft mechanic programs in the state to meet the demand from the state’s 60+ DOTD-maintained airfields and the Northrup-Grumman facility in Lake Charles, which employs approximately 2,700 to retrofit large jets for use in airborne surveillance. Members of the Committee stated that they wanted the program to continue only if it was necessary and being sufficiently utilized. The Committee agreed that a letter on the matter be sent to the appropriate officials stating that should the College prove the need for the program and an effective plan of action, the WTC will work to try to retain its certification. In late July Delgado was informed that the program has been decertified by the FAA, but the program was recertified in August.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Frank H. Walk, Sr., Chairman
John P. Laborde, Vice Chairman

Senator Breaux’s Briefing to the WTC Board on January 15 - Senator Breaux was returning from a fact-finding tour in Central America, and briefed WTC board members on his findings. The Senator spoke of his meetings with Panamanian officials regarding managerial issues related to the turnover of the Panama Canal. Several U.S. companies are seeking contracts with the Panamanians, including Kansas City Southern Railroad, which is bidding for the rail concession along the Canal route. Senator Breaux also informed the Board that he has been named chairman of a subcommittee looking at MERCOSUR (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay).

Louisiana Processing Tax – Jack Walker, the WTC’s Government and Transportation Affairs Manager, provided testimony on behalf of the World Trade Center before the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee on January 28 opposing the proposed Louisiana Processing Tax. The tax, which was defeated in the fiscal-only regular session, would have been applied to all petroleum products processed in the state. Should the state unilaterally levy this tax, the rate of capital investment in Louisiana will likely decrease and international trade would be negatively impacted.

Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) reauthorization - Congress previously passed a temporary reauthorization, giving them until May to develop a multi-year full reauthorization. The full reauthorization, titled the Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21^st Century (TEA 21), gave Louisiana a 70% increase in appropriated federal dollars for transportation projects, the sixth-largest percentage gain among all fifty states. The proposed Intermodal Transportation Center that the University of New Orleans that the WTC supported did not make the final version of the bill.

Industrial Canal Lock Replacement Project – This federal project did not receive full funding in the President’s proposed budget (only $3 million vs. $13.5 million requested for this year). The City Council sent a letter to the Corps of Engineers asking them to delay the project for the time being. A motion was approved by the Government Affairs and Executive Committees and a letter from WTC President Walker Tucei was sent to the Congressional delegation and the City Council asking them to support initiation and full funding for the Industrial Canal Lock Replacement project.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - A motion was approved by the Government Affairs and Executive Committees and WTC President Walker Tucei sent a letter to the Louisiana Congressional delegation supporting full funding for the Corps and its flood control program.

U.S. contribution to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Loan Package to Asia - The Clinton Administration sought a total of $18 billion for the IMF, comprised of $3.5 billion towards the loan package itself (of a total package of over $50 billion) and $14.5 billion to help replenish the IMF’s depleted reserves. Two important considerations discussed by the Committee were: (1) that these are loans to countries with strong underlying market fundamentals and therefore have an ability to repay the loans, and (2) the loans help to reinforce the U.S. and Louisiana economy against negative impacts from the global economy should the situation in Asia be allowed to worsen. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, among many other organizations, supported the IMF package. The Government Affairs Committee recommended and the Executive Committee subsequently approved WTC endorsement of the IMF funding package. The Administration’s request to replenish the IMF’s reserve fund was voted down in the House in September, but the full $17.9 billion was included in the final appropriations bill which was signed into law.

Washington, D.C. Trip in April – Jack Walker, WTC Government and Transportation Affairs Manager, was in Washington April 1-3 calling on the Louisiana Congressional delegation regarding the WTC’s stated positions on various issues. Jack also met with the Venezuelan Ambassador to the United States as a follow-up to the Ambassador’s visit to Louisiana in November 1997.

MDCP Grant - The World Trade Center wrote an application on behalf of 9 trade promotion organizations statewide (MetroVision, WTC, Louisiana Department of Economic Development, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Louisiana Office of Tourism, Louisiana Tax Free Shopping, Loyola University, Le Centre de International de Lafayette, and New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center) to receive a $400,000 grant over three years from the U.S. Department of Commerce to promote four Louisiana industries in Latin America (including the Gulf States of Mexico, Central America, Colombia and Venezuela): oil field services and equipment (including engineering, environmental and industrial services), transportation services and equipment, processed foods, and tourism. The project was not selected, however, as one of the final projects for Commerce Department funding in 1998.

Louisiana Legislature Special Session – The reorganization of the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) was passed, creating five new assistant secretaries and moving a number of supervisory positions back into "working-level" positions. One other item that was passed was the extension of four-cent gasoline tax related to the Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development (TIME) program.

Louisiana Legislature Regular Session – Based on the recommendation of the Government Affairs Committee, WTC President Walker Tucei sent a letter to the Governor and the appropriate committee chairs in the state House and Senate requesting that the Administration’s proposed cuts of the Department of Economic Development be restored.

Louisiana "Rainy Day" Fund - The Committee reviewed a recommendation forwarded from the International Business Committee to write a letter supporting State Treasurer Ken Duncan’s efforts to provide a rainy day fund, a state infrastructure bank and other reforms resulting in greater financial accountability and professional financial management on the part of the state. The Government Affairs Committee decided to defer action until there is a specific bill to consider.

African Growth and Opportunity Act – Jack Walker stated at the June meeting that opposition to this bill, co-sponsored by Congressman William Jefferson and supported by the WTC, had developed from the U.S. textile industry, which is seeking to require U.S. materials content in any textile imports from Africa. As a result, consideration of the bill by both houses of Congress was deferred until next year.

Louisiana International Trade Commission – Commission Chairman Harvey Koch stated that the Commission has four active working committees: transportation, marketing, regulatory and legislative. The Commission’s agenda includes: (1) statewide coordination among international trade agencies; (2) support for the Millenium port; (3) a change in the structure of New Orleans International Airport; (4) creation of an annual Governor’s International Trade Conference; (5) increasing Louisiana exports; (6) increasing foreign investment in Louisiana; and (7) creating a state Department of International Trade. The Commission is trying to arrange fact-finding trips to other southern states that have exhibited successful trade development programs.

Most Favored Nation (MFN) Trade Status with China – The President’s trip to China during the first week of July helped win continuation of MFN trade status for China. In the House of Representatives, a measure which would have revoked MFN status was defeated by a vote of 264-166 on July 22. The defeat means the measure will not go to the Senate, and the trade status will head toward renewal. The U.S. government must grant China and all "non-market" economies a yearly waver to enjoy normal trading relations. To promote better public understanding of a country’s trade status with the U.S., the IRS reform bill signed by President Clinton on July 22 contained an amendment officially changing the term "most-favored-nation status" to "normal trade relations."

International Monetary Fund (IMF) – Developments throughout the year underscored the need for the Administration’s full $17.9 billion request to replenish the IMF’s reserves, which the WTC supported. The Administration supported a proposed $23-billion IMF aid package for Russia. The Russian situation precluded direct U.S. intervention, as nationalist sentiments in the Duma (Russian Parliament) would doom any direct deal negotiated between the two governments. There is also concern that the other global financial powers, including Germany and Japan, will not respond favorably to future requests for funding of multilateral organizations such as the IMF if the U.S. is not willing to act correspondingly. Furthermore, the impact on the world’s financial markets due to the Russian crisis has impacted average citizens in every country, underscoring the need for U.S. action.

Omnibus Trade Bill/African Growth and Opportunity Act – This bill, supported by the WTC and originally aimed to promote trade and private-sector investment in sub-Saharan Africa only, was amended in the Senate to include: "fast track" trade negotiating authority for the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office, Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) renewal, extending NAFTA parity to Caribbean countries under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), and an agreement among OECD countries to end certain government subsidies to the shipbuilding industry. A provision requiring U.S.-made textile material in apparel imported into the U.S. from Africa was advanced by Senator Breaux and a coalition of other textile-state senators. "Fast Track" was separated from the Omnibus bill and lost in a floor vote in the House of Representatives by a vote of 223-180 on September 25. One other component of the Omnibus bill, the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) which provides preferential tariff treatment to over 90 developing countries, was included in the final budget bill approved by Congress. The other components of the Omnibus bill failed to pass this year.

Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) Parity – This issue was advanced in the Transportation Committee. The International Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association has been actively supporting passage of Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) parity legislation which would give Caribbean countries equivalent trade treatment to the U.S.’s NAFTA partners, Canada and Mexico, in most commodity classifications. The Port of New Orleans has traditionally been a leading center for U.S.-Caribbean trade, and the WTC testified to Congress on CBI passage when the issue was first advanced in 1981. CBI parity was attached to the African Growth and Opportunity Act in the Senate, which became known as the Omnibus Trade Bill (see section above). The Committee endorsed the WTC’s longstanding support for the Caribbean Basin Initiative, but CBI failed to pass in the 105^th Congress.

Future Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Forum in New Orleans – Jack Walker met with Mr. George Muńoz, the President of OPIC, at the Southern Governors Association meeting in Puerto Rico in September. Mr. Muńoz indicated his interest in speaking at a future WTC program to discuss Louisiana business opportunities abroad. A luncheon program at the Plimsoll Club featuring Mr. Muńoz is tentatively scheduled for January 21, 1999.

The Chamber’s Washington Fly-In in September – Jack Walker represented the WTC at the Chamber’s Washington Fly-In September 15-16. The Chamber group met with each member of the Louisiana Congressional delegation for briefings which included various trade and transportation issues such as Fast Track, the Omnibus Trade Bill/African Growth and Opportunity Act, the IMF, the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), the Industrial Canal Lock Project, and the proposed Millenium port project being advanced by the Port of New Orleans. Jack met with officials with the U.S. Department of Transportation to set up a speaking engagement for Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater at the WTC. Representative members of the Chamber group, along with Mayor Marc Morial, attended a dinner hosted by the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) regarding the 2000 IDB meeting, which is scheduled to be held in New Orleans.

Baton Rouge Update – Bernie Pinsonat, Southern Media and Opinion Research, reported that he had met with Dan Juneau, President of Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), and LABI will be opposing the Governor’s initiative on allowing the public to put referendums on the ballot. Mr. Pinsonat noted that the proposed Shin-Tech facility in St. James Parish has been moved to Iberville Parish, where it faces little opposition.

Corporate Visitation Program – As a result of the announced Exxon-Mobil merger, a recommendation was forwarded from the WTC’s International Business Committee that Governor Foster be requested to meet with the Board of Director of Exxon, as well as other large corporate investors in Louisiana, to ensure a larger corporate presence in the state and protect current employment. The Committee decided that this was needed in the short-term, but there is also a long-term need for a corporate visitation program on behalf of the state with corporate CEOs and/or Boards of Directors. Committee Chairman Frank H. Walk, Sr., appointed a four-member task force to develop a recommendation for such a long-term program, and the task force is currently cooperating with MetroVision and the Chamber/New Orleans and the River Region to accomplish this goal.